ISLAMABAD: Work on the much hyped bicycle lane project of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is lying unattended for the last many months with the civic agency saying its design was being improved.

Under the project, the civic agency was supposed to complete 374-km-long dedicated tracks on various roads.

The project was started in March this year but after completion of only 500-metre-long track, work on it was halted.

CDA’s director media Shahid Kiani said the design of the project was being improved with the help of experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Official claims design of project being improved with help of experts from Asian Development Bank

“The project in question has not been shelved; in fact, a significant progress has been made with the project’s design further improved in close consultation with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) keeping in view the international standards.”

He said a prototype design had been finalised, including a plan to develop a mock area from F-10 Chowk to D-Chowk and then to Punjab House to Bari Imam as a pilot phase.

Following the successful implementation of the pilot project it will be extended to other areas.

In December last year, CDA’s Development Working Party (CDA-DWP) approved the PC-I worth Rs2.8 billion under which the project was to be completed in two years.

According to PC-I, the CDA will construct designated lanes along Jinnah Avenue and Khayaban-i-Iqbal and all existing service roads and major roads in 26 residential sectors.

The civic agency will also set up 150 parking lots for bicycles and e-bikes. These parking lots will be outsourced and private firms will offer e-bikes to citizens on rent to ply them on the designated tracks.

The PC-1 stated that the project had been initiated in order to reduce carbon emissions and promote cycling in the federal capital. The CDA said that only 2.73 per cent of the population was above 65 years of age, so the majority was young enough to make use of this project.

“For everyday mobility, a large number of capital residents rely on public transport, such as metro and vans or ride-hailing services,” the PC-I said, adding the project would facilitate people who do not own vehicles by providing them with a safe, convenient and equitable commute option,” stated a working paper of the CDA.

“The aim is to invest in building bicycle lanes on the roads of Islamabad so people can have a viable option of using bikes as a mode of transportation, rather than solely relying on cars. The intended outcome for the project is an increase in uptake of cycling, reduce reliance on cars, GHG [greenhouse gases] emissions from vehicles, resulting in a sustainable, eco-friendly and equitable transportation system in Islamabad.”

It said the project also aimed to introduce e-bikes and mopeds and encourage the use of e-bikes by micro-mobility users, such as food delivery services. It relates closely to Sustainable Development Goal 13 (climate action) by decreasing carbon emissions, improving air quality and mitigating climate change and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) by investing in safe, inclusive and sustainable urban development.

The PC-I stated that Islamabad was an ideal site and the first city in Pakistan with the ideal conditions for setting up cycling infrastructure. The project aims to build ridership for cycling by emphasising the convenience, time efficiency, affordability and health benefits of commuting via cycling.

“The project is a concentrated effort to reduce the amount and impact of greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles and private vehicles.”

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2024