Active Mobility: Cyberabad DCP Shilpavalli discusses benefits, challenges of new initiatives
In conversation with the only female DCP of Cyberabad, K. Shilpavalli, here is what she had to say about the initiative - Active Mobility.
By Anoushka Caroline Williams Published on 3 March 2023 5:14 AM GMT
Hyderabad: According to numerous studies, Hyderabad is one of the most livable cities. In order to reduce the risk of all potential air pollution-related harm, Hyderabad is aiming for a pollution-free, congestion-free, healthy, and happy environment through the adoption of Active Mobility, which includes cycling, walking, and public transportation. There are four stakeholders involved in influencing Active Mobilityāgovernment, community, companies, and NGOs.
Society can continue to focus on including the community in cycling and walking, as well as implementing the #15MinutesCity programme in which all citizens can cycle and walk for all local transit less than 5 km from their homes. In conversation with the only female DCP of Cyberabad, K. Shilpavalli, here is what she had to say about the initiative.
What is Active Mobility?
Active mobility, soft mobility, active travel, active transport, or active transportation is the non-motorised transportation of persons or objects based on human physical activity. Walking and cycling are the most well-known types of active mobility, but other modes, include running, rowing, skateboarding, kick scooters, and roller skates. Cycling is frequently classified independently from other types of active mobility due to its prevalence.
What can we achieve by promoting active mobility?
Policies that encourage active mobility tend to enhance health indicators by boosting physical fitness and lowering rates of obesity and diabetes, while also lowering consumption of fossil fuels and hence carbon emissions. These strategies have been shown to result in significant increases in active transportation for commuting. According to studies, city-level programmes are more beneficial than encouraging individual active mobility.
What are the health benefits of active mobility?
Active mobility has a number of health benefits, including lower energy consumption and production, as well as increased quality of life. Active transportation, in general, reduces the risk of deadly diseases caused by pollution and environmental hazards. Physical mobility benefits health by reducing automobile pollution. Yet, inactive and sedentary lifestyles can lead to unfavourable health consequences. Because of the numerous health benefits, we propose expanding access to active transportation for everyone, including children. Physical exercise improves both mental and physical health.
What steps is the government taking to promote active mobility?
Some measures we have taken include adjustments to road infrastructure to allow more bikes and pedestrians, rules to limit car traffic, and education and training to promote cooperation between motor vehicles and those who use active mobility. Wider sidewalks, street lighting, and urban greenery, particularly with access to parks, have all been linked to greater active mobility. Cycling, in particular, necessitates additional infrastructure development in order to see a significant increase in utilization, including:
Bike lanes: A separate lane on a conventional road allocated for bicycles by signage and street markings.
Bicycle stations: Dedicated parking areas for bicycles, especially at metro stations.
What are the common challenges you have faced in promoting this initiative?
I see the challenges as a two-way street. On one side, we need to influence the government for implanting bicycle infrastructure and active mobility infrastructure. The second track is to get more and more people engaged so that everybody without a cycle gets and owns one. But these two tracks, one influencing the government and getting more people to adopt cycling or walking, cannot go without each other. They have to be implemented in parallel. Infrastructure is a big hurdle. Many people fear that they cannot come out on the main roads.
