Miscellaneous
Govt urged to invest in cycle-friendly roads
Cyclists have demanded that the government allocate a separate budget to promote and develop infrastructure for cycling in major cities across the country and work towards a sustainable urban transport system.Cyclists have demanded that the government allocate a separate budget to promote and develop infrastructure for cycling in major cities across the country and work towards a sustainable urban transport system.
A group of cyclists and enthusiasts representing Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 and Cycle City Network Nepal met Arjun Kumar Karki, secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport on Tuesday and submitted a letter calling on the government to earmark budget for cycling infrastructure this fiscal year.
The cyclists have demanded the government make the cycle-lane built along the Maitighar-Tinkune road section friendly to the bicycle riders. They have also suggested a separate cycle track in major sections with high traffic like Tundikhel, Bhadrakali, Singha Durbar, Durbarmarg and Kantipath in Kathmandu Valley, along with the Tripureshwor-Kuleshwor-Tribhuwan University section.
In the letter, the cyclists have also asked the ministry to include separate cycle lanes in other major cities, including Pokhara and Biratnagar.
“Roads are largely perceived as absolute space for motor vehicles which means the budget allocated for roads are never expensed on building or improving cycle tracks. We hope that the government prioritises and invests in sustainable urban transport system rather than just widening urban roads,” the cyclists said in the letter.
In the recent times, independent groups of cyclists and urban planners have been lobbying for proper cycle tracks in the Valley in a bid to improve the local environment by mitigating emissions from vehicles.