As part of its initiative to promote cycling in the State Capital, Kohima Smart City Development Ltd (KSCDL) has launched a community-led bicycle rental programme under “Kohima Cycle for Change Challenge”. During initial phase (for a month) bicycles will be provided on rent to citizens to promote cycling culture.
Speaking to Nagaland Post, KSCDL CEO Kovi Meyase explained that the smart city authority wanted to promote healthy lifestyle among the citizens by encouraging them to take to cycling. He said various district authorities and nodal departments would be approached with a plea to make a dedicated cycling lane for a few kilometres “which will be a good beginning”. With Kohima registering for the India Cycles4change Challenge on July 25, the CEO admitted that for a non-cycling city like Kohima, it would be an uphill task but nonetheless they registered for the challenge.
“It is difficult to vie with other metropolitan cities, but we will continue with our efforts and, as mandated by the Union Ministry of Urban Development, we have taken various initiatives to promote cycling in Kohima such as Handle Bar Survey, workshop and free cycle training. Cycles4Change mobile app was also launched,” he said, adding that the first bicycle pump track in the Northeast would be coming up in the next few days.
Speaking about the community-led bicycle rental programme, Meyase said it was a pilot implementation for a month with 10 cycles available for the citizens at a nominal charge of Rs 100 per day. Nodal officer for Kohima Cycle for Change Challenge Atoba Longkumer explained that the challenge, which is an initiative of the Smart Cities Mission, was launched in July this year to encourage cities to take up cycling and promote cycling in response to COVID-19 pandemic.
Informing that Kohima Smart City was collaborating with Nagaland Mountain Biking Association for maintenance and operation of the rental bikes, Atoba said that they were also working out a revenue sharing model for cycling in the city.
Along with 95 other cities, Kohima is taking part in the India Cycles4change challenge, which will run in two stages. In October, 11 cities will be shortlisted and will receive Rs 1 crore award and guidance from national and international experts to further scale up the initiatives in stage two, which will be held until May 2021.