Bhubaneswar: In a renewed push towards sustainable urban transport, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Green Mobility (CGM) to revive the city’s public bicycle sharing (PBS) system and strengthen cycling infrastructure.
Under the partnership, CGM will support BMC by engaging expert consultants for non-motorised transport (NMT)-focused street design, traffic assessment, branding, and supervision of on-ground implementation. The initiative also includes structured training programmes and exposure visits for municipal officials to build institutional capacity in planning and managing cycling-friendly cities.
The move comes against the backdrop of Bhubaneswar’s earlier attempt to promote cycling, launched in 2017, which gradually lost momentum. That effort faced multiple challenges, including the city’s undulating topography, limited last-mile connectivity, and the absence of dedicated cycling lanes, all of which led to low adoption and eventual decline of the PBS system.
Civic officials said the new collaboration aims to address these shortcomings through data-driven planning, better street design, and integration of cycling with broader urban mobility plans. By prioritising safe, continuous cycling corridors and professional project oversight, the BMC hopes to reposition cycling as a viable, affordable, and environmentally friendly mode of transport.
Urban mobility experts view the initiative as timely, especially as Bhubaneswar grapples with rising traffic congestion, air pollution, and public health concerns. If implemented effectively, the revamped cycling programme could contribute to reduced vehicular emissions, healthier lifestyles, and a more inclusive transport ecosystem in the city.
The BMC said further details on pilot corridors and timelines will be announced after the initial assessment phase is completed.
-OdishaAge
