Cycle city Kathmandu - red pepper (UK)

Jennie O’Hara

Read from the Red Pepper

 

Jennie O’Hara meets Nepali campaigners seeking to tackle pollution and inequality by transforming their capital into a cycle-friendly city.

Commuting in Kathmandu is difficult, at best. Taxis are extortionately priced, buses are overcrowded, and the city is big enough that walking is often impractical. Increasingly, people are turning to bicycles as a remedy. Proponents are now emphasising the positive effects of cycling in terms of ecology, Nepali independence and improving safety on the streets. It is a dangerous, yet remarkably political mode of transport.

Unlike campaign groups that focus on the macrocosm of global climate change, Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 focuses on the city itself. Member Shail Shrestha describes Kathmandu’s air as ‘unimaginably polluted’, but adds that this pollution is caused by those who can afford private transport, while those who can’t are affected most – witness for example the many Nepalis who live in shacks on the ring road, a highway that leaves passers-by coughing from the fumes of cars, buses and motorbikes.

Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 sees its campaign as rallying against social inequality. As another member, Rajan Kathet, says: ‘The “have nots” have always been victimised by the “haves”.’ Shrestha believes that Nepal can set an example for other countries to follow: ‘If a developing country does this [promotes cycling], it could be an example for countries that pollute.’

Nepal is currently in the midst of a fuel shortage. Schools, small businesses and organisations are struggling to get fuel for their vehicles. There are mile-long queues at every petrol station. Nepali independence activists claim that fuel dependency on neighbouring India is inhibiting progress in Nepal. The fuel shortage is caused, they claim, by deficit and corruption within the Nepal Oil Corporation, which is entirely dependent on the Indian Oil Corporation—to which it is in debt. In order to eradicate this debt, the Nepali Oil Corporation last week announced they would add 10 Rupees (approximately 9 pence) to every litre of fuel sold. Even in UK terms, this is no small amount. It would make fuel unaffordable for many Nepalis. Fortunately the decision was reversed following a Kathmandu-wide strike at the end of January, led by 13 of the city’s Students’ Unions.

Many social organisations in Nepal talk about ‘improving the country’ in terms of making it fuel-independent. The strike action only implies a general consensus that greater sovereignty would be beneficial. Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 is instead keen to ‘do action’. It deems cycling to be the best way to move away from fuel dependence. Indeed, in the context of a fuel shortage, cycling is being increasingly recognised as a cheap, accessible and non-polluting way to keep the city operating. Cycling in Kathmandu has become synonymous with freedom.

Yet safety remains a major concern. Just a few months ago, the revered wildlife conservationist, Dr Pralad Yonzon, was killed whilst cycling on the road in Kathmandu. Refusing to be scared off by the number of accidents, Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 held a rally to promote better visibility and to encourage more people to use bicycles instead of motorbikes.

Although bicycles are in fact generally safer than motorbikes in Kathmandu, they are seen as less fashionable among younger Nepalis. Shrestha explains that, ‘there is an idea that people who cycle are those who can’t afford [motor]bikes’. By highlighting the number of deaths on motorbikes compared to those on bicycles, the group are hoping to challenge this belief.

Promoting cycling on such dangerous streets is the first hurdle that the group have to overcome. On January 11, the group gained one of their first wins. Following extensive lobbying by activists, the government announced that they intend to build cycle lanes on all roads over 22 metres wide. Meanwhile the number of cyclists in Kathmandu has risen since the start of the campaign.

The group’s main aim is that Kathmandu becomes a bicycle-friendly city by 2020. Along the way, they are making a real difference to regular people’s lives and to Nepal as a whole. With advocates like Kathet and Shrestha, it won’t be long before more Kathmanduites will, as the group’s motto says, ‘ride with pride’.

Real champ cycles for Kathmandu's climate- Republica

Read from Republica

BANDANA SHAH KATHMANDU, Dec 5: Twenty-six year old Shailendra Dangol is a cycle maniac. His hoodie says “I love Cycle Kathmandu”, so does his badge. A little cycle hangs off his key chain, his wallpaper is a cycle and his ring tone is a cycle’s tring-tring. Being the August 2010 British Council’s Climate Champion and a student of Human Resource and Natural Resources studies at Kathmandu University, Shailendra is making significant contributions towards the environment and development as a whole, not only as an individual but involving various groups of people from friends to corporations under his initiation of KTM Cycle City 2020. What did you do as British Council’s Climate Champion? I carried out a project called Climate Corps in 2010, it involved 40 students from four different colleges. It included training programs that taught how one could proceed toward making their attitude, college, and community an environment friendly zone. I consider each of them as an agent of change, youth definitely are change agents if encouraged and showed how opportunities can be created rather than looking for them. Those students have reused huge oil cans as dustbins that can be seen around their college areas. They also carried out various awareness programs on environmental issues. Photo By: Bijay Gajmer How did you become curious and conscious about the environment? Since childhood I was fond of watching Tour de France. I was fascinated by the smooth roads and the sceneries of France shown on television. I too wanted my city to be like that so it brought self-awareness in me. “Be the change you want to see in the world”, said Mahatma Gandhi. This line struck me but I desperately wondered what I could do. We tend to clean our house and throw garbage on the streets but the road is also ours since we pay tax for it. So let us keep that clean too. Wherever I go I keep my wrappers with me if a dustbin is not found. I also scold my friends at college for throwing stuffs in unwanted places. Describe your passion for cycling.  I like playing football, basketball, swimming, and I enjoy outdoor activities like trekking. I have loved cycling since childhood. Although I commuted to school via bus during my school and college years, I often went on trips on my own. Cycling gives me a sense of freedom and fun brought by an adrenaline rush. I would cycle my way through the narrow lanes of Patan and even give rides to my friends and girlfriend. On weekends I cycle up to Nagarkot, Charikot, Nuwakot and other distant places too. I have already visited 47 districts but I desire to see all 75 districts of my country since I also get opportunities to explore. My family and others urge me sometimes to buy a motorcycle and they wonder why I stick to my cycle. Of course a bicycle is cheaper compared to a motorcycle, it needs no fuel, I don’t have to struggle in long petrol lines and a major pro is that it causes zero pollution. It is sad that traffic is not considerate toward people on cycles and they often remain dominated. However, it is amusing when I cycle with my helmet on I’m noticed and given space. Perhaps it is because they perceive me as a tourist or think that my cycle might be expensive. What is KTM Cycle City 2020 about? Along with my friends from Kathmandu University, we initiated this project in 2009. Our aim is to make Kathmandu cycle-friendly by 2020. We have been organizing discussions with students, policy makers, and entrepreneurs, and awareness rallies. We even carry our laptops on our backs while cycling to show that cycling is for everybody and to defy the perceived notion that cyclists belong to the lower economy range. We have been encouraging various corporate houses to use a cycle at least once a week which can drastically reduce unwanted emissions. Superintendent of Police told us in an event that if given a cycle, he would ride it himself and do his duty to promote it. The Resources Himalayan Group supports us immensely by lobbying with the government for a cycle lane to be made in the eight-lane Chakrapath project. We have been taking orders for hoodies and badges that promote cycles and we also provide information about availability, price range, and sustainability. Our fantasy is to see our prime minister and president on cycles which will be a landmark in the history of Nepal. Where do you see yourself in near future? I’m working with youth-led organizations such as International Climate Champions Network Nepal, Tourism Development and Endeavors, and Youth Engagement and Sustainability. I want to stay here and keep working for my country’s development. I believe in entrepreneurship rather than searching for a job.

The Cycle City- ECS Fr!day

read from ECS Fr!day

- Prabal Man Dhaubadel

Chartered in November 2009 by a core group of concerned youths and enthusiastic individuals, the Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 (KCC 2020) has been active in promoting cycling as a means of daily commute beyond its persistent use in recreational activity or extreme sports in Nepal’s scenario. Addressing the environmental concern and the need for development of fundamental infrastructure for cyclists in the urban panorama, the Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 campaign has been organizing annual rallies for the past three years the third Saturday every November.

Pedaling with the motto “Ride with Pride”, KCC, in partnership with Team for Nature and Wildlife, made its maiden journey from Jawalakhel grounds to Basantapur square on 21 November 2009 with the message “Cycling – an Eco-friendly Ride”. Subsequently, the campaign supported upcoming cycling events. The active service they rendered for the expansion and growth of cycling zones and cycle-friendly infrastructure led to a second November rally in 2010. In addition, the team organized another rally “Moving Planet Cycle Rally” a few months back in appreciation of the provision of construction of cycle stands in the City Centre as well as an appeal for a similar facility at Bhatbhateni Super Market. Apart from the rallies, KCC 2020 has also been involved in organizing cyclist discussions and cycle talks. Publishing cycling-based magazines and papers, creating cycling forum, conducting cyclist workshops, and organizing a cycling mela include the agenda for the years to come.

“Our main objective this time is to highlight the basic road infrastructure that should be available for any cycle commuter. A cycle lane, well-facilitated cycle stands, cycle safety, traffic management, and proper cycling environment are a few things we are currently emphasizing on. I know our pace is steady and we are happy with the progress. After all, 2020 is still long down the road. Gradually, by that time, we hope to make the two ends meet,” hopes Shail Shrestha, president of Kathmandu Cycle City 2020. In addition, to achieve the goal of a less polluted Kathmandu, KCC has been promoting the benefits of cycling as to how it contributes to positive health of an individual while reducing the pollution caused by automobiles.

The trend of the “November Rally” continued this year too but with an interesting twist. KCC decided to organize an evening rally – different from the conventional day rallies – the very first of its kind in Nepal. With the theme “Get Visible”, KCC 2020 focused more on cycle lighting and reflective gear for traveling beyond broad daylight. Shailendra Dangol of KCC 2020 shares the idea of organizing this evening rally arose after the unexpected demise of the late Dr. Prahlad Yonzon, a renowned biologist and conservationist. “A stern supporter of the Kathmandu Cycle City concept and a pre-eminent figure in the environmental sector, Dr. Yonzon met with a horrendous cycle accident in the evening on 31 October at Balkhu when he was hit by a truck. In his honor, we decided to dedicate this year’s annual rally to him. Also, we have painted graffiti of a ghost cycle in the accident spot in his memory.” He adds, “Often neglected in the past is the issue of cyclist safety during evening hours and night. So, we made a compulsion for riders attending the evening parade to have headlights, blinkers or any other sort of lighting gear in order to make themselves visible in the dark.”

In a rally that started at 5 pm from Basantapur square on Saturday, more than 150 riders from different associations and cycling groups such as Kathmandu Bike Station, Chain, Chepang Mountain Bike Club, and Epic Mountain Bike, as well as individual cyclists took part. Prakash Dhakhwa, head of Chepang Mountain Bike Club says, “This concept of an evening rally has never been explored before in our country. It is truly a landmark achievement in Nepal’s cycling history. As far as our cycling team’s representation is concerned, we started the club entirely for the fun of cycling during weekends. But after we came to know about the initiatives of KCC, we have constantly supported their events and will most definitely continue in the future too.” Till date, the Chepang Mountain Bike team has been a part of every event hosted by KCC 2020, starting with as few as 12 cyclists to counts reaching 60. Michalis Maroulakin, a rally participant reveals how his profession as a cycle messenger required him to deal with similar conditions for cycling and that the information of this rally was immensely vital to all cyclists who work at night. Apart from their personal lighting gear, the participants also received reflector arm bands. The rally traveled across New Road, Durbar Marg, Sahid Gate, Kalimati, Kalanki, and Balkhu before gathering at Resources Himalaya, the brainchild foundation of Dr. Yonzon where they observed a minute of silence in memory of Dr. Yonzon.

Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 has grown in the past two years and has now declared itself as Cycle City Network Nepal in the nationwide platform. It has indeed done a remarkable job of inducing the thought of cycling for everyday use in our minds. As far as the future is concerned, we strongly hope to witness several other rallies and many more eventful happenings leading to 2020. !

साइकलको चुनौती 'अव्यवस्थित सहरीकरण'- नागरिक दैनिक

Published on: November 24, 2011, Thursday

Click on the image below to enlarge it.

Envisioning Nepal in 2020 Pecha Kucha-the IV edition- Republica

REPUBLICA

KATHMANDU, Nov 22: The fourth volume of Pecha Kucha took place at the Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikuti Mandap, on November 20.

The theme for the night was “Envisioning Nepal in 2020” where participants were to share their views on how they envisioned Nepal in the year 2020 in their respective fields.

........ cyclist Shailendra Dangol imagined “a cycle-friendly, less polluted Nepal in 2020.

Read the full article from Republica

Silhouette photo of KCC2020 member Sailendra Dongol.  Photo By: Prajwal Bhattarai (Republica)

Evening Cycle Rally 2011- 'Get Visible'

by Samriddhi Dhakal

Graffiti by: Anil Udaya Photo By: Samir Maharjan

On November 19, 2011 to mark the black spot, Kathmandu Cycle City 2020- CCNN, made a graffiti of Ghost Bicycle at Balkhu where eminent conservation biologist and nature lover Late Dr. Pralad Yonzon lost his life in a bicycle accident, hit by a truck on October 31, 2011. Every time someone passes by that graffiti will be reminded that a great soul died in that spot in a bicycle accident.

Photo By: Rajan Kathet

On the evening of the same day, from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm more than 100 cyclists joined us in an “evening cycle rally 2011” first of its kind in Nepal. The theme of this rally was “Get Visible”, especially at night. We provided participants with reflectors and safety tips to abide by during night cycling. This overwhelming participation and support from cyclists have further proved our point for cycle safety and necessity of cycling infrastructures on the streets of Kathmandu which is not friendly enough for safe bicycle riding, whether at day or night. However, cycling at night is full of risks: our streets have no sufficient lights, full of potholes, there is no speed limit for riding and no lane segregation for motorized and non-motorized vehicles has been done. Since we had made it a compulsion that everyone come with lights, mass of cyclist illuminated the streets throughout the route of rally.

Late Dr. Pralad Yonzon        (photo by: Rajan Kathet)

At Balkhu, in the spot where Late. Dr. Pralad Yonzon’s accident occurred one minute silence for peace of the departed soul was observed. Then the rally went to Resources Himalayas, brainchild of Late Dr. Yonzon where we paid an homage to him.


We would like to thank Mr. Anil Uday for helping us with the graffiti making. Dr. Sameer Mani Dixit for his support and encouragement, Chepang's Mountain Bike Club, World Cyclists Foundation- Nepal, Nepal Cycling Association- Kavre chapter, Clean Air Network Nepal, Chain Bikes, Kathmandu Bike Station, Epic Mountain Bikes, and all the cycling clubs and enthusiasts who made this event successful.


Kathmandu Cycle City 2020, CCNN

CCNN (KCC2020) members as of November 19, 2011

CCNN (KCC2020) members as of November 19, 2011

Cyclists and the city- Nepali Times

Photo By: Bikram Rai

For cyclists in Kathmandu, the path ahead is full of potholes 

 by Bhrikuti Rai


read from Nepali Times

With the fuel crisis certain to get worse, and an unreliable public transport system, more and more people in Kathmandu are opting for bicycles. Pedal power is actually a faster and more reliable way to navigate through the city's choked roads.


However, given Kathmandu's polluted and precarious road condition and the absence of designated bicycle lanes, bicycles are going to have an uphill ride. Rajan Kathet, an avid bicyclist and the founder of Kathmandu Cycle City (KCC) 2020 says: "The lack of bicycle lanes is the most important factor dissuading people from using bicycles as a regular means of transport."


The group has been lobbying government bodies to build cycle lanes on newly constructed roads and accommodate cycle lanes within existing road networks. Says Rajan: "Everyone on the road tries to overtake cyclists and we are forced to cycle and sometimes walk our bicycles on the pavements."


Motor vehicles ply left, right and center on the congested roads of Kathmandu so cyclists need to be extra cautious. Fellow cyclist Amita Thapa Magar has had numerous close calls. "Cycling is especially difficult at night," she says, "there are potholes and the darkness makes it really dangerous."


Although there are just 9 vehicles per 1,000 people, Nepal ranks 98th out of 178 on World Health Organisation's list of countries with the highest per capita rates of traffic-related deaths. The reason is the lack of adequate space not just for bicyclists or pedestrians, but for vehicles too. The death of noted biologist and devoted cyclist Pralad Yonzon two weeks ago after the bicycle he was riding was hit by a truck on the Ring Road, has focused attention on the dangers that bicycle commuters face.

In 2005 a decision to construct a 44 km long bicycle track in the city after Nepal signed the Velo Mondial Charter and Action Plan for Bicycle Friendly Communities. The charter provided a blueprint and a set of directives to promote bicycle as an efficient, environmentally friendly alternative to motorised transport. Yet, like the proposed bicycle lane from Maitighar to Tinkune which got suspended in early 2000, the plan to build the 44 km bicycle track in the city has been shelved.


"Unless there is serious pressure from the people on the Department of Roads, cycle lanes in Kathmandu will still remain a farfetched dream for cyclists", says Shail Shrestha, president of KCC 2020.


Despite increasing pressure to build bicycle lanes, Saroj Kumar Pradhan, project manager of the Kathmandu- Bhaktapur Road Extension Project says that building new infrastructures to make the city cycle friendly presents an immense challenge. The city's entire transportation system, he says, will need to undergo a major overhaul in order to accommodate a network of cycle lanes.


"It doesn't make sense to just build cycle lanes from point A to point B," Pradhan adds, "each form of transport must complement each other and cycle lanes can be developed systematically."


Cycle city


In an effort to reduce Kathmandu's growing air pollution and promote a cycling culture, a passionate group of youth has set out to make the capital a cycle-friendly city by the year 2020. Kathmandu Cycle City (KCC) 2020. The group was formed by Kathmandu University students in 2009 has been actively promoting cycling through various events and workshops.


To mark their third anniversary, KCC 2020 is organising an evening cycle rally with the theme 'Get Visible' to shed light on the problems of cycling during night time. "Cycling at night carries unimaginable risks," says Shail Shrestha, the president of KCC 2020. The rally will also be a tribute to Prahlad Yonzon, who died in bicycle accident after being hit by a truck in Balkhu two weeks ago. The rally is supported by World Cyclist Foundation-Nepal, Chepang's Mountain Bike Club, Cycling Association- Kabhre, and Clean Air Network Nepal (CANN). The rally will take place on 19 November starting at 5pm.


KCC Facebook page Evening Cycle Rally 2011- Get Visible