Context: The issue of increasing pedestrian and cyclist deaths has renewed focus on active mobility in Indian cities.
About Active Mobility:
- What is Active Mobility?
- Active mobility refers to human-powered modes of transport, such as walking, cycling, and skateboarding, used for commuting purposes, not leisure or sports.
- Key Characteristics:
- Non-motorised and emission-free: Uses human energy instead of fossil fuels.
- Low infrastructure cost: Requires basic road and lane infrastructure, not flyovers or expressways.
- Inclusive and equitable: Promotes mobility access for all, regardless of socio-economic class.
- Significance of active mobility:
- Environmental Sustainability: Reduces vehicular emissions, supports climate targets under the Paris Agreement, and lowers fuel dependency.
- Health Improvement: Encourages physical activity, curbs lifestyle diseases, and enhances public health as recognized by
- Economic Efficiency: Lowers household transport costs, reduces healthcare spending, and supports local businesses through increased footfall.
- Urban Inclusivity: Minimizes congestion, improves safety, and aligns with Smart Cities and urban transport policies for equitable access.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:
- GS Paper 1 – Urbanization
- Addresses issues of urban transport, infrastructure development, and inclusive mobility in growing cities.
- GS Paper 2 – Governance & Social Justice
- Relates to policy formulation like the Karnataka Active Mobility Bill, and citizen-centric initiatives.
- GS Paper 3 – Environment & Sustainable Development
- Supports climate change mitigation, Paris Agreement commitments, and energy conservation.
- Connects to sustainable infrastructure, public health, and pollution control.
