Research Posters

A silent revolution: Rapid rise of cycling to school in rural India

Srishti Agrawal, Adit Seth & Rahul Goel

We analyse the levels of cycling, who cycles and how these patterns have changed over time among school-going children in India. We used data from three rounds (2007, 2014, and 2017) of a population-representative nationwide household survey of India, which reported the mode of transport to the school. We conducted longitudinal descriptive analyses of cycling to school by distance, age, gender, and urban and rural geography. We examined the impact of bicycle distribution schemes (BDS) prevalent in multiple Indian states, where the government provides school-going children with free bicycles, on cycling levels. Over the decade, cycling-to-school levels doubled in rural (6.3% to 12.3%) while remaining stable (7.8% to 8.3%) in urban areas. Among the four subgroups (rural/urban x girl/boy), the largest increase was among rural girls (4.5% to 11%). States with the greatest increase in cycling were those where BDS was implemented. The gender gap declined in rural areas through greater increase in cycling among girls and, in urban areas, through greater reduction in cycling among boys. Gender norms, affordability, distance and traffic safety are likely the potential determinants of cycling to school in India.

A Comparative Study of Public Bike Sharing System under the Smart Cities Mission in India

Sobia Ahsan, Nisar Khan & Hina Zia

Indian cities are witnessing a rapid rise in vehicular ownership causing multiple traffic problems like congestion, pollution, accidents, etc. In this direction, many cities are promoting cycling as a mode of non-motorized transport (NMT) to address these problems. Under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) public bike sharing (PBS) is implemented in many cities to promote cycling amongst the residents and tourists. The intent of PBS is to enhance last-mile connectivity, reduce dependence on private vehicles, reduce pollution and congestion, and reclaim urban space for cycling and public life.

This poster presents a comparative study of the PBS system using the cases of three smart cities: Chandigarh, Surat, and Kochi, covering the North, Central, and South of India. The study is conducted on multiple criteria such as lane infrastructure, network coverage, integration, finance, user interface, affordability, etc. The study employs a mixed-method approach, including case studies, interviews, and user surveys.

The study provides insights into how Indian cities can better plan, design, and build urban environments that prioritize cycling, transit, and public spaces over car-centric development.

The key findings of the study highlight the gaps and challenges in the implementation of the PBS system and provide recommendations for the same.

Cycles of Change? Decoding the Experiences of the Recipients of Sabooj Sathi 

Biswadeep Bhattacharyya

Sabooj Sathi, often regarded as one of the flagship schemes developed by the Government of West Bengal in India to encourage students (especially among girls) to pursue higher studies and decrease the rate of dropouts in schools, has distributed over 12 lakh bicycles to students since its inception. In this qualitative research, I aim to decode the complex realities behind the scheme’s implementation, focusing on how it interacts with the socio-cultural fabric of rural communities in West Bengal. Using in-depth interviews, this study reaches out to female students from three rural areas of West Bengal (Jaguli, Mohanpur, and Simhat), ensuring the voices of those most affected by the scheme are heard. The study’s key findings reveal that while Sabooj Sathi has undoubtedly provided a practical tool for improving mobility and educational access for girls, the omnipresence of patriarchy continues to shape their everyday experiences. Many girls report that, despite owning a bicycle, societal norms and restrictions such as safety concerns, harassment, and traditional gender roles, limit their use of bicycles for educational purposes. The research also sheds light on how the scheme, though well-intentioned, may fail to fully address deeper structural issues, such as gender-based violence and the need for a supportive community infrastructure that enables girls to ride freely and safely.

A study on workplace mobility culture and feasibility of “Cycle to Work” initiative in Lalitpur, Nepal

Chandani Shakya, Suman Rai, & Rubin Singh Maharjan

This research project explored the potential of promoting cycling to work in Kathmandu Valley, focused on its environmental, economic, and health benefits. By encouraging a shift from motorized transport to bicycles, this study investigates the current mobility culture and feasibility of "Cycling to Work" in Lalitpur City, Nepal.

Through purposive sampling, 15 workplaces were chosen for this study to examine current available cycling infrastructure, identify barriers to cycling adoption, and current mobility culture and propose solutions for improving cycling infrastructure. A mixed method with 15 key informant interviews, 139 surveys with employees, and observation in the site was used to get the results. Most of the workplaces didn’t have cycle stands and none had provision for changing and showers for the cycling employees. All the workplaces had at least 1 person cycling to work, the majority knew how to cycle but didn’t know about gears that would ease their journey in the terrains of the city. Most people were willing to cycle to work but the barriers were safety, lack of provision, and lack of culture of taking cycling as a dignified mode of transport.

Comprehensive trip end facility, incentives for cycling employees, technical cycling training for gear use and repair, and increased cycling culture were the contributing factors for people to cycle to work.

Tale of Two Wheels 

Jayavartheni Krishnakumar & Namrata Narendra 

Bangalore, amongst other things, is also known to be a cyclist’s haven partly due to its favourable weather and abundant tree cover. However, like many other cities in our country, the infrastructure isn't friendly to cyclists. Despite this, there is no dearth of efforts from citizens and civil society organizations to make cyclists and their needs visible. Formal open cycle days, car-free Sundays, and Cyclathons organized by Residential Welfare Associations and private organizations have gained significant traction over the years and have become a part of the city’s cultural fabric. This is where we root our research inquiry.

Our output seeks to archive communities of cycling practices and informal practices of collectivization that miss mainstream attention. These informal practices sustain the act of cycling by bringing together communities passionate about it, but are seldom seen as a deliberate attempt towards climate or environmental activism, unlike their elite counterparts.

Bengaluru has no specific guidelines or administrative apparatus that regulates cycling. What we do know is that cyclists are a big part of the city's every day. But who counts as one, people who cycle for leisure, ones who cycle to reach a destination, or people whose workplace is their cycle?

Cycling to and in a 'Smart City': Everyday life as evidence for tracing planning gaps

Alokeparna Sengupta & Sohana J Sarkar  

Urban expansions across major cities in India, have resulted in the production of a peripheral territory, interwoven with sharp contrasts in lifestyles and spatial segregation of those with access to ‘world-class’ consumerism from those who do not. These territories demonstrate a mix of hyper-urban lifestyles within wider rural and Mofussil lifestyles. Recent planning practices respond to this and contribute to it through forms such as 'smart city' through predominantly technological solutions.

This study looks at existing cycle usage patterns and new biking practices introduced as part of the smart city planning of New Town, Kolkata. Through in-depth conversations with various stakeholders, tracing of commute to work routes and photographs of user practices, we document the life of a cycling infrastructure consisting of cycle tracks and lanes, an app-based bicycle sharing scheme, a ‘smart’ road and ‘smart’ cycle stands with lockable docking stations.

Claims of ‘eco-friendly' planning visions and 'healthy city' promotions intermingle with utilitarian usage practices of cyclists to showcase the transformation and adaptation of global visions to local interpretations and needs within a wider peri-urban geography. Empirical evidence is thus used to analyse the efficacy of such infrastructure and reflect upon ‘normative patterns of negotiation’ (Latham & Nattrass, 2019) as a way forward for creating successful possibilities of continued infrastructure use over time

Electric bicycle (e-bike) adoption in India: Drivers, barriers, and way forward

Md. Zabiulla, Prasanta Kumar Sahu & Bandhan Bandhu Majumdar

Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are the future of cycling as they can overcome two main barriers of conventional bicycling: riding longer distances and ascending steep hills effortlessly due to the assistance from the electric motor. E-bikes have the potential to substitute motorized two-wheelers and cars for short trips and achieve adequate physical activity recommended by WHO. Despite these benefits, their adoption is still in the nascent stages in India due to various pecuniary, infrastructure, and psychological barriers. To understand the functional and psychological motivations and barriers to adopting e-bikes, we conducted surveys among 1057 non-users of e-bikes in Hyderabad. We found that monetary savings, last-mile connectivity, reduced congestion, and e-bikes for recreation are major perceived motivators, while purchase cost, lack of dedicated cycling tracks and charging facilities, and battery explosion fear are the key barriers. Among psychological determinants, social influence, personal norms, e-bike awareness, and pro-environment attitudes are significant predictors of e-bike use. We observed that those willing to purchase e-bikes are primarily high-income, well-educated males aged 31–50 years, and have commute distances less than 10 km. These findings suggest important policy measures tailored to meet the demands of prospective e-bike users in India. 

A Study on Social Acceptance of Cycling, Peoples Travel Behaviour and Attitude towards Cycling in Lalitpur, Nepal

Rubin Singh Maharjan & Megh Raj Dangal

Shifting people from motorized to non-motorized mobility, like cycling, is crucial due to the rise in private vehicle use. Cycling supports a green economy, but many still prefer motorized vehicles. This study aimed to understand social acceptance of cycling using mixed-methods research. Data were collected through purposive sampling for interviews and convenience sampling for surveys, followed by inferential analysis and cross-tabulation.

The study revealed that while there is generally a positive attitude toward cycling, social norms and perceived barriers remain obstacles, especially for older individuals. Younger people showed greater openness to cycling. Observations also indicated poorly functioning cycling infrastructure, with a lack of public awareness about using new cycle lanes. Most people are in the "preparation" stage of considering cycling, but a lack of confidence in physical ability and terrain challenges prevents them from fully adopting it. Training school students and workers on cycling could foster habit-building and long-term behavioral change.

Fragmentation, Decentralisation and Devolution: Intersection with and impact on mobility in Bengaluru, Karnataka

Varini G 

Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka is an emerging city of global stature. A fact about Bengaluru that goes unnoticed is that it is India’s first post-independence metropolis. My ongoing research focuses on the lack of decentralised decision-making in the effective implementation of active mobility-related policies. I preliminarily argue that a problem hindering Bengaluru’s active mobility is the lack of decentralisation and devolution. I will focus on what the law says about the powers of city governments and study their interaction with policies in place presently.

The DULT released a draft Active Mobility Bill which is yet to be introduced in the assembly. The DULT and the SCM implemented certain pro-cycling schemes for Bengaluru. I argue that parastatal agencies like DULT (and others) and centralised agencies like SCM only hinder the promotion of active mobility. I do so by showing fragmentation in governance and the current city-government policy framework that makes city governments the custodians of the city under the constitution. I further argue that, to make space for active mobility, empowered city governments are the way forward with no interference from Union or State governments because interference leads to fragmentation in governance. Finally, I argue that decisions on space-sharing on the road and equity in road safety are political and cannot be isolated from local politics by centralising decision-making.

The Wheels that Support Education

Aneela Imam 

This poster highlights the crucial role bicycles have played in enhancing young women's access to higher education in India, particularly through state schemes in Bihar and West Bengal. These programs provided bicycles to women from socially marginalised communities who successfully passed their Grade 10 examinations. These bicycles represented more than just a means of transportation - they symbolized hope and resilience amidst numerous structural barriers to education. For many, these bicycles became a lifeline, allowing them to continue their studies in college. However, recent policy changes have shifted to providing money in bank accounts in place of actual bicycles. We shall explore the effects of the policy changes on the educational journeys of young women in the poster.

This poster presentation delves into how bicycles empower women to challenge patriarchal norms, where traditionally men have controlled both social and physical mobility. Through narratives from in-depth interviews with young women from diverse social and regional contexts, this study highlights how access to both education and transportation is intrinsically tied to women’s agency, confidence, and rights assertion. By presenting these lived experiences, the research sheds light on the intersections of caste, class, and gender that largely shape higher education in India and the significant role mobility plays in women’s educational journeys.

A Systematic Review of Micromobility: Global Policy Frameworks and Legislative Implications 

Abhishek Bansal & Rahul Goel

The swift expansion of shared micromobility services, such as electric scooters, electric bicycles, and other microvehicles, has been observed across various parts of the world. Effective policies are crucial for seamlessly integrating and adopting these new transportation modes and emerging technologies. The study presents a systematic review examining global policy frameworks and legislative implications surrounding micromobility services to understand how various regions have developed policies to regulate these services. For this purpose, specific keyword terms related to micromobility and policies were developed, and relevant articles were identified from Scopus and Web of Science (WOS) databases. Further, the screening portal Rayyan was used to screen articles. In the preliminary findings, it was found that countries are implementing policies to regulate micromobility by limiting the number of serviceable operators based on the city size, capping fleet sizes, parking requirements and ensuring equitable access. Further, the policy frameworks were categorised by identifying various typologies such as regional and national levels. National-level policies are mostly concerned with regulations regarding speed limits, vehicle dimensions and legal age for the users, whereas regional-level policies tend to focus on parking provisions, use of cycling infrastructure and economic regulations such as fares by the operators. The study suggests the need for tailored policies for micromobility according to geographical variations that are aligned with the requirements of users, operators, and public authorities.

Studying the Effect of Traffic on the Wayfinding and Spatial Knowledge of Schoolchildren in Pune 

Tanzeel Allapur

Building upon the work of Bruce Appleyard, who explored how urban traffic conditions impact the cognitive development of spatial knowledge in schoolchildren in the USA, this study examines the same phenomena in an Indian context. Conducted in four schools across Pune, the study involved 300 children aged 10-15 years. As urban congestion increases, understanding how traffic shapes children's perceptions of their surroundings and their ability to navigate urban spaces is vital.

The research employed a cognitive mapping exercise, where participants sketched their daily routes from home to school without external prompts or visual aids. This child-led approach captured their natural understanding of their environment. Students also noted key landmarks, their modes of transportation, and identified areas where they felt unsafe or encountered traffic-related hostility.

The results offer important insights into how children experience and navigate their urban surroundings. The study underscores the influence of traffic on children's spatial awareness and safety, contributing to the broader discourse on creating child-friendly urban spaces that promote cognitive and emotional well-being. These findings have implications for urban planning and the design of livable streets in rapidly growing cities like Pune.

A Cycle for the City

Kinshuk Kandpal 

India has a far greater population, which cycles compared to the US. However, the cycle has been increasingly tied to centralised planning, funding, and narratives, making it a force of gentrification that may alienate the cycle from the real cityscape by sketching out a faux normal. Such policies have resulted in local policy entrepreneurs and community spaces being sidelined and generally short-term funding for improperly targeted projects envisaged as separate from the existing city transport. The study aims to present an integrated model based on a multi-level perspectives theory (MLP) that sets up a deep leverage point regarding system design. The model creates a community engagement space and reconfigures thought by supporting and making a network out of the existing cycle shops, which are a hub of subaltern and minority interactions. The model engages zonally concerning the creation of cycle storage and e-cycle sharing systems, where the approach focusing on attracting demand will be shunted in favour of catering to the demand of the critical mass already present. Finally, emphasis will be on developing cycle lanes simultaneously and in conjunction with public transportation projects to help solve the last-mile transportation problem. This would present the cycle with a unique but ‘normal’ space integrated into existent mobility spheres, which can be expanded.

‘Pedalling’ on the journey of sexuality: Tracing ‘bicycling’ in Indian narratives

Kumari Ruchi & Smita Jha

“If I learn to ride a bicycle, I will turn from gay to straight” (Vasudhendra 2016, 35); a young boy firmly believes in Vasudhendra’s Mohanaswamy. Bicycle riding is seen as a symbol of masculinity, virility, strength, and machoism, and most of it is now found in bike riding in India. The correlation between bicycling and sexuality projects the relationship between hypermasculinity and sexuality. Thus, the macho symbolic representation of bicycling and bike riding entails the flawed requirement of compulsory heterosexuality and hypermasculinity in men. One who does not know how to do bicycling, especially among teenagers, defies the traditional parameters of being a ‘man’. The proposed poster draws the story of a boy in a technical college in India and depicts the impact of machoism related to bicycling, further converting towards the notion of sexuality. Through this narrative, the role of family and ‘ideal’ masculinity will be assessed in the life of a boy for whom bicycling becomes more than a hobby or a sustainable skill. It attempts to answer the question of how the contorted notion of bicycling impacts confidence and behaviour, injecting the false definition of being a ‘man’ and compulsory heterosexuality in an impressionable teenager. 

Metro Ridership and the Willingness to Use Bicycles: A Gendered Perspective

Nerika Mishra

A study of Kochi's Metro ridership produced an interesting outcome wherein more than 50% of the commuters were female. One identified explanation was the lack of alternatives like bikes, scooters, and cycles available for women. In contrast to the case in Kochi, several other metro cities have displayed higher ridership amongst men than women. This ‘unavailability’ of other modes of transport along with the ‘unwillingness’ to use certain modes of transport itself is dependent on the individual’s social position within the household, the community, and the city. In order to contextualize the same against the background of multi-modal transport systems and integrated urban transport systems, this poster examines the willingness to use alternate private modes of transport like bicycles with a specifically gendered lens in Indian Metro Cities. The poster will aim to define the correlation between willingness to use modes of transport like bicycles and the willingness to use modes of transport like metro systems.

Navigating everyday hazards: Cycle as a mean to resist, cope in fluvial geographies, A case study of Assam

Bikash Chetry 

The everydayness of disasters are catastrophes that reoccur routinely in the same locations with longer periods of recovery that get incorporated with the risks or uncertainty of communities that characterize everyday life. Assam is one of the worst flood-prone states, with severe risks for flooding and riverbank erosion as the state, is home to the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers. These rivers and their tributaries two have contributed to an integral part in not only the transformation of the state but also the creation of the state's natural landscapes, livelihood, identity and lives of the Assamese people. When disaster strikes, individuals exhibit different abilities and approaches to response, and the impacts of floods are observed in diverse ways. Though communities from the fluvial geographies are presented as helpless ‘victims’ who are unable to bear the effects of catastrophes, their wants and needs, risk and resistance mechanisms tend to go unnoticed before, during, and afterward the disasters. Communities' susceptibility to disasters is influenced by different variables, including types and severity of disasters, and socioeconomic status, that are beyond coping capacity that reinforces. Hence, in these geographies bicycles act as an important means to navigating disasters, especially in Char and Chaporis areas that are filled with sands and especially during flood and river bank erosion. This paper is based on the ethnographic account of understanding disaster and its everydayness through bicycle in different seasons not only by the respondents but also the researcher will provide an ethnographic vignette to understanding everyday disaster and community means of resistance, coping and contesting from the twin process of floods and riverbank erosion in the state. The paper will use a walking ethnography and post-colonial scholarship to understand the causes and effects of disasters.