Kathmandu Cycle City 2020

Real champ cycles for Kathmandu's climate- Republica

2011-12-06T04:17:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-06T04:08:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-24T02:22:00.000-08:00

Published on: November 24, 2011, Thursday

Click on the image below to enlarge it.

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

2011-11-22T01:15:00.000-08:00

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'

2011-11-20T22:49:00.000-08:00

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

Cyclists and the city- Nepali Times

2011-11-20T21:59:00.000-08:00

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

साइकल जसले लक्ष्य पहिल्याइदियो- हेलो शुक्रबार (कान्तिपुर)

2011-11-17T19:30:00.000-08:00

निभेष दुगर
gypsygopsy@gmail.com

read directly from कान्तिपुर

click on the image to enlarge it....

Published on November 18, 2011 in 'Kantipur Daily'

Evening Cycle Rally 2011- 'Get Visible'

2011-11-10T04:39:00.000-08:00

Time:                 Saturday, November 19 · 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Location:           Kathmandu Valley
Organized By:   Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 - Ride with Pride!!
Supported By:     World Cyclist Foundation- Nepal (WCF), Chepang's Mountain Bike Club, Cycling Association- Kavre, and Clean Air Network Nepal
Theme:              Get Visible
Route: Basantapur - New Road Gate - Jamal - Durbar Marg - Ratna Park - Sahid Gate-Tripureshwor- Bhate Bahal - Kalimati - Soalti Mode - Kalanki - then the spot of accident- Balkhu - Sanepa Heights - Resources Himalaya!!!!!

"Let's get visible and pedal in the darkness !!!"

This is an evening cycle rally, initiated by Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 - Ride with Pride!!, Cycle City Network Nepal, to raise voice against insecure traffic condition and insecure streets of the Kathmandu Valley especially for bicycle users who pedal in no light. The rally will also bid farewell to noted wildlife biologist Dr. Prahlad Yonzon, who died in bicycle accident, hit by a truck, at Balkhu.

"Official Invitation for the Rally" designed by Munu Maharjan Shrestha

Cyclists should try their best to Get Visible during evening time so as to minimize bicycle accident. Normally bicycles have got no lights and it's very risky to pedal in crippling streets of Kathmandu Valley. Provision of light either through street lights or by cyclists themselves could only minimize accident risks.

IT'S COMPULSORY THAT YOU COME WITH A CYCLING LIGHT, HEADLIGHT OR OTHERS...

Visit About This Event In Facebook

"Official Poster of the Rally" designed by Sudin Tamrakar

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साइकल चलाउनेहरु दुःखी - Nagarik News

2011-11-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

Read From Nagarik News

गिरीश गिरी, काठमाडौं, कात्तिक १६

२०६८ कात्तिक १५ मा भएको साइकल दुर्घटनामा दिवंगत संरक्षणविद् स्वर्गीय प्रल्हाद योञ्जन

साइकल किचिएर सोमबार निधन भएका प्रल्हाद योञ्जनजस्तै भूषण तुलाधरको कार्यक्षेत्र पनि एउटै हो- वातावरण। दुवैले अमेरिकाबाट पढेर फर्किएपछि काठमाडौंको धुलोधुवाँलाई साइकल हाँकेर चुनौती दिन खोजे। उनीहरूबीच अर्को समानता पनि छ- रुटको।

'योञ्जन सानेपा कार्यालयबाट सीतापाइला घरसम्म साइकल हाँकेर ओहोरदोहोर गर्थे,' तुलाधर मंगलबार भन्दै थिए, 'म कीर्तिपुर घरबाट खसीबजार, सानेपा हुँदै पुल्चोक कार्यालय आउँछु।'

कलंकीदेखि सानेपासम्म एउटै बाटो प्रयोग गर्ने यी दुई 'पाइडलबाज'हरूको प्रायः सडकमै भेट हुन्थ्यो र हात उठाएर अभिवादन गर्थे।

'हिजोको घटनाले भने मनमा थप त्रास उत्पन्न भएको छ,' तुलाधर भन्दै थिए, 'यो ट्रक र बसको आतंकले भरिएको रुटप्रति वितृष्णा जागेको छ।'

सहरी क्षेत्रमा जति पनि सडक सम्बन्धी योजना र व्यवस्थापनका काम हुन्छन्, त्यसमा गाडीलाई मात्र ध्यान राखिएको हुन्छ। जबकि सडकको सम्पूर्ण व्यवस्थापन मानवकेन्द्रित हुनुपर्ने उनको तर्क छ। 'साइकल हाँक्ने वा पैदल हिँड्नेहरू प्राथमिकता त परको कुरा, योजनाकारको सोचाइमा पनि किन पर्दैनन्?' तुलाधर प्रश्न गर्छन्, 'मुलुककै महत्वपूर्ण व्यक्ति गुमाएको यो घटनाबाट थोरै मात्र शिक्षा लिइदिए पनि राहत महसुस हुन्थ्यो।'
...

वन्यजन्तु संरक्षणमा दक्षिण एसियाकै विज्ञ प्रल्हाद योञ्जन र दन्त चिकित्सक निल पाण्डेका बीच कुनै साइनो छैन। साइनो छ त एकै सहरका साइकल चालकको। फेसबुकमा साइकल चढ्दाको हेलमेट पहिरेको तस्बिर राख्ने उनै डा. पाण्डेले मंगलबार स्ट्याटस अपडेट गरे, 'साइकलमा ओहोरदोहोर गर्ने डा. योञ्जनको निधनले दुःख लागेको छ। मुलुकले एक वातावारणविद्को ठूलै नोक्सानी बेहोरेको छ। साइकलका निम्ति हामीले छुट्टै लेन बनाउन किन सकिरहेका छैनौं? यो कति मजाको सानो सहर छ जसलाई हामी सजिलै साइकल सहरमा रुपान्तर गर्न सक्छौं। म सफा, हरियाली र सुरक्षित काठमाडौंको सपना देखिरहेको छु। तर...'

...

सातामा एक दिन भए पनि साइकल हाँकेरै कार्यालय जाऔं भन्ने अभियान डेढ वर्षदेखि काठमाडौंमा चलाउँदै छ- बाइक फ्राइडेले। सुरुमा १५ साथी मिलेर थालिएको यो अभियानमा अहिले सयभन्दा बढी सदस्य छन्- कति चिकित्सक, सञ्चारकर्मी, अधिकांश बैंकर।

अभियानका आरम्भकर्ता प्रसन्न केसी साइकल हाँक्ने मात्र नभई समाजलाई केही दिऔं भन्ने योजना पनि बुनिरहेका हुन्छन्। केहि समयअघि उनीहरूले पाटन दरबार क्षेत्रमा दुई दर्जनभन्दा बढी सौर्य किरणबाट बल्ने बत्ती बालिदिए। आजभोलि त्यहाँ कहिल्यै अन्धकार हुँदैन। समाजबारे फरक किसिमले सोच्ने युवा आफैँ भने भयभीत भएर सडकमा गुज्रिरहेका हुन्छन्।

'काठमाडौंमा साइकल हाँक्नेको अवस्था साह्रै दयनीय छ,' प्रशन्न भन्छन्, 'कतिसम्म भने कसैले हिर्काइदिएर ठहरै भए पनि 'ब्याड लक' भनेर चित्त बुझाउनुपर्छ।'

यति भनेर जिम्मेवारी अर्काकै पोल्टामा हाल्नु पर्छ भन्ने पनि उनलाई लाग्दैन। 'सरकारकै भर पर्नुपर्छ भन्ने छैन,' प्रशन्न भन्छन्, 'वातावरण मात्रै मिलाइदिने हो भने अलिअलि गरेर हामीले साइकल हाँक्ने बाटो स्वयं निर्माण गर्थ्यौं।'

साइकल दुर्घटनाको ठूलै समाचार फैलँदा घरबाट बढ्ने साइकलविरोधी दबाब सामना गर्न कठिन पर्ने उनी सुनाउँछन्।

'त्यसै पनि हामी साइकल चढ्नेको संख्या पातलो छ,' उनले भने, 'त्यसमाथि सोमबारको जस्तो घटनाले अप्ठ्यारो पारिदिन्छ।'

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काठमाडौंका सडक कस्तो बनाउने भनेर चिन्ता गर्ने पदमा बसेका छन् देवेन्द्र डंगोल- महानगरपालिका सहरी विकास विभाग प्रमुख। 'बिग्रेभत्केका सडकलाई टालटुल पार्नमै हामी अल्भि्कएका छौं,' डंगोलको उल्टो गुनासो छ, 'साइकल लेन बनाउनेबारे महानगरपालिकाले सोचेकै छैन।'
काठमाडौंको कुनै सडक पनि साइकल चलाउन सुरक्षित नरहेको उनी स्वीकार्छन्।
'साइकल चलाउनेलाई केही गरौं भन्ने हाम्रो चाहना छ,' उनी भन्छन्, 'तर, कस्तो सडक चाहिन्छ भनेर अहिलेसम्म अध्ययनै भएको छैन।'

साइकलमैत्री पूर्वाधार निर्माण गरेबापत सिटी सेन्टरलाई कदरपत्र

2011-10-18T04:45:00.001-07:00

राजन कठेत

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आज सेप्टेम्बर २४, २०११ का दिन विश्वभर जलवायू परिवर्तन र वातावरण संरक्षणसम्बन्धी जनचेतना जगाउन मनाइएको 'मुभिङ प्लानेट' नामक कार्यक्रममा साइकल र साइकल पूर्वाधारको प्रवर्द्दनमा २ वर्ष अघिदेखि लागिपरेको 'काठमाडौं साइकल सिटी २०२०' नामक युवा समूहले वसन्तपुर क्षेत्रबाट पाटन दरबार स्क्वायरसम्म साइकल र्र्याली सम्पन्न गरेको छ । विश्व साइकलयात्री ...पुश्कर शाहले नेतृत्व गरेको उक्त र्र्यालीमा १३० जनाभन्दा बढी साइकल यात्रीहरूले सहभागिता जनाएका थिए, जसमा सबैभन्दा बढी सहभागिता चेपाङ समूहको थियो ।

आजकाल काठमाडौँमा देखिने साधारण र्र्यालीहरूभन्दा केही पृथक ढङ्गले आयोजित उक्त कार्यक्रममा यो समूहले केही तारिफयोग्य कामहरू गर्ने जमर्को गर्यो । साइकललाई वातावरणमैत्री साधनका रुपमा प्रवर्द्दन गर्ने कामका साथसाथै यसै कार्यक्रम मार्फत यो समूहद्वार आयोजित र्र्यालीले साइकल पूर्वाधारमा जोड दिएर आफ्नो हाताभित्र प्रशस्तै साइकल स्ट्यान्डहरू निर्माण गरिसकेको 'एन एल आइ सी सिटी सेन्टर'लाई कदरपत्र प्रदान गर्यो । साथसाथै पाटनमा अवस्थित भाटभटेनी सुपरमार्केटमा पुगी त्यहाँको हाताभित्र साइकल पूर्वाधार निर्माणका निमित्त भनेर अनुरोधका साथसाथै प्रस्तावपत्र पनि पेश गर्यो ।

त्यसपछि र्र्याली पाटन दरबार स्क्वाएरमा पुगेर सहभागीहरूलाई प्रमाणपत्र वितरण गरेपछि अन्त्य भयो ।

Moving Planet Day Celebrated

2011-10-18T04:43:00.000-07:00

by Rajan Kathet

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Today, September 24th, 2011, the world celebrated the global day of climate action by 350 Campaign. The theme for this year was: Moving planet, A day to move beyond fossil fuel.

Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 Group (KCC 2020), a Nepalese youth network with a dedication to improve the quality of environment, health and infrastructures by promoting the use of eco-friendl...y means of transport, the bicycle, organized CYCLE RALLY led by World Cyclist Pushker Shah to mark a global day of climate action. The rally was done to promote cycle as an eco ride and cycle infrastructure in different public premises.

More than 130 cyclists participated in the event to mark the day; among them Chepaang group had majority participants. KCC2020 handled a “LETTER OF APPRECIATION” to NLIC CITY CENTER, a shopping mall, for a well planned cycle infrastructure in its premise. The rally also submitted a “PROPOSAL LETTER” to BHATBHATAINI (Patan) Shopping Center for the construction of cycle stands. The rally ended at Patan Durbar Square after distributing certificates to the participants.

Walking, cycling and politics

2011-10-18T04:26:00.000-07:00

from The Kathmandu Post

by Anil Bhattarai

SEP 26 -
Only cycling and walking can save Kathmandu from becoming the most polluted place on earth, if it has already not become one yet. But cycling and walking are not just some technical issues. They are intimately tied with the issue of justice and, therefore, it is decidedly political issue of our time. We can strive to change hearts and minds of individuals so that they could ride bicycles or walk, but we also need to simultaneously work on changing our public priorities.

Look at the streets on any ordinary day in Kathmandu (or wherever in Nepal) and ask: who walks and cycles, and who poisons the air? But beyond the immediate class divisions between those on their feet and those on their seat lies the increasingly inescapable fact that, even those who consider themselves powerful inside their motorised entrapment have not escaped unscathed as their heart is weakened, lungs get choked and mind gets blurred in the poisoned air and deafening noise.

In some of my essays in the past, I have argued that bicycling and walking have to be centrally factored in Kathmandu’s public transportation management. Kathmandu is small place and it has relatively compact settlement. It has reasonably flat surface and the weather allows for pleasant walks and cycling throughout the year.

I sometimes imagine myself sipping coffee or beer right on the Kantipath or Baneswor streets, with the major roads closed off for motorised traffic, and bicycle and pedestrian pathways put in their place. There is no honking, just the gentle swish of air as bikers ride by, or occasional howling of wind. There is no smoke or dust to kill our lungs and hearts. I know those days are way far off and you can even call me a dreamer, but the more I think about this, the more it has become clear to me that there is absolutely no other way if we

want to make Kathmandu a livable place for its citizens. Given the size of the place and size of its populations, there is no way hyper-motorisation will take care of the mobility needs of most in the city. Where will we build roads? How will we get increasingly costly and globally dwindling gasoline? These are additional questions.

There are now very inspiring groups of people campaigning for livable Kathmandu. Not the least among them is this motley group called Kathmandu Cycle City 2020. They have inspired similar groups outside of the valley—in Pokhara, in Chitwan, in Butwal and, perhaps, in man other places. On 24 September this year, this group organised a cycle rally. This rally was one of the over 2000 events around the world coordinated by 350.org under the slogan: ‘Moving Planet, a day to move beyond the fossil fuel’. Over a hundred cyclists rode their bicycles from Basantapur square to Patan durbar square. The group then felicitated NLIC City Center for creating bicycle friendly infrastructure in their premise and moved to Bhatbhateni supermarket to request its management to do the same. I hope Bhatbhateni listens to their call. I hope others in town also do.

Their cycle rallies had attracted several hundreds in the past, but on any normal day in town, these cyclists would be outnumbered by those on motorbikes or cars. What was very significant during the September 24 rally was, however, not the number itself. Immediately after the ralley, Rajan Kathet, one of the KCC2020 members, posted the group’s communique. “More than 130 cyclists participated in the event to mark the day,” it read. “Among them Chepaang group had the majority.”

There was the catch. A few bicycle entrepreneurs, some ecologically-minded young people and some university students have been at the forefront of promoting bicycle in Kathmandu. What does the involvement of Chepaang group signal in this?

A lot. For most of Chepaangs, and many other groups in Kathmandu, bicycle and/or walking are the only means of moving around town. The way the present public bus system works in Kathmandu, people have to pay multiple fares to reach from one place to another. Paying for taxis with their super-inflated meters is beyond the capacity of most in town. For those who do not make big income, spending money on highly fragmented public bus system amounts to sizable proportion of one’s income.

If geography is destiny, Kathmandu can be among the most livable cities in the world. I am not talking fantasy here. Canada’s Toronto, where I have been studying for the past three years, is under snow almost five months of the year. This year, it was unusually hot during summer, with near-Nepalgunj summer temperature for several days in a row. And compare that with Kathmandu. Although it has begun warming up quite a bit lately, it is never like Nepalgunj even during the peak summer days. Snow is rare, once-in-a-generation event in the valley itself. If it were not for the fragmented transportation system, among many other things, Kathmandu can be much more pleasant to live in than, let’s say, Toronto.

The fact is geography is not destiny and we have Kathmandu, despite great geography, turning into increasingly unhealthy place to be in. The major culprit are our fragmented transportation system. And this system is the direct result of our polity with its misguided priorities, naked corruption and ignorance about the need of citizens. Without transforming this polity, we can’t have cycle and feet friendly Kathmandu.

Anil Bhattarai
anilbhattarai@gmail.com

Nepali youth dream of making cycle city

2010-11-24T11:12:00.000-08:00

by Sweta Baniya

See from Xinhua

KATHMANDU, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- "Hundreds of the participant completed the cycle rally on Saturday which is one of the positive note for us," said Rajan Kathet, Communication Coordinator of the Kathmandu Cycle City (KCC) 2020 in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Saturday.

Nepali youths leading the campaign "Kathmandu Cycle City 2020" conducted a grand cycle rally titled 2nd annual cycle rally on Saturday in the capital.

A group of young students from Kathmandu University have started campaign called Kathmandu Cycle City (KCC) 2020 for making the capital Kathmandu, a cycle friendly city by 2020.

Inaugurating the cycle rally, Nepali world cyclist Puskhar Shah talked about the importance of the cycle in the life in terms of issues like environment, health and economy.

He shared how cycle has been important part of his life as he toured the whole world and reached the top of the world in his cycle.

Hundreds of enthusiastic cycle users participated in the cycle rally conducted by the KCC.

The cycle city campaigners are actively organizing lots of environmental campaigns with the message of go-green-rides.

"Our rally has been a huge success as per our preparations", founding member of the KCC and Communication Coordinator of the campaign Rajan Kathet said.

He added that the participants had committed to support in our campaign and that is a great honor for us.

"We are aiming to encourage cycling as eco-friendly and economically efficient means of transportation," Kathet said.

Talking to Xinhua, spokesperson of the group Shail Shrestha said that they will now go on for making other city in the country as cycle cities. Our dream is to make cycle cities across the nation, he added.

He said that with the success of the rally they have been more encouraged to work further for the promotion of the cycle use, environment protection and many other related issues.

The cycle rally this year was aimed at pressurizing the government and the respective bodies to take effective actions on the 44 km long cycle track in Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

The Nepali government was to construct a 44 km long cycle track according to a pact signed in the Velo Mondial Charter and "Action Plan for Bicycle Friendly Communities" held in 2005.

A group of participant screamingly said that they will commit for conserving the environment with the use of their cycles.

Editor: Xiong Tong

Nepali students promote bicycle-friendly city to save earth

2010-06-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

Feature:
2010-06-29 19:11:29

Sweta Baniya

KATHMANDU, June 29 (Xinhua) -- As the issue of global climate change is widely concerned, a group of Nepali students have joined their hands to promote the use of bicycles in order to save the environment.

A group of students from Kathmandu University have started a campaign called "Kathmandu Cycle City (KCC) 2020" for making the capital a bicycle-friendly city by 2020.

KCC 2020 campaign was supported by Team for Nature and Wildlife, a non-governmental organization working on different fields of environmental conservation.

Talking to Xinhua Tuesday, Rajan Kathet, founding member of the KCC and Communication Coordinator of the campaign, said they aim to encourage cycling as an eco-friendly and economically efficient means of transportation.

There are 12 members from different colleges in their core committee, and more then 700 member cyclists are on their contact list.

Kathet said it was very hard for them to convince general public of using bicycles.

"It is also because of the social stereotypical concept that bicycle indicates poverty, and it isn't fashionable among youths in Nepal," he added.

Spokesperson of the group Shail Shrestha said that Nepal is geographically cycle-friendly and that many people especially in the plains (Terai region in southern Nepal) ride bicycle.

Nowadays cycling has become a prominent adventure sports in Nepal with more tourists attracted to it, he added.

Kathet and Shrestha both said that they saw an urgent need to act over the issues of the environment as the number of vehicles in the capital Kathmandu Valley keeps rising at a fast pace.

"Our aim is to promote cycling for short-distance travel and commute and at the same time conserve our environment," they said.

The group has been organizing various programs of cycle rallies to increase awareness among general public and encouraging them to use cycles in the daily purpose.

The group recently conducted a cycle rally on the occasion of World Environment Day and previously they have been conducting various cycle rallies on different events.

Shrestha said that they plan to conduct a series of school presentation to remind the students of cycling and its multidimensional benefits.

"We are also planning to conduct different sports events like cycle races, cycle festivals and other events involved youths," he said.

Upon answering a question regarding the success of the campaign, Shrestha said, "Of course 10 years is a long period but the project includes inclusive planning in every transport network in the city, which is definitely time consuming."

"We are not just working for forming cycle lanes in the existing roads but also other cycle infrastructures in the newly- built roads," he added.

सस्तो र सटिक विकल्प

2010-03-06T20:17:00.000-08:00

नरेन्द्र रौले

Read from Nepal Saptahik

काठमाडौँ उपत्यकामा रहँदा उनी पेट्रोलियम पदार्थबाट चल्ने सवारी साधन नचढेको छ वर्ष भयो । कुनै चोकमा उभिएर गाडी कुररिहनु पर्दैन, न त पेट्रोल भर्न लाइनमा बस्नुपर्छ किनभने उनलाई साइकलले आकषिर्त गरेको छ । साइकल नचल्ने ठाउँमा उनी बरु पैदलै पुग्छन् माइक्रो, बस, मोटरबाइक वा अरू त्यस्ता सवारी साधन चढ्दैनन् । उनी हुन्, काठमाडौँको कोटेश्वर बस्ने बिके दलित, २९ । चार हजार रुपियाँ परेको साइकलमा उनी कोटेश्वरदेखि चाबहिलस्िथत आप्mनो कार्यालय टिम फर नेचर एन्ड वाइल्डलाइफको कार्यालयसम्म ओहोरदोहोर गर्छन् । जस्तोसुकै जाम होस्, उनको यात्रा पूरा हुन २० मिनेटभन्दा धेरै समय लाग्दैन ।

वातावरण क्षेत्रमा काम गर्ने संस्था इन्फोका सल्लाहकार भूषण तुलाधर, ४३, पनि निरन्तर साइकल प्रयोग गर्ने अर्का व्यक्ति हुन् । तीन दशकयता भूषणले साइकलको प्रयोग गर्दै आएका छन् । साइकलको प्रयोग उनलाई आरामदायी लाग्छ । सस्तो र सजिलो पनि । भर्खरै नबिल ब्यांक छाडेर मेगा ब्यांकको प्रमुख कार्यकारी अधिकृत बनेका अनिल शाह र टोयोटा कम्पनीको नेपाल प्रभागका अध्यक्ष सुरज वैद्य पनि साइकलप्रेमीका रूपमा उदाएका छन् । आ-आपmनो क्षेत्रका ती दुई हस्तीले कार्यालय आउँदा-जाँदा कहिलेकाहीँ साइकल प्रयोग गर्न थालेका छन् ।

पछिल्ला दिनहरूमा उपत्यकामा साइकलप्रतिको आकर्षण बढ्दो छ । यसका प्रयोगकर्ताहरूको संख्यामा पनि वृद्धि हुँदै गएको पाइएको छ । धनी-गरबि हरेक वर्गको रोजाइमा पर्न थालेको छ, साइकल । यसका पछाडि थुप्रै कारण छन् । बेफाइदा खासै केही छैन । फाइदैफाइदा मात्र छन् यसका । साइकल चढ्न लाइसेन्स लिनुपर्दैन । पार्किङ् समस्या पनि हुँदैन । सवारीका अरू साधनहरूभन्दा साइकल सस्तो, सजिलो र बहुउपयोगी पनि छ । बाक्लो सवारी मार्ग होस् वा गल्ली, साइकल चढ्दा त्यो लाममा कुर्नुपर्दैन । बजारमा पेट्रोलियम पदार्थको हाहाकार भएका बेला टाउको दुखाउन पनि पर्दैन । चाहेको ठाउँमा तोकिएको समयमै पुग्न सकिने । गाडी भाडा पनि बचत हुने । जानकारहरूका अनुसार, एउटा कार बनाउने औजारबाट ७० देखि १ सयवटासम्म साइकल बनाउन सकिन्छ ।

साइकल चढ्नुको अर्को ठूलो फाइदा हो, वातावरणमा स्वच्छता । साइकलको प्रयोगले मधुमेह, मुटुरोग, क्यान्सर र आन्द्रारोगीहरूलाई पनि फाइदा पुर्‍याउँछ । डाक्टर यादव गुरुङका अनुसार, वयस्क व्यक्तिले प्रतिसाता कम्तीमा तीन घन्टा शारीरकि अभ्यास गर्न आवश्यक हुन्छ । साइकलको नियमित प्रयोगले त्यो सहजै पूरा हुने गर्छ । स्वास्थ्यका लागि क्रियाशील हुनुपर्छ भन्ने नारा दिएर मुभ फर हेल्थ नामक समूह स्थापना गरेका डाक्टर गुरुङ हरेक साता २५ जना सहकर्मीसहित साइकल चढेर कहिले गोदावरी, कहिले दक्षिणकाली त कहिले नगरकोट पुग्छन् । भन्छन्, "साइकल चढ्दा मानसिक तनाव कम हुन्छ । स्वास्थ्यलाई पनि राम्रो गर्छ ।"

ठमेलमा बग्रेल्ती पसलहरू छन्, जसले केही समयका लागि भाडामा साइकल दिन्छन् । दिनको ९ सयदेखि १ हजार ५ सय रुपियाँ तिरेर साइकल भाडामा लिन सकिन्छ, ती पसलहरूबाट । प्याकेजका रूपमा उपत्यकाबाहिर अन्नपूर्ण, मुक्तिनाथ, ल्हासा क्ष्ाेत्रमा जान ९ देखि १५ हजारसम्म भाडामा पाइन्छन्, उपयुक्त साइकलहरू ।

साइकल सिटी २०२० समूह

वातावरणप्रति सचेत केही युवाहरूको समूह हो, काठमाडौँ साइकल सिटी २०२० गु्रप । राजन कठेत र शैल श्रेष्ठले ०६६ साउनमा यसको स्थापना गरेका हुन् । काठमाडौँ विश्वविद्यालयमा अध्ययनरत युवाको प्रमुख सहभागिता रहेको छ यस समूहमा । काठमाडौँ उपत्यकामा साइकलको प्रयोग बढाउने र सन् २०२० सम्म साइकलको सहर बनाउने उनीहरूको लक्ष्य छ । वातावरण प्रदूषण कम गर्ने तथा सहरलाई सभ्य, सुन्दर र व्यवस्िथत बनाउनेे उद्देश्यले सो समूहको स्थापना गरएिको कठेत र श्रेष्ठको कथन छ । समूहको नेतृत्वपंक्तिमा १६ सदस्य रहेका छन् । समूहले स्कुल र कलेजहरूमा साइकलसम्बन्धी चेतना जगाउने कार्यक्रमहरू सञ्चालन गररिहेको मात्रै छैन, विभिन्न अवसरमा साइकल र्‍यालीको आयोजना पनि गर्छ । विश्व साइकलयात्री पुष्कर शाहलाई ब्रान्ड एम्बेसडर बनाएर उनको सगरमाथा चढ्ने अभियानमा पनि सघाउ पुर्‍याउने काममा जुटेको छ, काठमाडाँै साइकल सिटी २०२० गु्रप ।

Poison in the air

2010-01-26T03:21:00.000-08:00

Read this article from The Kathmandu Post

Anil Bhattarai

JAN 25 -
Ride a bike if you are a man enough, ride a bicycle if you are a human enough!! — Kathmandu Bicycle City 2020.

Air pollution is a major killer in Kathmandu. Even if most of us know this, we need to keep repeating this because there is no other way to shake the complacency of many who know but don’t act. But there are many who don’t know the truth and they need to be informed. Because most of this is the direct result of lack of good public transportation, lack of a good network of bicycle paths and excessive promotion of private forms of motorised mobility, the health problems arising out of the appalling air pollution cannot be addressed without fundamentally shaking up the transportation system itself. This transformation can come only with very strong and organised citizen’s initiatives that espouse the value of liveability of a place. In that respect, the initiatives of young people organised around Kathmandu Bicycle City 2020 need big public support.

There has been an alarming increase in heart diseases and heart-related deaths among the young and old in Kathmandu. On Dec. 16, 2009, in the report on the untimely death of anthropologist Saubhagya Shah, Nagariknews referred to Bir Hospital’s heart specialist Dr. Prakash Raj Regmi as saying that there has been an alarming rise of heart problems among young people in Kathmandu during the last some years. The death of Nepal’s noted TV anchor Indra Lohani on Jan. 16, 2009 had sparked panic among Kathmandu’s young ones and had shaken their complacency. In January 2010, Nepal Weekly magazine ran a cover story on the rising heart-related deaths and illnesses in Kathmandu — both among the youth and old. The sale of pharmaceuticals, expansion of heart specialty clinics and hospital records all attest to the fact that there has been an unmistakable spike in the incidence of heart problems in Kathmandu.

A few years ago, Clean Energy Nepal (CEN) and Environment and Public Health Organisation (ENPHO) analysed the multi-year data from Kathmandu’s three major hospitals: Teaching, Bir and Patan. Between 1992 and 2002, the air pollution level measured in terms of the concentration of air particles of various sizes increased 10 times on Kathmandu’s major thoroughfares. This is the direct result of vehicle exhaust. We can imagine how the situation has become by now. The CEN and ENPHO analysis shows that between 1995 and 2000, the number of patients admitted to Patan Hospital has doubled. Expectedly, there has been a very significant increase in the proportion of heart patients in the total patient loads of the hospitals during the same period.

This is consistent with many other researches from other parts of the world. In an analysis of six cities in the U.S. in the early part of the last decade, people who lived in polluted cities died earlier than their counterparts in less polluted cities. Another study examining 250 metropolitan areas from around the world consistently showed that there was a direct correlation between pollution and the number of heart attacks. Salt Lake City in the U.S. provided a dramatic example of the linkage between heart problems and pollution. When a steel mill in the vicinity of the city was closed for several months, there was a 4-6 percent reduction in overall mortality, most of that from heart problems. When the mill resumed operation, the mortality level went back up to the previous level.

Among all this, a 2005 study carried out by researchers from New York University, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the University of Michigan produced perhaps the strongest ever connections between pollution levels and heart problems. This research divided 28 mice into two groups: one group fed on normal diet and the other on high-fat diet. Over six months, half in each of the two groups breathed filtered clean air while the other half breathed polluted air within the limit set by the Environment Protection Agency where the air pollution was equal to that in New York City. The results were dramatic. The level of plaque, cholesterol and inflammation of the heart vessels was significantly higher among mice that breathed polluted air as compared to those who breathed clean filtered air. Those who were fed a high-fat diet that breathed polluted air had an even more dramatic level of heart problems than those who were fed a normal diet and who breathed filtered air.

Kathmandu’s air is far more polluted than that of New York City. And there are many other things at play in Kathmandu. The sense of insecurity among most in the city is perhaps the highest at present. Most youth lack optimism regarding future life prospects. Food habits have changed dramatically with an increasing level of alcohol consumption, smoking, processed foods and high-fat meat-based diets. The long line of young people in front of Kentucky Fried Chicken is the most symbolic of this trend. Motorised mobility and declining open public spaces have dramatically reduced available public spaces for physical exercise. All these factors are surely adding to the situation already made worse by the abysmal level of air quality. It is clear that we cannot provide good health to the population when much of the organisation of that society is bad. In other words, a healthy Kathmandu cannot be imagined without addressing the issue of building a largely non-polluting transportation system in the valley.

Fortunately, in terms of its geographical size, Kathmandu is perfectly placed to address this problem in some innovative ways. At the centre of the solution has to be promotion of bicycles and walking to be backed up with a public transportation system to be set up by imposing very high taxes on privatised modes of transportation. I am not sure how well this proposal will go down with Kathmandu’s middle and upper classes who have invested themselves with polluting privatised forms of mobility. If we promote this, we might be spearheading the creation of perhaps the most liveable city in South Asia. Kathmandu does not have to be this ugly, this polluted and this unhealthy. It is not by chance that all this has happened.

As the group Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 says on their web log, besides promotion of mobility for the majority, bicycles can address many other things simultaneously. It can address health problems both by reducing air pollution and by promoting physical exercise. It can address the problem of global warming by reducing the consumption of fossil fuels that need to be transported across the mountain ranges. It can address independence by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels as well as motor vehicles that come from outside. Bike paths can also be great public spaces for Kathmandu’s children who are deprived of public spaces both in school and in their residential neighbourhood. But accepting bicycles as an important means of mobility requires a good public policy that gives priority to both liveability and mobility of a large section of Kathmandu’s population. In other words, there is no short cut to good health of Kathmandu’s population other than creating a good and liveable city.

anilbhattarai@gmail.com

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साइकल ट्रयाक

2009-12-23T19:25:00.000-08:00

Read from Kantipur

पुस ६ मा 'चौतारी' मा छापिएको जिष्णु सुवेदीको 'आकासे साइकल ट्रयाक' मा प्रस्तुत भएको काठमाडौं सहरको अवस्था र साइकलको सार्थकताको खुलेर प्रशंसा गर्न चाहन्छु । गरिब यात्रुको यानको रूपमा नेपाली समाजमा चिनिएको 'साइकल' समय सान्दर्भिक साधन हो । साइकलको प्रयोग आर्थिक अवस्थाको संकेतमात्र नभएर वातावरणीय चेतनाको सूचक हो ।

म 'काठमाडौं साइकल सिटी २०२०' को अभियानकर्ता हुँ । मैले साइकल चलाउन थालेको ३ महिनाभन्दा बेसी भइसक्यो । मलाई यो अवधिमा साइकल हुइँक्याउन काठमाडौंका सडक कहिल्यै साँगुरा लागेनन् । साँगुरो त यहाँको मन छ । केही दिन सडकमा सामान्य बानी बसाएपछि साइकल राम्रोसित कुदाउन सकिन्छ । त्यसपछि न जीउ दुख्छ न सडक साँगुरो लाग्छ र न त गन्तव्य नै टाढा लाग्छ । यी त बाहनामात्रै हुन् ।

- राजन कठेत
काठमाडौं

___________________________

यो बखत

2009-12-07T04:30:00.000-08:00

राजन कठेत

देश समस्याहरूबिच जाकिएको कुरामा धेरैजसो विज्ञ नै छन् । समयले ईमान्दारिताको राजनीति गुहारिरहेको छ । कार्यतत्परता अहिलेको मूख्य आवश्यकता हो । को राजनेता, को मानवअधिकारकर्मी, को वातावरणकर्मी, को नागरिकसमाज र को जनता अहिले सबैको सक्रिय सहभागिताबिना देशको उत्थान सम्भव देखिँदैन । कठीन सिँढीमा चढ्न हरेकले आफैँ खुट्टा उचाल्नु पर्ने बेला आईसकेको छ । अब हिँजोको सोच बदल्नुपर्छ । जलवायू परिवर्तन र वातावरणीय क्षय, अपकर्ष र अवनतिका बारेमा दोषारोपण सहित ठूला-ठूला भाषण गर्नुभन्दा अगाडि पेडल घुमाएर जिम्मेवारी बोध गर्नु यो बखतको अपरिहार्यता देखिएको छ ।
Read all

Bike Away

2009-12-03T09:46:00.000-08:00

Read from Wave magazine

FROM ISSUE # 168 (December 2009)

Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 organised a cycle rally on 21 November. World cyclist Pushkar Shah, who is also their ambassador, initiated the rally at 8 AM from the JYC ground in Jawalakhel routing via Pulchowk, Maitighar Mandala, New Baneshwor, Singadurbar and ended the rally at 9.30 AM in Basantapur. About 500 students, cyclists and other cycle users had participated. The organisation aims to make Kathmandu a cycle friendly city by 2020.

Eco-friendly cycles

2009-12-03T07:45:00.000-08:00

Read from The Kathmandu Post

Anil Bhattarai’s article on eco-friendly bicycles is not just a good read but also practical (“It’s embarrassingly simple,” Dec.1, Page 6). I, time and again, have been in Cold War with my friends on the feasibility of this go-green-ride in the Kathmandu Valley. They say it is improper and inappropriate in modern Kathmandu. They even blame the topography and the narrow roads without bicycle lanes for why they cannot pedal around.

It has been almost one-and-a-half month since I started cycling. This experience has proven to me beyond doubt that the only reason why our brothers and sisters do not cycle is their wrong perception about cycling.

Bicycle was a ‘low-class’ thing for me a few months ago. But now I lament the days I cried with my parents for a petrol-bike. The concept of ‘riding bicycle to fight climate change’ is not that compatible to our society. But it surely can contribute to the fight against pollution, ill health of valley dwellers and fuel crisis. We ought to pedal to ensure our sustainable future.

Rajan Kathet
Kathmandu University,
Member of Kathmandu Cycle City 2020
..................

Comment From A Friend

2009-11-24T17:33:00.000-08:00

See his blog
Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty... I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led diffcult lives and led them well.
Is that the Kathmandu will be the cycle city in near future? But my opinion will be not! The recent trend shows that the new generation people have changed a lot. They can't imagine the life without motorbikes and cars.

They even don't go to colleges without bikes. The question arises as our Puskar Shah said ( If we people cycle than who gonna will be our girl friend? ), why use effort in the slow machine. Use bikes or cars, take bikes and go for a ride with girl friend. Sounds interesting but it's true as well.

Bikes and vehicle easy means of transportation. No muscles power required, just use only a part of brain. So, why use extra effort for cycling?

Nowadays we can see the hundreds of thousands of bikes but only few cycles.
Low down payments and finance makes to help our ktm city one of the most polluted city.

We Nepalese people wants to live a comfort life. Having a personal vehicles feel great towards themselves. To go for a small distance also prefer a personal vehicle.
We think that the riding cycle feels inferior within the community. Only the poor people uses cycle as a means of transportation. Do anyone agree with this?
While riding a bicycle in a street than anyone can harm us, specially this stupid uneducated drivers ( micro drivers, taxi drivers), but sometimes educated and hi5 people too. But i feel shame on such insane people who does such fuzzy and uncivilized things.

Bicycle is one of the fastest machine(driven by human power) that is every created by human being. Thanks who built this.
There are many benefits of cycling:
->Good for mental and physical health.
->no emission of harmful gas such as carbon monoxide.
->Eco friendly.
->No traffic jam.
->Can be used for shorter distance but as long distance(pro riders).
->and many other advantages.

It is slower than other machines but can be used for short distance. Then why don't we?

The young generation people should initialize first. An individual effort can make the Kathmandu city a cycle city in near future(without pollution).
If we see the unit of pollution(air) of Kathmandu city than it's deadly. Don't only think of our's think for our children too.
Nepali ma euta ukhan cha ni "aafo mare ta dumai raja". Ha ha testo sochnu chahi bhayena.

China is also one of the developed country in the world but uses cycle as a means of transportation. Millions and billions of people uses bicycle. Then why don't we ?
The government should be positive for such programs. The cycle lane should be made(strong recommendation).
Go cycle live longer, make Kathmandu pollution free.

Cycle Rally Completed

2009-11-23T23:20:00.001-08:00

Read from The Kathmandu Post

KATHMANDU, NOV 22 - cycle rally promoting the use of the vehicle as an alternative to motor vehicles was conducted on Saturday, with at least 500 cyclists participating in the rally. The rally began from Jawalakhel and concluded at Basantapur Durbar Square, and was organised by Kathmandu Cycle City 2020. The cyclists were led by world-cyclist Pushkar Shah.

400 cyclists rally for green Kathmandu

2009-11-23T23:15:00.000-08:00

Read from The Himalayan Times

Last Updated : 2009-11-22 12:05 AM
Ramesh Prasad Bhushal

KATHMANDU: More than 400 cyclists today took part in a bicycle rally organised to promote the use of bicycles for a pollution-free green city.

The rally, that started today morning at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur, ended at Basantapur of Kathmandu. The rally was organised by a youth group belonging to Team for Nature and Wildlife.

World cyclist Pushkar Shah and former environment Minister Ganesh Shah also took part in it.

The organisers had set up their target to make Kathmandu a cycle-friendly city by 2020.

"The pollution in our city is increasing phenomenally due to increasing number of motor vehicles belching smokes.

Everyone should start using bicycle to minimise pollution," said Shah, Nepali cyclist, who had travelled 150 countries on cycle taking about 12 years.

“Cycling is also the best medicine for a healthier living. So I request all of you to ride cycle at least once a week," he added.

“Cycling is one best option to make our city clean," said Abhisekh Manandhar, a member of the organising team.

Manandhar said the younger generation is increasingly enthusiastic about the promotion of cycles and is concerned about the environmental pollution.

Kathmandu Cycle City 2020

2009-11-23T23:11:00.000-08:00

Read from Kantipur Daily

Kathmandu Cycle Rally 2009

2009-11-01T08:03:00.000-08:00

Host: Kathmandu Cycle City 2020

Type: Cycle Rally (to promote bicycle as an eco-friendly ride)

Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009 (मङ्सिर ६ गते)
Time: 6:30am

Street: Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur

Route: JYC Ground Jawalakhel -Pulchowk-Maitighar Mandala-BICC-Singadurbar-Basantapur

Registration fee: Contact for registration and fee!!

Phone: 9841808527 (Program Coordinator)
.................9841442228 (Communication Coordinator)
Email: ktmcyclecity2020@gmail.com

We'll keep on updating the information! Keep visiting us!

Why not cycle ?

2009-11-01T07:47:00.000-08:00

Read From WAVE magazine

FROM ISSUE # 167 (November 2009)

There's no denying that as kids, cycling was our favourite sport. Fighting with siblings over who would get the next turn, hiding ugly scratches to keep riding and using Nepal bandhs to turn pro; indeed, the two-wheeler has been an indispensable part of our childhoods. WAVE discussed the practicalities of cycling with the youth of Kathmandu.

Participants:
Shail Shrestha, Kathmandu Cycle City organiser
Abhishek Manandhar, Kathmandu Cycle City organiser
Rajan Kathet, Kathmandu Cycle City organiser
Kriti Shrestha, Student
Anubhuti Poudyal, Student
Shaily Chauhan, Student
Juju Maharjan, Social Activist
Ayush Joshi, RJ
Suyog Dhakal, RJ

Why do you cycle?
Shail: Cycle is a medium of transportation for me, simply because it's much faster than other public vehicles and I'm helping to alleviate pressing global issues.
Ayush: I don't have reasons bigger than myself for riding a cycle. I hardly ride, but when I do, I ride for positive vibes: to feel the fresh air and to admire the greenery.
Abhishek: I travel by cycle whenever I can because its pollution free, doesn't create jams and keeps me healthy.
Rajan: I cycle because it's the need of the hour. If we are to solve the problems of climate change, we better start cycling.
Kriti: Cycling is just leisure for me. I feel that riding a cycle in Kathmandu is more unsafe and more unhealthy than it would be traveling by other vehicles.
Anubhuti: Same here, cycling is recreation for me. I cannot imagine cycling on the roads of Kathmandu, between two massive trucks and bikes the size of cars.
Shaily: Cycling is just a time pass, especially because Kathmandu's topography isn't fit for cycling.
Juju: I cycle to travel. And it keeps me fit; I've gone from being 103kg to 95kg.
Suyog: I don't ride cycles because Kathmandu doesn't have a good enough infrastructure for riding.

How practical is cycling on the roads of Kathmandu?
Juju: It is practical. Though yes, the microbuses and bikes dominate the roads, it's manageable.
Ayush: It's sad we have to be cramped inside microbuses while we could cycle, but I'm unsure about cycling. It would be a torture if I had to cycle all the way back to my house after a long day at work.
Anubuti: And it's more unsafe; a person inside a car is obviously safer than a person riding a cycle on the highways of Kathmandu.
Shail: As long as you don't go in the middle of the road, cycling is convenient, especially because unlike with other vehicles, you've control over it.
Abhishek: Also statistics show cycling is much safer than other vehicles. From the total number of accidents that happened in Koteshwor in the year 2008, while 72% of the accidents involved cars and bikes, only 2% involved cycles.
Shaily: Cycles are a boon for Kathmanduites, given the number of bandhs we have.
Suyog: Also, considering the shortage of fuels, the best option would be to cycle.
Kriti: When you cycle, you're more exposed to pollution than when you are in other vehicles. Imagine what will become of your lungs.
Rajan: You can always go and buy masks in medical stores, not only do they prevent smoke inhalation but they prevent diseases as well.
Juju: And it's rather hypocritical of people to ride bikes and wear masks. I mean, see the pollution they create and they themselves wear masks.
Shail: Exactly. Suraj Singh Thakuri went up to Everest on a bike, polluting such a place.

Is there a stigma attached to cycling in our society?
Kriti: When a person cycles, it's assumed that he lives on a minimum wage.
Ayush: Well yes, when everyone's driving cars, it's rather awkward to cycle.
Juju: But some cycles are extravagantly expensive. From Rs 8000, it can go up to Rs 180,000 and beyond. And the helmets cost at least Rs 4000, so cycling isn't exactly a cheap thing.
Rajan: It's more of an attitude problem. People say that we've developed from riding horses to cycles to bikes, then why move backwards? We need to influence the entire public.
Shaily: If you look inside the parking areas of UN buildings, you'll always find it filled with cycles. It's certainly not always the marginalised people who cycle.

Is cycling a 'guy' thing?
Anubhuti: While few guys cycle, there are fewer girls who cycle.
Shaily: Unlike with boys, girls riding cycles isn't considered 'normal'.
Kriti: If there were other girls riding, I'd be motivated to ride as well.
Ayush: There is also the problem of girls being harassed, so something needs to be done about this too.

What are the health benefits of cycling?
Abhishek: It prevents cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity.
Shail: When you ride a cycle only two things get hotter – you and the tires. And you can stretch your youth into your sixties.
Ayush: 40% of people who cycle live longer.

So what do you plan to ride now?
Ayush: I'll surely give cycling a try if there are separate cycling tracks.
Shaily, Anubhuti, Kriti: I'll cycle if there's a majority of riders, especially more girls.
Juju: I'll continue to cycle of course and even if people don't cycle, they should respect those who do.
Shail, Abhishek, Rajan: You'll realise that there's no better medium of transportation once you start cycling. And everyone should consider cycling if not for long distances, for shorter distances at least.
Suyog: It's overwhelming to find out that the cycling revolution has started in Nepal. So if it's started, we youths should unite to make it successful.

*Cycles stores are strewn across Kathmandu: try Asan ,Thapathali Pul, Chabahil and Pani Pokhari; cycles cost Rs 7000 upwards.

Cycle City- WAVE Magazine

2009-11-01T07:41:00.000-08:00

by SAMRIDDHI DHAKAL

Read from WAVE magazine FROM ISSUE # 167 (November 2009)

The jam-packed streets of Kathmandu are sometimes enough to wrack your brains out. Microbuses, or for that matter all four-wheelers seem to have as slow a locomotion as that of a turtle. And with these very vehicles adding to the air pollution, the whole city feels like a stifling gas chamber. Most of the times as submissive, enduring passengers or drivers, we feel we can't do much to fix this disarray.

A group of youth have been getting busy though, gearing us up to take the initiative to save the city. Finding the answer in cycling, they aim to make the Valley a cycle-friendly area by 2020. Says Basanta Shrestha of ICIMOD/MENSRIS regarding the logic behind this project, "Introducing a cycling culture is a good start that will curb many problems on the roads of Kathmandu."

The need for a quicker start has never been before; with global warming and climate change topping the debates world wide and with the burgeoning amounts of CO2 and green-house gases causing unprecedented effects. Although some nations are putting their best foot forward to mitigate green house gases and adapt to climate change, other nations are yet to come up with a serious agenda. European countries like, Netherlands and Finland have already come up with the initiative to make their cities cycle friendly in order to fight against the growing level of vehicular pollutions. In the same way, a group of young adults from Kathmandu University, calling themselves "Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 Group (KCC)" have come up with a vision, as their name suggests, of making Kathmandu a cycle friendly city by 2020.

KCC was founded under the Nature and Wildlife and the support of Climate Watch Alliance team by environment conscious youths. With Kathmandu's escalating vehicles and the pressing environmental issues, the group saw an urgent need to not just act, but act immediately with the trusty, plain-old bicycle.

"The natural terrain of our country is already cycle friendly. The already-existing cycling culture in Terai and the popularity of cycling as an adventure sports elsewhere means that cycle is not uncommon for Nepal," says Rajan Kathet, Communication Coordinator of the program. "Our aim is to promote cycling for short-distance travel and commute," he adds.

To kick off the program, the group is organising a cycle rally on 21 November. The aim is to raise awareness and to promote cycling. Says Shail Shrestha, spokesperson for the group, "If the expats and tourists can cycle, why can't we? We need to change this very mentality."

But Nepal still has a long way to go. The construction of a separate infrastructure such as a cycling lane and green belt will take time. Changing the overall mentality of people and acquainting them with cycling culture can take time; nevertheless, the members are hopeful. "Everything about cycling is good. All we need is a start," says Rajan.

While the pros and cons of using bicycles can be debated endlessly, the benefits certainly tally up higher, especially those related to health. Take it from world-cyclist Pushkar Shah, "I drank water of so many countries but I've never got ill. All thanks to cycling."

WHY CYCLE?
Cycling is the most energy efficient form of transportation ever invented.
Cycling is therapeutic and is a great cardio-exercise.
Cycling is cheap.
There is never a problem for parking.
It increases productivity at work.

TOWARDS CYCLE-FRIENDLY KATHMANDU BY 2020

2009-10-20T23:39:00.001-07:00

(Read from The Himalayan Times) The Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 group, a youth group, which has taken an initiative to make Kathmandu a cycle-friendly city by 2020, organised a talk programme at CV Raman Auditorium, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel on October 11. At the programme `Cycle: An Eco-Friendly Means of Transport', Dr Bhola Thapa, Dean, School of Engineering, and Dr Panna Thapa, Dean, School of Science, felicitated world cyclist Puskar Shah, who was also the chief guest of the programme.

Cyclist Shah, who recently completed his 11-year-long world tour of 150 countries, shared his sweet and bitter experiences at the event. He further explained about the benefits of using a bicycle and also assured to help the group. Constituent Assembly members, student leaders and environmentalists were also present at the programme.

The 10-year-long ambitious programme to promote the cycling culture is expected to focus not only on multiplying the number of cycle users but also on developing safe and sound infrastructure for cycling. The project also intends to make bike users, who use bikes even to travel very short distances, use cycles. To develop cycling as one of the most used transport choices, the project will use various trainings to encourage people.

The youth group was formed with an aim to improve the quality of environment, health and transportation infrastructure by promoting the use of eco-friendly means of transport, bicycle.

To create a cycle-friendly environment around the city and encourage people from all classes to use cycles is also one of the plans of this group.

The members of this group see cycling as a sustainable and viable means of urban transportation and aspire to make it happen in reality.

The cycling promotion campaign includes a series of activities like formation of lo cal cycling clubs and advocacy for cycling, which will motivate people to use bicycles more. The group also plans to celebrate Kathmandu Cycle Day 09 on November 21 by organising a cycle rally.

STUDENT REPORTER - TOWARDS CYCLE-FRIENDLY KATHMANDU BY 2020

The Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 read more...

Talk program on- Cycle: An Eco-Friendly Ride

2009-10-15T05:47:00.000-07:00

Subject: Cycle- An Eco-Friendly Ride/Means of Transport
Venue: C.V. Raman Auditorium, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel
Date: 11th September 2009, Sunday
Chief Guest: Pushkar Shah (World Cyclist)

काठमाडौँ साइकल सिटी- २०२०

2009-10-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

मुकुन्द भण्डारी
तेस्रो वर्ष, बायो टेक्नोलोजी
काठमाडौँ विश्वविद्यालय

(९ अक्टोबर २००९, नागरिक खबर पत्रिकामा प्रकाशित)

हाम्रो एउटा सपना छ, शान्त सडक, मुख्य सडकका दुइतिर फराकिला साइकलमार्ग अनि सिमित सवारीसाधन मात्र । काठमाडौंको स्वच्छ वातावरणमा साइकल यात्रीहरु आ-आफ्ना गन्तव्यतफ गुडिरहेका छन् । स्कूलतर्फ होस या कार्यालयतर्फ, विहान बेलुका, अनि पर्यटक हुन वा यात्रु निर्धक्कसाथ साइकल सयर गर्दै ।

जलवायु परिवर्तनको प्रसग संगै जोडिन आउछँ पृथ्वीको तापमान वृद्धि, हरितगृह प्रभाव अनि ओजनतहको विनाश । १९९७ को क्योटो प्रोटोकल (Kyoto Protocal) ले वातावरणलाइ प्रत्यक्ष असर पार्ने ग्रिन हाउस ग्यास (Green House Gases) GHG को मात्रालाइ सुन्तुलन राख्न मपदण्ड वनाइसकेको छ । प्रमुखत : GHG विकास निर्माणका कार्यहरु तथा यातायातका साधनवाट निस्कने गर्दछ । नेपालजस्तो देशमा विकास निर्माणका कार्यहरुले प्राथमिकता पाउनुपर्ने अवस्थामा तपाइ हामीमा एउटा जिम्मेवारी आउँछ कार्बन फुट प्रिन्ट (Carbon Foot Print) को न्यूनिकरण । अहिले Carbon Foot Print को न्यूनिकरण अन्तराष्टिय बहस वनेको अवस्थामा, नेपालमा पनि थुपै गोष्ठी, सम्मेलन भइरहेका छन् , तर ति कती सफल भए भन्ने कुरा विश्लेषण गर्नु आवश्यक छ ।

यही समस्याको समाधानको बाटो खोज्दा एउटा प्रसंग उठ्यो , काठमाण्डौ साइकल सिटी २०२० (Kathmandu Cycle City 2020) सुन्दा अचम्म लाग्ला...... काठमाण्डौ अनि साइकलको सहर , अनि हाम्रा ति चारपाङग्रे गाडीको के काम ...... कसले चढ्ला त्यो नाथे साइकल ........ के हाम्रो कार चढ्ने सपना तुहाउन मिल्छ ........ वाहियात अथावा यस्तै यस्तै ।

काठमाण्डौका असंख्य सवारी साधनवाट निस्कने धुवाँबाट केवल वायु प्रदुषण मात्र होइन, ग्रिन हाउस ग्यासले पृथ्वीमा छिर्ने खतरानाक UV-ray जोगाउने ओजन तहको विनाश गर्छ । यसवाट हुने प्राकृतिक विनाश निरन्तर रह्यो भने हाम्रो आउँदा पुस्ताले अहिलेको विश्वमानचित्र एकादेशको कथा जस्तै बन्न के बेर ।

बेलाबेलामा हुने इन्धन अभावका बेला हामी हप्तौ कुरेर भारतको भरपर्न बाध्य छौ । अहिले विद्युतीय सवारी, वयोडिजेलका प्रंसग उठिरहेका छन् । तर त्यसको वयवहारिकतामा सजिलै प्रश्न उठ्छ । त्यसैगरि काठमाण्डौंका सडकहरु त्यसै पनि साघुरा छन् त्यसमाथि अव्यवस्थित ट्राफिक, अनि घण्टौ जाम । त समाधन के ...?

एउटा साइकल लिएर हिडनुस, तपाइ त्यो जामलाइ सजिलै काटदै समयमै गन्तव्य पुग्न सक्नुहुन्छ । मुख्यसडक होस या सहायक वा थोत्रा गल्लीहरु, तपार्इ सहजै यात्रा गर्न सक्नुहुन्छ । जहाँ एउटा कार गुड्ने ठाउँ हुन्छ, त्यहाँ तिनवटा साइकल कुदाउन सकिन्छ । तपाइ साइकल चलाउदा न त कुनै इन्धन वाल्दै हुनुहुन्छ न त वातावरणलाइ असर पर्ने ग्यासफाल्दै हुनुहुन्छ, तपाइ शारिरिक व्यायाम गर्दै हुनुहुन्छ ।

सोच्नुस त्यो सार्वजनिक यातायात जसमा तपाइलाइ उकुसमुकुस कोचिन पर्ने छ , अनि जोखिमपूर्ण छतको यात्रा, यी सब कुराको मुक्ति पाउनुहुन्छ । सन् २०२० सम्ममा काठमाण्डौलाइ साइकल शहरको विकास गर्ने सपना देखेर बन्यो Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 Group.

काठमाण्डौमा साइकलको प्रयोग बढाउनु र अन्य सवारीसाधनको संख्या सिमित राख्नु यसको मुख्य उद्देश्य हो तर यसको अर्थ यो होइन कि साइकलमात्र गुडोस । प्रथमत: काठमाण्डौमा युवा जनचेतना अभियान संचालन गर्ने , अनि विभिन्न क्याम्पस, विद्यालय , शैक्षिक जगत, सविधानसभा सदस्य, सेलिब्रेटी, मिडिया तथा बैद्धिकसमाजसंग समन्यवय गर्ने उद्देश्य लिएर Nov21, शनिवार, २००९ का दिन काठमाण्डौ, ललितपुर र भक्तपुरमा साइकल र्याली गर्दैछ ।

TNW (Team for Nature & wildlife) अन्तर्गत रही, climate watch alliance को सहयोगमा अनिल चित्रकार, वि.के. दलित, आशिक मल्ल सल्लाहकार रहेको यो समुहले आयोजन गर्ने यो साइकल र्यालीको प्रमुख उद्देश्य जलवायु परिवर्तन बारे जनचेतना जगाउने, सरकारी नितिको कार्यन्वयनमा भइरहेका ढिलासुस्तीलाइ घच्घच्याउने रहेका छन । आउनुहोस् सहभागी हुनुहोस, तपाइको सहभागिता उदाहरणिीय वनेर सवैलाइ आफ्नो कर्तव्यबोधको सम्झना दिलाओस ।

दिर्घकालिन कार्यका रुपमा आफै वा सरकारी निकायसंग सहकार्य गरि काठमाण्डौंमा सम्भावित साइकल रुटका निम्ति सर्भे तथा नक्सा बनाउने, अन्य सवारी साधनको संख्या सिमित गर्ने, ट्राफिक व्यवस्थापन, सरकारी निकायसंग साइकल मार्ग, रुटको सकेत, साइकल पार्किङ्ग, तथा अन्य पूर्वाधारको निर्माणको निम्ति दवाव दिने रहेका छन् । त्यसैगरि अहिले सम्भावनामा देखिएको कोटेश्वरदेखि भत्तपुरसम्मको विस्तारित सडकमा साइकल मार्गको प्रस्ताव राख्ने । अनि तत्काल "साइकल शुक्रवार" (Cycle Friday) को कार्यक्रम अन्तर्गत साइकल प्रयोगलाइ प्रोत्साहित गराउने । यो त रह्यो हाम्रो सपना ।

त्यसो भए आउनुहोस, तपाइ पनि एउटा सपना देख्नुस, तपाइ अनि तपाइको मिल्ने साथी निर्धक्क साथ गुड्नुस कहिले असन त कहिले मंगलबजारका साघुरा वाटा । कैले भक्तपुरका स-सना गल्ली चहार्नुस अथवा कुनै नयाँ ठाँउ खोज्नुस जुन तपाइलाइ मात्र थाहा होस् । अनि भविष्यका सन्ततीलाइ देखाउनुस् एउटा सुन्दर, स्वच्छ अनि हरियाली काठमाण्डौ ।

वातावरण प्रदुषण तथा ट्राफिक जाम कम गर्ने उद्देश्यले काठमाडौं उपत्यकामा साईकल प्रयोगलाई प्रोत्साहन गरिने

2009-10-12T07:09:00.001-07:00

(AV News TV)
2009-10-12 15:57:44
वातावरण प्रदुषण तथा ट्राफिक जाम कम गर्ने उद्देश्यले काठमाडौं उपत्यकामा साईकल प्रयोगलाई प्रोत्साहन गरिने भएको छ। काठमाडौं विश्विद्यालयको वातावरण विभागका विद्यार्थीहरुले धुलिखेलमा आयोजना गरेको अन्तर्क्रिया कार्यक्रमका सहभागिहरुले काठमाडौं उपत्यकाको कुनैपनि ठाँउमा साईकलमा एकघन्टामा पुग्न सकिने बताउदै शहरको प्रदुषण र सडक जाम नियन्त्रणका लागि यो एउटा विकल्प हुन सक्ने उनीहरुको भनाई थियो। सहभागिहरुले साईकलको प्रयोग प्रोत्साहन गर्नका लागि सरकारले नै विशेष नीति तथा कार्यक्रम ल्याउनुपर्नेमा जोड दिदै सडकहरुमा पनि साइकलका लागि छुट्टै वाटोको निर्माण गर्नुपर्ने आवश्यकता औल्याए। सहभागिहरुले आगामी सन दुईहजार बीससम्ममा काठमाडौंलाई साइकलको शहर बनाउनका लागि अभियान नै शुरु गरिने समेत जानकारी दिए। सो अवसरमा विश्व साईकल यात्री पुस्कर शाहलाई सम्मान गरिएकेा थियो। शाहले कार्यक्रममा साईकल प्रयोगलाई प्र्रर्वद्धन गर्न आफुले समेत सहयोग गर्ने बताउनुभयो।

विश्व साइकल यात्री पुष्कर शाह का रोचक अनुभव र अनुभुतिहरु

2009-10-12T05:37:00.000-07:00

Aakar Post बाट साभार
विश्वमा शान्ति फैलिरहोस् भन्ने कामना का साथ साइकल चढेर विश्व विजय गर्न ११ वर्ष अघि निस्किएका थिए पुष्कर शाह । दोलखा का पुष्कर शाह एसएलसी सकेर उच्च अध्ययन को लागि भनेर काठमाडौँ आए, तर उनको मन काठमाडौँ मा अड्न सकेन, फलस्वरुप उनी विश्व साइकल यात्रा मा निस्किए । अनि साइकल यात्रा सुरु गरेको ११ वर्षपछि उनले आफ्नो साइकल यात्रा सकिएको घोषणा गरे ।

काठमाडौँ साइकल सिटि सन् २०२० अभियान ले काठमाडौँ विश्वविद्यालय मा आयोजना गरेको एक कार्यक्रम मा उनै पुष्कर शाह आइएपुगेका थिए, अतिथि बनेर । उनी भन्दै थिए, हिमाल को माइनस ५ डिग्री तापक्रम देखि लिएर, मरुभुमी को ५० डिग्री तापक्रम मा दौडिएका क्षणहरु छन् । अनि फुटपाथ मा मस्त निदाएको रातहरु देखि लिएर, पाँच तारे होटल मा निन्द्रा नलागेका रातहरु छन् । हो, उनै पुष्कर शाह, जसले साइकल बाट विश्व विजय गरेको छ । आज उनकै यात्रा का रोचक अनुभवहरु हामी सुनाउँदै छौँ, उनकै आवाज मा ।

अफ्रिका मा लुटिएको क्षण देखि, मेक्सिको मा अपहरणमा परेका क्षणहरु उनी सम्झन्छन् । जिवन का ११ वर्ष साइकल को पाइडल खियाएर बिताएका उनले आउँदो वैशाख मा सगरमाथा चढ्ने योजना बनाएका छन् । आमा ले दिएको १०० रुपैँया साथ मा राखेर साइकल यात्रा सुरु गरेका उनले, अफ्रिका मा २ वर्ष बिताएछन् । अफ्रिका मा हुँदा धेरै पटक उनी ठगहरु र लुटेराहरु को फन्दामा परेछन् । उनका रोचक अनुभव र अनुभुति का संगालोहरु सुन्नुहोस्, उनकै आवाज मा । उनले मृत्युलाई पनि नजिकै देखेँ भन्छन्, जब उनी मेक्सिको मा अपहरणमा परेका थिए, तर त्यसै बेला नेपालीहरु बहादुर हुन्छन् भन्ने कुरा पनि सावित गरिदिएछन् । मेक्सिको मा अपहरण मा पर्दा ज्यान नै जान लागिसकेको अवस्था मा, उनले अपहरणकारीलाई मुक्का हानेर भाग्न सफल भएछन् ।

आफ्ना जिवन को अमुल्य ११ वर्ष साइकल हाँकेर बिताएका पुष्कर शाहलाई सरकार ले केही गरिदिएन भनेर ठूलो गुनासो पनि रहेछ । बाहिर भएको भए, युरोप या अमेरिका भएको भए, साइकल बाट विश्व विजेता गर्ने भनेर ठूलो सम्मान हुनेथियो, सरकार ले हरेक कुरा को व्यवस्था गरिदिने थियो । उनी भन्छन् 'तर दुर्भाग्य, सरकारलाई त कसले के गर‍ेर आयो केही थाहा छैन' । खैर, यी कुराहरु को अर्कै बहस होला, तर अहिले लाई चाँहि उनका साइकल यात्रा का रोचक अनुभवहरु सुन्नुहोस् । उनका आवाजमा रहेको, उनका अनुभवहरु साँच्चै रमाइला छन्, तपाई को समय बेक्कार खेर जाने छैन ।

Letter from a friend

2009-10-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

Prashant Palikhe (Netherlands)

I hope you guys are also paying equal attention towards the management of the increased number of bikes in the city as it happens. I live in Holland. They have the most perfect system that allows people here to enjoy riding bike anywhere and anytime you like. The separate lanes and traffic lights for bicycles here takes the safety involved in bike riding to whole another level. So, like all the other dutch people here, I ride my bike a lot. But one of the things that even the dutch people haven't been able to take control of is the enormous amount of bikes that are here. You cannot see "a" corner without a bunch of bikes lying on it. The railings, bridges, lampost, basically everything you can chain your bike to ..has a bike on it.

It is hard to find a place to park your bike despite having parking stands almost everywhere you go. It is not only annoying that way but also makes it look ugly with all the bikes standing everywhere you can see. My point is, Kathmandu Cycle City is a great project. The advantages that come with riding a bicycle to a motor bike easily compensates the tiny disadvantages that come with it. But, I believe equal attention should be given to the management of bikes in the public places from the beginning of this wonderful project. Anyways, its a great attempt from you guys. Though I can't participate directly, I really support this project and wish you guys good luck.

PS Nice logo.:)

1st (formal) Meeting @ KU

2009-09-03T07:35:00.000-07:00

Prepared by Rajan Kathet

3rd September 2009
Kathmandu University
Kathmandu Cycle City 2020

We placed notices to most of the notice boards existing in the university so that we can have more friends joining for the cause. There was a kind of communication gap between the members (us) and it resulted in double notices at a board with two different times and venues. There are two faculties related to environment (Environmental Science and Environmental Engineering, total 8 batches), so we had quit a high hope and expectation of participants.

Today it’s 3rd September and to see, there was another notice overlapping ours. It overlapped in the sense it was of big-size and colorful comparison to ours (b/w printed in A4 paper). It was about increasing the members of KU Red-Cross plus a free a movie show, Sano Sansar, for the magnetic pull of audiences.

Our notices, about discussion on the promotion of bicycle in the valley, suggested two different times and venues. So we divided at two places as suggested by the notice to gather all interested participants to a place. Finally we collected ZERO number of more friends helping us for the cause of Eco-Friendly Ride.

To our surprise, one friend from Mechanical Engineering 1st year joined us. And, rest joined Sano Sansar. So, him plus ten total eleven started discussion for further activities like documentation, deciding route for cycling rally (scheduled for 21st November 2009), budgeting, sponsorship, invitation to participants and increasing the number of organizing members etc.

It was a kind of zero percent participation but was a successful meeting. Sano Sansar does promote cycling so we don’t have anything against it. Our next notices will probably be in color and large size pages. If the participation is still the same this time also then it’ll prove that- most of the students studying environment faculties are for jobs in INGOs, NGOs and UN; and, even youths believe in words (/and excitements) than actions that deserves.

Cycling Tips:

2009-09-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

Prepared by Samriddhi Dhakal

Safety Measures

Wearing helmet is never out of fashion rather a good means of protection, but it should be worn properly.
Bicycles should be given good regular repairs.
Road safety always comes first, follow traffic rules, be familiar with it.

Sunstroke

70% of human body is made up of water.
Dehydration is serious and can be fatal.
Avoid strenuous cycling on hot days.
Take plenty of liquids with you.
Stop for frequent rest and drink breaks if you are doing a long ride.

Muscle strains

Muscles and tendons are more susceptible to injury when they are cold.
Always warm up with a series of gentle stretches.
When you first start riding, take it easy and aim for slow and steady increase in heart rate.

Suntan

Don’t forget to regularly reapply your sunscreen.
Even waterproof varieties can be washed off with constant washing and rain.

Rain

Provision for a rain gear should be well managed.

Use Cycle

2009-07-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

Use cycle to reduce carbon footprint and to save your home. Cycle is need of the time. It's not the economic status that propels to choose cycle but it's the ignorance about the clean environment and climate change. This flash video is created by Sanjay Jung Lamichhane.

Kathmandu Cycle City 2020

2009-07-29T08:35:00.000-07:00

Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 -the initial Forum

Prepared by Amy Deuja

The burning issue of global climate change compels us to bring about mega events like this, not only to let people know the direct or indirect consequences of their actions to the environment, but also teach them to adopt eco-friendly way to live life without having to do much.

Every problem has a solution to it. Global warming does too and it lies within us. Our willingness to act right now will determine whether the upcoming generation will see the world as it is now or only in pictures, as a part of history. It’s about time we act. “Act for an impact”.

Why did we choose ‘cycle’ as transportation means in busy Kathmandu city?

- Pollution, the first and foremost problem that plays a significant role in contributing to the formation of Green House Gases (GHG’s) leading to ozone depletion and ultimately global warming.

- Also, fuel crisis that visits us quiet often. We depend on India with a debt and it’s obvious that they will do nothing but turn their heads. On a cycle, you don’t burn gasoline; all you burn are your calories.

- Health degradation not only due to pollution but lack of physical exercise. Cycle is the best way to keep one moving in almost all the body parts. A lot of people go to the gym, use a treadmill or a cycle. Instead of that, why not use a cycle once in a while to go to your destination; that way you’ll be exercising and accomplishing, both.

- Road structure. Definitely a land cruiser can undoubtedly beat the jerky roads, but what about the gallis? Only a cycle can make it through that. With the promotion of cycle use, the government can plan to make cycle lanes in near future. (In a North American urban environment, people living up to 12 km (7.2 miles) from their workplace can commute by cycle in 1 hr or even less. Also, a roadway can carry about three times as many cyclists as people in cars.)

- Traffic. Who would like to get stuck in traffic? A lot of people loose their temper (which is bad for health by the way J). In a cycle, you can skip all that and feel that sense of winning the prime time jams.

- Energy. On a cycle you take up little space, burn no gasoline and produce no waste, whereas a motorbike will travel 1,600 km (960 miles) on the equivalent energy of a gallon of gas.

- Use of materials. Between 70 and 100 cycles can be built with the resources required to build one car.

Our Strategies

- Youths awareness on cycle

- Public awareness on cycle

- Lobbying for institutional policy for cycle friendly city

Objective

- To get rid off the misconception of cycle use in Kathmandu city, this includes breaking the economic barrier, social barrier etc.

- To manage the haphazard traffic by specifying lanes.

- To make people aware and alert of everyday global climate change.

- To make people choose the best e-way during their everyday life. For e.g.: No plastic bags, no littering.

- Reuse, Reduce and Recycle; whenever and wherever possible.

- Change the lazy attitudes to make an e-Nepal.

- To make them want to live to see tomorrow. Help others to help themselves.

All we are asking is an assurance that your participation will be practical and also set an example to others and give them that sense of responsibility towards the environment, towards their life.