Dhaka is one of the least motorized cities in the world with approximately 30 motorized vehicles per 1000 population. The majority of people dependon non-motorized means of transport and affordable public transport services. Almost 600,000 rickshaws, three-wheeler non-motorised transport (NMT), plying in the city streets comprise over 60% of vehicles. Though buses are the cheapest form of public transport, they are inadequate in numbers and mostly overcrowded, not accessible for many people. As a result, majority of the people depend on walking and NMT for travel. However, despite the high dependency on NMT, cycling is almost absent in the city streets. Inthe 1950s and earlier, the bicycle was a major component of the city's transport system particularly among students, teachers and the younger generation of middle or lower income group people. There have been no provisions made on highways or streets for bicycle paths or crossings thereby increasing the danger to these vulnerable road users. Now a days bicycles are almost absent in the city streets which could dramatically improve the traffic flow of the city. Based on secondary information, the study explores the trip making contribution of different modes in Dhaka city. Questionnaire interview of young adults was conducted at households in selected residential areas to investigate the reasons for not cycling. City streets were also observed to find the situation of supporting infrastructure service facilities for cycling. This study revealed the major constraints for cycling and provides some policy measures to promote cycling. Transport policy of the city should be directed towards the environmental sustainability and affordability. For the covering abstract see ITRD E139491.
Samenvatting