Active Mobility: Need, Benefits & Challenges

What is Active Mobility?

• Active mobility is a critical pillar of sustainable urban development, ensuring the smooth movement of people and goods. With India’s urban population expanding from 159 million (23%) in 1981 to 360 million (30%) in 2011 and projected to reach 820 million (46%) by 2051, the demand for efficient, inclusive, and safe urban transport is intensifying.
• However, this rapid urbanisation has brought rising safety concerns, with accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists, and street vendors—especially in metro cities where motor vehicles frequently encroach upon dedicated non-motorised transport (NMT) lanes.

Need for Active Mobility in India

• Traffic Decongestion: Public transport (trains and buses) handles 63% of travel in cities like Mumbai, easing road congestion.
• Public Health Boost: Daily walking (30 mins) or cycling (20 mins) reduces mortality by 10%, cardiovascular risks by 10%, and type 2 diabetes by 30%.
• Cleaner Air: Shifting to walking and cycling can curb vehicular emissions; road transport contributes 12% of India’s energy-related CO₂ emissions.
• Economic Gains: Active mobility cuts healthcare costs linked to sedentary lifestyles and pollution-induced illnesses.
• Improved Road Safety: Cities investing in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure report fewer traffic-related fatalities.
• High Vulnerability: Pedestrians made up 43% of road crash deaths in Delhi; over 37,000 pedestrian and cyclist deaths reflect the urgency for safer NMT infrastructure.

Multidimensional Benefits of Active Mobility

• Economic Savings for Households: Walking and cycling cut daily expenses on fuel, parking, and vehicle maintenance, easing household budgets.
• Healthier Population, Lower Healthcare Burden: Active mobility helps prevent chronic diseases like obesity, cardiovascular disorders, and Type 2 diabetes, significantly impacting Healthcare costs.
• Climate Action & Emissions Reduction: Promoting walking and cycling can slash CO₂ emissions from road transport, contributing nearly 12% to India’s energy-related emissions. (IEA)
• Cleaner Urban Air: Reduced reliance on motorised vehicles leads to fewer emissions, improving air quality in cities with robust active mobility infrastructure.
• Reduced Risk of Premature Death: Regular walking or cycling reduces overall mortality risk by 10–11%, promoting longer and healthier lives.
• Equitable and Inclusive Mobility: Ensures affordable and accessible transportation for all, especially low-income and marginalised communities—fostering mobility justice.

Barriers to Active Mobility in India: A Multidimensional Challenge

Inadequate Infrastructure and Safety Gaps

• Over 85% of Indian roads lack minimum safety standards for walking and cycling.
• Footpaths and cycle lanes are often encroached, poorly maintained, or non-existent, deterring non-motorised travel.

Competing Low-Cost Motorised Alternatives

• The availability of cheap two-wheelers & informal para-transit options make active modes less attractive.
• Long commuting distances & extreme weather conditions further discourage walking or cycling as daily transport.

Societal Perception and Status Symbol Bias

• In urban India, cars and bikes are widely seen as symbols of economic status and social prestige, especially among the aspirational middle class.
• Walking or cycling is often perceived as a sign of poverty, reducing social motivation to adopt them.

Rapid Motorisation and Rising Private Ownership

• According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, over 12,000 cars are sold daily in India.
• This rapid increase in private vehicles overwhelms roads and sidelines active mobility users.

Poor Enforcement and Traffic Hazards

• Weak traffic rule enforcement and lack of speed calming measures make streets unsafe for pedestrians.
• Rapid urban congestion & chaotic traffic flow significantly raise the risk of accidents for active commuters.

Way Forward

• Policy and Enforcement: Introduce a national active mobility policy, expand state laws like Karnataka’s, and enforce penalties for NMT lane encroachment.
• Sustainable Financing: Allocate fixed transport budgets for NMT and encourage public-private partnerships for cycling and walking infrastructure.
• Integrated Urban Planning: Implement Complete Streets and Transit-Oriented Development with climate-resilient designs to support active mobility.
• Inclusive Infrastructure: Develop continuous, safe, and accessible NMT lanes for all, including children, the elderly, and differently-abled.
• Awareness and Behavioural Change: Launch campaigns, promote school/workplace initiatives, and position walking and cycling as aspirational, eco-conscious choices.

A shift toward active mobility enhances sustainability and delivers widespread economic, environmental, and health advantages. Urban agendas like Bengaluru’s 2024 Sustainable Mobility Plan align with this vision, creating greener, safer, and more inclusive cities.

Reference: The Hindu

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 147

Q. Active mobility is central to India’s inclusive and sustainable urban development. Critically examine the barriers to its integration in urban planning and suggest strategic interventions. (250 Words) (15 Marks)

Approach

• Introduction: Write the meaning of active mobility and its significance for urban development.
• Body: Examine the obstacles to its integration in urban planning and propose strategic interventions.
• Conclusion: Write a comprehensive conclusion by mentioning the future course of action, such as inclusive policies, infrastructure, and awareness.