Plans underway for bike lanes in DNCC

Fuad Ahasan Chowdhury, a resident of Azimpur, rides to his office on a bicycle. Rather than renting a vehicle or traveling on public transportation, he prefers this mode of transport as it is less stressful and time saving.When public transportation became a big factor during the Covid-19 pandemic, what made life easy for Fuad is his bicycle, always at hand and easy to maintain social distancing with.

But it's not all positives. A lack of separate lanes in main roads and the uncompromising attitude of motorised vehicle-drivers make cycle journeys in the city risky and uncomfortable -- not just for Fuad, but for cyclists in general.

"Cycling saves two-thirds of my journey time. If we (bicyclists) could get separate lanes, our lives would be much easier," he said. 

Experts and cycling activists attribute the problem to lack of proper planning and separate networking of non-motorised two-wheelers.

In light of this, climate action activists and city planners took the initiative to prepare a strategy paper for Dhaka North City Corporation. Work on the paper started this month and is expected to be completed by October.

The paper -- a voluntary effort by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), VITTI Sthapati Brindo Ltd, WBBTrust, Institute of Architects and Institute of Planners and more, aided by platforms like Jobike and BDcyclists -- has already received DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam's nod.

It is expected to be submitted in November. After receiving it, DNCC will go for its implementation following approval from the city corporation's council, said Iqbal Habib, joint secretary of Bapa.

"Non-motorised transport should become an important mode of transportation in the Dhaka Integrated Transport Plan. We hope to get it expanded to Dhaka South City Corporation, Savar and Narayanganj areas. The DNCC mayor will take initiatives in this regard," he added.

Iqbal said they will prepare the guideline voluntarily and will involve relevant officials of the city corporation. In this regard, a committee has already been assembled and a three-tier working plan is also being prepared.

The plan will focus on finding out the best way to establish a safe bicycle network for the city. It will work on relevant issues such as how the lanes are going to be marked.

Jalal Ahmed, president of the Institute of Architects, said an integrated plan is very important in order to separate motorised and non-motorised vehicles from moving together.

Contacted, DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam said they have asked committee for an integrated plan so that the city corporation can take appropriate initiatives. "In spite of challenges, we will go for an integrated bicycle network as it will be beneficial for the environment and public health," the mayor said.

Bicycles are also considered logistically superior for some cases. "At least 49 percent of trips in Dhaka every day are short-distance ones within two to five kilometres," said Saifuddin Ahmed, executive director of Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust and member secretary of the planning committee.

"If bicycling and walking is given priority, it will help reduce the use of motorised vehicles," he said, which can play an important role in reducing air pollution.

"The world is now rethinking the use of bicycles due to the coronavirus pandemic," Saifuddin said.

Akhter Mahmud, president of Bangladesh Institute of Planners said, "Modern cities are planned by prioritising walking and cycling. Big portions of the city are reserved for that. If we create a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly city, people will be able to move smoothly, safely and in a much more environmentally-friendly manner."