Recently, Paris claimed the top spot in the Cycle-Friendly City Ranking 2025, released by the Clean City Campaign. A city once notorious for traffic congestion and polluted streets, Paris has achieved a remarkable transformation, becoming a model for cycling infrastructure and sustainable urban mobility. What makes this transformation particularly interesting is how Paris, often referred to as a well-planned European city, contrasts with cities like Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, India. Jaipur, known as the ‘Paris of India, shares a deep historical and urban planning connection with Paris. However, when it comes to promoting cycling, Paris significantly outshines Jaipur.
Jaipur, with its meticulously planned streets designed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, exhibits grid-like symmetry that resembles the urban planning principles of Paris. Yet, despite the potential for a more cycle-friendly environment, Jaipur’s infrastructure remains predominantly car-centric, limiting the role of cycles in the city’s transportation system. This disparity highlights the need for urgent reforms in urban planning, particularly with the celebration of World Bicycle Day on June 3rd, an annual event that underscores the importance of bicycles in promoting a sustainable, healthy, and environmentally friendly future.
World Bicycle Day and Its Significance
World Bicycle Day, officially recognized by the United Nations in 2018, is a celebration of cycling as an affordable, inclusive, and eco-friendly mode of transportation. The day draws attention to the crucial role bicycles play in achieving global sustainable development goals, not only by reducing carbon emissions but also by addressing urban congestion and improving public health.
For cities like Jaipur, which are struggling with traffic congestion, air pollution, and an overburdened transport system, cycling presents a simple yet effective solution to these problems. Bicycles reduce traffic, improve air quality, and promote a healthier lifestyle for citizens. World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that walking and cycling infrastructure is essential to achieve health equity, a goal that could significantly improve the quality of life in India’s cities.
Bicycles in India: A Rising Need Amid Urbanization
India, with over 1.4 billion people, is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. As the nation grapples with rapid urbanization, rising pollution levels, and a failing transportation infrastructure, the bicycle has seen a resurgence. Cycling is being recognized as an affordable and time-saving alternative to cars, particularly in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, where traffic jams are a daily struggle. But beyond saving time, cycling has a much broader significance, especially in a country like India, which faces some of the highest air pollution levels globally.
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution in India causes millions of deaths each year, and poor air quality is a major contributor to diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and respiratory conditions. Cycling is a low-emission alternative to cars, and by promoting cycling in cities, India could significantly reduce its carbon footprint and address public health concerns. Furthermore, cycling is an affordable solution for low-income citizens, offering a way to navigate cities without the high costs of motorized transport.
Jaipur: A City in Need of a Cycling Revolution
Jaipur, with its wide roads and ample space, seems like an ideal candidate for becoming a more cycle-friendly city. However, the reality is far from ideal. Cycling has become increasingly unsafe, especially after 7 am, when traffic begins to peak. Major roads like JLN Marg are relatively safer compared to others, such as Tonk Road, Mahal Road, Ajmer Road, Jhotwara Road which remains hazardous for cyclists due to heavy traffic and lack of infrastructure. Even though Jaipur has the potential for dedicated cycle lanes, the authorities continue to prioritize road expansions to accommodate faster motorized traffic. This motor-centric development mindset not only increases the risk of accidents but also contributes to pollution and urban congestion.
In addition, poorly designed urban spacessuch as overbridges and elevated roadsare often inaccessible to cyclists, further discouraging cycling. A growing bias against cyclists among motorized vehicle users has also emerged, as the lack of cycle lanes leads to unsafe interactions between cars and bicycles.
Jaipur Needs to Become a Cycle-Friendly City
A cycle-friendly city is not just about accommodating cyclists. It’s about creating safer streets for everyonechildren, women, and the elderlywhile promoting a healthy lifestyle and reducing environmental harm. A city designed with cycling in mind would encourage citizens to adopt more sustainable modes of transportation, thus reducing the uses of motorised vehicles.
Steps Toward a Cycle-Friendly Jaipur
To move toward a more sustainable and cycle-friendly Jaipur, several steps need to be taken:
- Infrastructure Development: The construction of dedicated cycle lanes is the most urgent requirement. These lanes should be well-integrated into the broader city infrastructure, including safe parking facilities for bicycles.
- Policy Incentives: The local and state governments should incentivize cycling by offering subsidies for bicycle purchases, establishing Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) schemes in different parts of the city, instead of few VIP places.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Increasing public awareness about the benefits of cycling is key to changing mindsets. By highlighting the environmental and health benefits of cycling, citizens will be more inclined to use bicycles as their primary mode of transportation.
- Integration with Technology: To enhance the cycling experience, Jaipur could benefit from apps that provide real-time updates on bicycle availability, safe cycling routes, and parking facilities. Such technology would make cycling more convenient and accessible for everyone.
- Inclusive Urban Planning: City planners should prioritize creating inclusive spaces that cater cyclists, pedestrians, children, and elderly people. This would ensure safer and more equitable public spaces for all citizens.
It is an opportune time for Jaipurand Indian cities to rethink their approach to urban mobility. Cycling offers a solution to many of the pressing challenges facing cities, from traffic congestion to air pollution and public health issues. On World Bicycle Day 2025, let’s not just celebrate the bicycle but commit to making it an integral part of our daily lives. It’s time to pedal toward a better, more sustainable future for Jaipur and for India.
- Amar Deep Singh
(The author is Senior Programme Officer at CUTS International, a global public policy research and advocacy group)
