The Hyderabad Cycling Project was listed as one of the 20 best social projects in the world, by the United Nations (UN) Habitat III Conference held at Quito, Ecuador recently.
In their latest book, ‘Implementing the new urban agenda’, UN Habitat commended Hyderabad Bicycling Club, saying, “Through the unique initiative of HBC, first and last mile connectivity to the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) through bicycles is being implemented.”
Gaurav Gupta, who has joined the club very recently, says “I love to ride since I was a kid. So, when I found out that there is a club promoting cycling in the city, I joined immediately. The whole concept of this club is very interesting. One gets to meet people from various backgrounds during the weekly rides and of course, it helps reduce pollution — both air and noise.”
Another member Tanushree Mandal, who goes bicycling with her husband regularly, is very excited about the new development. “Getting recognised by such a prestigious organisation would definitely attract more people to take up cycling,” she says.
Vijay Bhaskar Reddy Sangem, who works at a software firm and had ridden a bicycle from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, feels that such initiatives would help the environment. “I have been a part of the club for the past two years. This initiative, if taken up by other cities as well, would help reduce traffic. Also, it would help us avoid the situation Delhi is currently facing,” he says.
Talking about the achievement of the club, D.V. Manohar, chairman of the Hyderabad Bicycling Club, says, “It is a great moment for us. I took over as the chairman of the HBC, five years ago. Since then, the number of members of the club has increased from 800 to 12,000. We have created the first ever public bike sharing system in India. We aim to make Hyderabad pollution-free.”
Meanwhile, HBC has opened a model bike station at Nagole Metro station with 20 bicycles. The plan is to provide 10,000 high-end bicycles and e-bikes at all the metro stations and also in some neighbourhoods, at a minimal rate, to the commuters.
