Delhi, the national capital territory of India, has population of 17.4 million1 and covers an area of 1,483 sq km. Delhi has been at the forefront of investment in transport infrastructure. It has a Metro network of almost 200 km—one of the largest in the world—and an extensive network of roads and flyovers. Yet the city experiences some of the worst congestion in the country.

Cycle sharing is considered a key element among these strategies to serve as an alternate mode of public transport in which people have access to cycles that can be used across a network of closely spaced stations. By encouraging a shift to sustainable modes, the cycle sharing will reduce dependency on automobiles, particularly for short trips in the city centre, thereby reducing traffic congestion, vehicle emissions, and demand for motor vehicle parking.

GNCTD has requested the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) to consolidate the existing cycle sharing plans for Delhi and prepare a detailed report, including the system design, proposed station locations, and a financial plan, for implementation of a first phase cycle sharing system. The proposed GNCTD Phase 1 cycle sharing system will have approximately 3,800 cycles and an initial coverage area of about 52 sq km.