What is the India Cycles4Change Challenge? 

The India Cycles4Change Challenge is a one-of-its-kind nationwide challenge to inspire Indian cities to embrace a cycling transformation. The Challenge is an initiative by the Smart Cities Mission, MoHUA in partnership with the ITDP India Programme and is supported by the Fit India Movement and the Swachh Bharat Mission. The Challenge encourages cities to implement quick cycling-friendly interventions in the wake of COVID-19, with support from experts and citizens. The Challenge is open for all cities under the Smart Cities Mission, capital cities of States/UTs, and all cities with a population of more than 5 lakh people. 

On July 10th 2020, the Smart Cities Mission, MoHUA launched the online Challenge portal and opened registrations for all eligible cities to apply. Over 450 participants attended the launch event, including CEOs of Smart Cities, Commissioners, city officials, civil society organizations, experts, and citizens.

Launching the Challenge portal, Kunal Kumar- IAS, Joint Secretary, Smart Cities Mission, spoke about the vision for the India Cycles4Change Challenge, “The COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity for cities to reinvent themselves. Cycling offers us a healthy, affordable, and COVID-safe solution for a green recovery. Through this Challenge, the Smart Cities Mission offers cities an opportunity to transform themselves into cycling-friendly cities for everyone.” 

Stages of the Challenge 

Presenting the Challenge brief, Shreya Gadepalli- South Asia Programme Lead, ITDP, highlighted the importance of a TEST-LEARN-SCALE approach, “In a collaborative process, Indian cities should TEST through pilots, LEARN together with citizens and experts, and SCALE-up interventions. The Challenge is a unique opportunity to explore a wide range of physical interventions, policy reforms, and schemes towards making our cities cycling-friendly.” 

Spanning across a year, the Challenge will happen in two stages. Stage One will run until October 2020, and cities will pilot quick interventions to promote cycling, as well as develop a scale-up strategy. The pilot interventions should focus on making cycling safe and fun by creating pop-up cycle lanes, dedicated parking, and traffic-calmed slow zones. In addition, cities could launch programmes such as a public bicycle-sharing system, community-led cycle rental schemes, and cycle repair clinics.