Cycle Safe Promoting cycling in Pune by enhancing safety for cyclists A project by Centre for Environment Education, Pune

Aims 1. Understand – Extent to which cycling is a mode of transport for school students – Constraints they face – Concerns of parents 2. Highlight the issues 3. Help plan actions at school level and city level Cycle Safe School Project Discussions + questionnaire survey conducted in 3 schools Questionnaire given to – Students (number) – Parents (number) Discussions – Pre-survey sessions to introduce the survey – Post-survey sessions to present results and help the school formulate some actions

Key Findings – Many students cycle, many want to cycle! How do you come to school? Do you like cycling more than other modes Do you cycle for other reasons? 43% cycle to school regularly 79% Yes! 78% Yes! For tuitions, running errands for fun or play, with friends, cycle races going short distances Kilometers to school Upto 5 km = 91% More than 5 km = 9 % 35% have had accidents while cycling to school

What are the positive and negative aspects of cycling? (only students, only parents, both students and parents) Positive aspectsNegative aspects Physical issues Exercise Keep body fit Build up muscles Keep weight in balance Increase stamina Increase height Maintain health Refreshment Fatigue Exertion Uncomfortable due to weather conditions (rainy season) Issues related to traffic and transportation Cycling is eco-friendly No use of fossil fuels No pollution Uses only little road space and therefore reduces congestion It is time saving because a cycle can cut through heavy traffic Makes less noise than a motor vehicle Lack of road safety (threat of accidents) Lack of road discipline (traffic rules are not being followed) Lack of proper cycle track Road crossings are difficult Other modes of transportation are easier Congestion Cyclists are not being respected by motorists Air pollution Road is not well maintained School has given a free bus ticket

What are the positive and negative aspects of cycling? (only students, only parents, both students and parents) Issues related to cycling itself Fun Cycling with friends Low maintenance Convenient for short distances Cheap Easy Cycling as a hobby Economical Outdoor experience Cycle is slow in speed compared to motor vehicles Cycling is not convenient for long distances Parents do not allow their child to go by cycle or parents are worried Cycle can get lost or stolen A car is a status symbol, a cycle is not Cycling is time consuming Child gets bored by cycling Heavy school bag is difficult to carry on a cycle Cycling for personal benefits Being independent Building confidence Taking up responsibility Developing a sense for traffic Learning to know the traffic rules Learning to know the city Learning self discipline Learning decision making + -

Non-cyclists students - If you cycled to school regularly for some time in past Why did you stop? Physical reasons Fatigue, Exertion, Uncomfortable weather conditions (rains) Reasons related to cycling itself Cycling was time consuming, child got late for school Child was bored by cycling Cycle got lost or stolen Family shifted home and now the distance to school is too short or too long for cycling Other reasons Other modes of transportation are easier School has given a free bus ticket Traffic and transportation related Congestion Lack of road safety (threat of accidents) Lack of road discipline (traffic rules are not being followed) Road is not well maintained There is no proper cycle track Parents do not allow their child to go by cycle

Non-cyclists If you dont prefer cycling: Why dont you prefer cycling to other modes of transportation? (student questionnaire) 19%Motorists are inconsiderate 19%Too much traffic 18%No cycle track 15% Difficult road crossing 3% I dont like polluted air 14%Distance too long 5%Other 2%Weather conditions 2%Dont know which route to take 2%Not cool

Positive aspects Giving way Cooperative Proper Neat Kind Good Ok Negative treatment Not paying attention to cyclists Ignoring cyclists Treating cyclists as inferior Not respecting cyclists Honking Overtaking Going fast Not following traffic rules Not giving way Not giving space Threatening Not stopping Shouting/ Insulting Rushing Inconsiderate Impatient Careless Rude / Harsh Cyclists - How do motorists treat you?

Paud Road Paud Phata Road Karve Road Canal Road Kinara Hotel Describe any difficulty you are facing on your cycle route! More Vidyalya Complex Vanaz Corner Dahanukar Colony Karve Statue Chowk Cummins Karsihma Society Jog School Anand Nagar Ideal Colony MIT School Paud Phata Chowk Dashabhuja Ganpati Temple SNDT College Swad Hotel Nal Stop Explanation Road name Name of a Society/ Chowk/ Landmark Road is not well maintained (holes, obstacles) Difficult road crossing No cycle track or improper cycle track (obstacles/ 2-wheelers/ people on the track) No signal or non-functional signal Congestion

Proper cycle track Motorists should be more considerate Cycle parking Traffic signals for cyclists Better maintained roads Easier road crossings Less air pollution Other What would be a motivation for you to cycle more or to cycle at all? (Students) What would reduce your concerns about your child cycling? (Parents)

Letter to an official representative Dear_______________! We students like going to school on our cycles. Many of us go to school and other places on cycles. However, we do this at great risk to ourselves as cycling is becoming harder and riskier by the day. Not only are the roads in Pune city unsafe and uncomfortable to ride on, but also the kind of secondary treatment we receive by other people on roads does not help us a lot. (…)

Promote Safety Promote Cycling