![]() ![]() The new Equal Streets initiative was inspired by a project in Bogotá, Colombia where a similar experiment has rapidly resulted in better public transport, cycling and walking infrastructure and dedicated walking grids. In 2013-14 alone, 50,000 cars and 94,000 “two-wheelers”, as motorbikes are known locally, took to the roads.Īnd if major infrastructure projects - flyovers, the famous sea link, the Metro rail and monorail projects – have been launched, pedestrian infrastructure has largely been overlooked. Photograph: Anushree FadnavisĪs in all Indian cities, the number of vehicles in Mumbai has soared, with a 55% increase in just seven years. “I have never been able to cycle so freely all my life, taking breaks whenever I like and without worrying about cars speeding next to me,” she said.Ī capoeira session at Sunday’s Mumbai Equal Streets event. One newcomer last week was teenager Sakshi Jethwa, who had travelled more than 10 kilometres on Sunday to rent a bicycle and ride around Linking Road with her friends. ![]() A force of 500 policemen ensured that the cleared stretch stays car free, helps divert traffic and even guides visitors to the various activities that make for the carnival like atmosphere. So far, the authorities have been supportive. ![]() It aims to focus government attention on the lack of footpaths, increasing priority given to motorised traffic and resultant road rage, accidents and pollution. The initiative is part of the Equal Streets movement, promoted by a group of 15 non-government organisations. Children make chalk drawings on the roads, senior citizens settle for a comfortable round of carrom, a local board game, while a folk singer has housewives clapping along to a energising beat. Instead of snarling traffic, there are local people with their bicycles, skateboards, yoga mats and footballs. ![]()
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