Due to the global pandemic, more people than ever before are considering bikes as their primary mode of commute. As public transport can often be overcrowded and rickshaws can be quite expensive, a two-wheeler may be ideal for those who wish to maintain social distancing without spending more than they used to. However, the benefits of using a bicycle as one’s primary method of transport can be a lot more than just social distancing under current circumstances.
As cycling is a form of exercise, it can be of great benefit to one’s health. It is said to improve cardiovascular and aerobic fitness, boosts energy, lowers blood pressure and builds muscle. By burning calories daily, it will help prevent weight gain and keep your body in shape at any age. Studies have also shown that daily exercise can reduce stress, alleviate symptoms of depression, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep patterns for individuals with insomnia.
Cycling isn’t just good for one’s body but also for the well-being of the planet. In light of the global phenomenon of climate change, a lot more countries are promoting the use of bicycles to its citizens, and for a good cause. Biking has a much smaller carbon footprint than cars or other fuel-based transport. An increase in the use of bikes would mean a decrease in the use of cars, and thus would result in a significant decrease in carbon emissions. Therefore, if more Bengalis adopt bicycles to be their primary commuting mode, Bangladesh could be doing much more to fight climate change. Especially, considering that Bangladesh is one of the nations that are most vulnerable to climate change.
But all this is not without the possibility of unfortunate incidents. Most people don't feel safe cycling on the main roads of Dhaka city, and it is obvious why. They fear that riding a bike among cars and buses would drastically increase their chances of falling victim to an accident, something this city already sees plenty of. And as we all know, in the event of an accident, cyclists are much more vulnerable to severe injury or even death than those inside a car or a bus. For which, most wouldn’t consider a bike as their main mode of commute, as cycling may not be the safest way to travel within the city. Most of those who do use bikes, use them to travel within their neighborhood. In order to get more people to adopt the greener, healthier method of transport, we must first ensure that Dhaka is Bicycle-friendly.
Transforming a city to a bike-friendly one can be tricky, though. A city is said to be bike-friendly when it has an infrastructure that facilitates the use of bicycles. The main roads must contain dedicated bike lanes, which cannot be used by any vehicles other than bikes. These lanes must link up appropriately so that a network of routes is set up around the city, which would enable cyclists to reach from point A to point B safely using a bicycle route, thus separating them from fast-moving vehicles, and potentially preventing fatal accidents. Another important feature of a bike-friendly city is the sufficiency of parking spots for cycles, but it isn't as complicated or expensive. Building enough bicycle parking racks and stands throughout the city can ensure parking for cyclists no matter where they are in Dhaka city.
Transforming a city like Dhaka may not be an easy task and can be a matter of significant investment. Now I am no expert in civil engineering or urban planning, but I believe if we improvise a little, we may end up utilizing more of what we have. During the construction of mega-projects like metro-rail, if we can somehow manage to accommodate some space to set up some basic cycling paths, we may end up spending less than dedicated initiatives for constructing cycling routes.
At the end of the day, a city with a cycling culture could help people stay fit, protect the environment, potentially decrease traffic, all while allowing people to stay socially distant during this pandemic or any future pandemic of similar nature. Considering the substantial progress that could be made once the goal is achieved, we at least ought to do more to research in this area if we are to develop an effective plan. Otherwise, we may be missing out on a much more developed and healthier future for this city.