<p>Can Public Bike Sharing (PBS) be a serious last-mile option to and from Metro Stations in the city? As a recent report by World Resources Institute (WRI) Ross Centre under its City Fix platform indicates, PBS has a huge potential for growth. The modal share of cycling in Bengaluru city stood at a lowly 5% and this can only go up.</p>.<p>Here’s how PBS Systems could make a change, as the report states: “About 35% of vehicular trips in India are short trips (less than 5 km) and form a huge potential market that can use bicycles to travel. PBS allows citizens the flexibility of renting and sharing bicycles for short trips at nominal rates, without the hassle of maintaining a personal bicycle.”</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/point-blank/no-land-no-metro-parking-967011.html" target="_blank">No land, no Metro parking</a></strong></p>.<p>Most PBS users travel shorter distances on bicycles (around 2 kms). “PBS schemes located at public transport hubs in areas with low connectivity can help expand the reach of these services by providing first- and last-mile connectivity,” notes the report authored by Prateek Diwan and Anya George.</p>.<p>Besides, through innovative pricing models such as long-term subscriptions, PBS systems provide affordable transit for a wide range of users.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/point-blank/some-stations-can-do-without-parking-lots-not-all-967013.html" target="_blank">Some stations can do without parking lots, not all</a></strong></p>.<p>PBS Systems have been placed at some Metro Stations. But to attract commuters on a large scale, the report suggests greater government investment. “In September 2020, WRI India and the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) conducted a focus group discussion with Indian bicycle operators who underscored the need for greater government intervention in creating infrastructure, setting policies and co-funding PBS schemes.”</p>.<p>More government investments in pilot projects, the report says, could help determine the best financial model for building and maintaining PBS systems in India.</p>.<p>Cycling mode share in Indian Cities</p>.<p>(Percentage of trips of cycles (%))</p>.<p>Ranchi 19%</p>.<p>Surat 16%</p>.<p>Bhopal 13%</p>.<p>Delhi 11%</p>.<p>Hyderabad 10%</p>.<p>Mysore 10%</p>.<p>Kolkata 10%</p>.<p>Bengaluru 5%</p>.<p>Mumbai 1%</p>.<p>Source : Census 2011</p>
<p>Can Public Bike Sharing (PBS) be a serious last-mile option to and from Metro Stations in the city? As a recent report by World Resources Institute (WRI) Ross Centre under its City Fix platform indicates, PBS has a huge potential for growth. The modal share of cycling in Bengaluru city stood at a lowly 5% and this can only go up.</p>.<p>Here’s how PBS Systems could make a change, as the report states: “About 35% of vehicular trips in India are short trips (less than 5 km) and form a huge potential market that can use bicycles to travel. PBS allows citizens the flexibility of renting and sharing bicycles for short trips at nominal rates, without the hassle of maintaining a personal bicycle.”</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/point-blank/no-land-no-metro-parking-967011.html" target="_blank">No land, no Metro parking</a></strong></p>.<p>Most PBS users travel shorter distances on bicycles (around 2 kms). “PBS schemes located at public transport hubs in areas with low connectivity can help expand the reach of these services by providing first- and last-mile connectivity,” notes the report authored by Prateek Diwan and Anya George.</p>.<p>Besides, through innovative pricing models such as long-term subscriptions, PBS systems provide affordable transit for a wide range of users.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/point-blank/some-stations-can-do-without-parking-lots-not-all-967013.html" target="_blank">Some stations can do without parking lots, not all</a></strong></p>.<p>PBS Systems have been placed at some Metro Stations. But to attract commuters on a large scale, the report suggests greater government investment. “In September 2020, WRI India and the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) conducted a focus group discussion with Indian bicycle operators who underscored the need for greater government intervention in creating infrastructure, setting policies and co-funding PBS schemes.”</p>.<p>More government investments in pilot projects, the report says, could help determine the best financial model for building and maintaining PBS systems in India.</p>.<p>Cycling mode share in Indian Cities</p>.<p>(Percentage of trips of cycles (%))</p>.<p>Ranchi 19%</p>.<p>Surat 16%</p>.<p>Bhopal 13%</p>.<p>Delhi 11%</p>.<p>Hyderabad 10%</p>.<p>Mysore 10%</p>.<p>Kolkata 10%</p>.<p>Bengaluru 5%</p>.<p>Mumbai 1%</p>.<p>Source : Census 2011</p>