Punjab cycles its way to eco-friendliness

The Tribune, Bathinda Edition, Punjab, 1st October, 2007 http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071101/bathinda.htm#2

Punjab cycles its way to eco-friendliness
By Navdeep Asija
Fazilka, October 31The number of bicycle users in Punjab is among the highest in the country, proving amply that people here understand the meaning of sustainable development.
According to an analysis conducted by Navdeep Asija of Fazilka, who has done his Masters in Geotech and Geo-environmental Engineering from IIT Delhi, cycle density per 10,000 people in Punjab is the highest compared to states that have a similar terrain and geographical conditions, except for the hill states. His research is based on the 2001 census.
State Loves To Pedal
A study says that cycle density per 10,000 people in Punjab is the highest compared to other states.
Asija's analysis reveals that as per capita income in the states is going up, the number of cycle users is going down. This is the trend in states like Haryana, Maharashtra, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
But Punjab has shown an altogether different trend. Despite the fact that Punjab has the maximum per capita income (as per 2001 data), after Goa, the Punjabi's love for the bicycle has not gone down. Almost every second occupied household in Punjab has a minimum of one bicycle.
The high density of non-motorised mode of transportation proves that Punjab is moving ahead as far as ecologically sustainable development is concerned. \n\u003cp\>In Punjab, there are 1,257 cycle users for every 10,000 persons while in Haryana, it is just 835 users per 10,000 people. \n\u003cp\>A research conducted by Urja Purash of Uttarakhand Dr Bhupinder Singh, a retired professor at IIT Roorkee, reveals that to burn one litre of fuel, 15.2 kg of air from the atmosphere is needed. \n\u003cp\>Based on this, if we consider the average daily length of a cyclist's trip as 5-6 km in a day; then one cycle user is saving half a litre of fuel and 7.6 kg of fresh air. Therefore, the high density of cycle users in the state is also contributing to the preservation of environment a daily basis. \n\u003cp\>Other states, which have a lower but comparable result in terms of cycle density, are Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. It is so because of lower per capita income, between Rs 5000 to Rs 7000 per annum, as modes of motorised transport can be an expensive affair. Punjab is equally attracted to other modes of motorised transport but here, bicycle has not been ignored by the people. Cycling is a simple way towards improving public health. With more people taking to bicycles to commute, communities experience reduced traffic snarls, improvement in air quality and greater physical fitness, all beneficial to people.

The high density of non-motorised mode of transportation proves that Punjab is moving ahead as far as ecologically sustainable development is concerned.
In Punjab, there are 1,257 cycle users for every 10,000 persons while in Haryana, it is just 835 users per 10,000 people.
A research conducted by Urja Purash of Uttarakhand Dr Bhupinder Singh, a retired professor at IIT Roorkee, reveals that to burn one litre of fuel, 15.2 kg of air from the atmosphere is needed.
Based on this, if we consider the average daily length of a cyclist's trip as 5-6 km in a day; then one cycle user is saving half a litre of fuel and 7.6 kg of fresh air. Therefore, the high density of cycle users in the state is also contributing to the preservation of environment a daily basis.
Other states, which have a lower but comparable result in terms of cycle density, are Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. It is so because of lower per capita income, between Rs 5000 to Rs 7000 per annum, as modes of motorised transport can be an expensive affair.
Punjab is equally attracted to other modes of motorised transport but here, bicycle has not been ignored by the people.
Cycling is a simple way towards improving public health. With more people taking to bicycles to commute, communities experience reduced traffic snarls, improvement in air quality and greater physical fitness, all beneficial to people.