DDA announces ‘cycle-sharing system’ to check pollution

 The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Tuesday announced the approval of <g data-gr-id="33">cycle-sharing</g> policy for the national Capital to promote <g data-gr-id="34">use</g> of bicycles for last-mile connectivity and reduce pollution and vehicular congestion in the city.

Cycle-sharing scheme, popular in European countries, allows sharing of a bicycle between multiple users. Unlike ‘rent-a-cycle’ scheme, where the hired cycle has to be returned by the first user, the sharing system allows the same cycle to be used and returned by multiple users. Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung, in his capacity as the Chairman of the <g data-gr-id="39">DDA</g> has approved the policy.

“A policy recognising bicycle-sharing-system as a mode of public transport in Delhi was approved by the Authority. It will be a form of public transport where bicycles can be taken on rent for a short duration and can be returned on any station close to the destination of the person hiring the cycle. It is different from cycle renting, <g data-gr-id="41">as</g> in the case of renting, the cycle has to be returned at the same point from where it has been hired,” said a senior official.

Talking about function of the police, the official said: “A dense network of stations across the coverage area, with a spacing of approximately 300 metres between stations for access within three minutes walk will be administered. Radio Frequency Identification devices (RFIDs) will be installed to track wherefrom a cycle has been picked up, and <g data-gr-id="36">where</g> returned, and the identity of the user.

There will be smart card integration, called as common mobility card, wherein, through a single card, public transports, including Metro, all types of buses, auto-rickshaws, taxis, feeder vans and cycle sharing systems can be used. This will ensure integration between various modes of transportations and also encourage cycle as a mode of public transport.”

In order to facilitate operationalisation of Land Pooling Policy properly, the DDA also announced to modify it. “Five modifications in the policy were approved. The farmers, land owners having less than 2 hectares of land will be given an option to avail transferable development rights in the form of 150 FAR for their land.