3 days ago
A Decade On, Brakes On Bike-Sharing Despite Foot On The Pedal
Nagpur: For over a decade, Nagpur has pursued the vision of becoming a cycling-friendly city, drawing inspiration from global models like Paris and Amsterdam. Public Bike Sharing (PBS) has been a consistent part of the city's Comprehensive Mobility Plans (CMPs).
Despite the repeated push — and Rs47.5 crore proposed over three CMPs — the city still awaits a fully functional system.
The concept was first introduced in the 2013 CMP, with Rs11.5 crore allocated for 79 docking stations across the Nagpur Metropolitan Region (NMR), including 70 sub-stations and 9 major docking hubs, which was prepared by NIT back then. In 2018, MahaMetro prepared the CMP and carried the idea forward, proposing 84 stations — again 9 main and 75 sub-stations — strategically placed near Metro stations and key bus terminals, with an estimated cost of Rs12 crore.
Now, CMP 2025 revisits the plan on a larger scale, with a Rs24 crore budget and 120 proposed locations citywide.
Despite these plans, the city saw little on-ground change. Independent efforts, including the bike-sharing partnership between MahaMetro and private operator VIPL, also failed to make an impact. This pattern of repeated proposals and limited implementation raises questions about feasibility, execution, and long-term planning.
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by Taboola
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However, officials maintain that lessons were learned and that CMP 2025 will mark a turning point. A senior official told TOI, "Whenever we look at successful PBS models globally, one key element stands out — dedicated Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) infrastructure. This includes separate cycling lanes, wide footpaths, and safe, encroachment-free pedestrian zones. These are the foundations we're prioritising in the new plan.
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He also outlined the adoption of the 'Hub & Spoke' model in the latest blueprint. "In this model, we ensure major docking stations are supported by sub-stations within a 2–3 km radius. For example, someone exiting a Metro station can pick up a cycle there and drop it near their home, where a sub-docking station will be available. From there, a clean, walkable footpath will lead them home. The goal is to make the system seamless and city-wide, not clustered in pockets," he explained.
While the intent remains strong and the vision ambitious, the on-ground reality has not kept pace. For Nagpur's PBS scheme to succeed, it will need more than allocated budgets — it will require consistent execution, public awareness, behavioural shifts, and infrastructure that supports non-motorised mobility.
With CMP 2025 laying renewed focus on integrated planning and last-mile connectivity, stakeholders remain hopeful. The question now is whether Nagpur can finally move from planning to pedalling.
