Why People Refrain from Cycling in Indian Cities:: A Comparative Investigation

Abstract

In comparison to many bicycle-friendly European cities, Indian cities are not popular for their bicycle-friendly environment. The absence of basic infrastructure is cited as the primary reason for such a situation. This study aims to understand this phenomenon at a micro scale by comparing two European cities, namely Amsterdam and Copenhagen and two Indian cities, Chandigarh and Noida. This research uses the ‘comparative case study’ approach to evaluate two planned Indian cities against these two successful European examples. The purpose of the study is to understand Indian people’s reluctance for cycling through a comparative spatial study. With an emphasis on cycling, the new planned cities in India supposedly provide more opportunities to cycle to its citizens. It is assumed that people choose to cycle in a city under various conditions. These conditions have been assessed by identifying suitable indicators and collecting data through a secondary survey. These indicators are grouped together in three attributes physical, environmental and social. The collected data from each city is compared and analysed to comprehend the existing situation and draw appropriate conclusions. This study highlights many non-conventional parameters to understand people’s reluctance to cycle in the Indian cities. The research will help to understand the limitations in Indian cities through a comparative analysis of successful European cases.