Popularising walking and bicycling
Tuesday, 10 July 2007
We lose our valuable time, mood and working capacity being trapped in the traffic jam everyday. This problem is getting worse day by day even after taking different measures to improve it by the government. But people can help improve the traffic situation only by avoiding use of vehicles some time, for example to go to school, workplace, markets etc by walking or riding bicycle.
It is found that majority city people are forgetting to walk, even for a short distance. For having rickshaws and buses available in almost all corners with cheap fares, we avoid walking even for going to a minute-distant place. But one can easily carry this practice to go to the place having 10 to 15 minute-walk. If this practice can be popular among people, pressure on vehicles will automatically reduce and traffic jam situation improve to some extent. The most important is that this practice can help the people to become physically fit.
Walking is the priority mode for the people of the developed countries to go to any short distant place. Even this practice is found in almost all states of India. In the United States, National Walk to Work Day is celebrated on the first Friday of April. Another day "Bike/Walk to Work day" is also held in mid-May in the USA. These days are promoted and sponsored by different organisations including "Prevention", a magazine, the US Department of Health and Human Service and the American Podiatric Medical Association and the League of American Bicyclists. Australia also holds the Walk to Work Day in October.
So, if the government encourages the people for at least 15 minute-walk each day and popularises the use of bicycles, it would be able to bring a significant change in the traffic system. But before that, there is a need to take steps for freeing the pavement from illegal occupants so that people can walk without hazards. It is also necessary to introduce parking spaces in important places for bicycles by ensuring the security of those.
Shahjahan Siraj
Basaboo
Dhaka
It is found that majority city people are forgetting to walk, even for a short distance. For having rickshaws and buses available in almost all corners with cheap fares, we avoid walking even for going to a minute-distant place. But one can easily carry this practice to go to the place having 10 to 15 minute-walk. If this practice can be popular among people, pressure on vehicles will automatically reduce and traffic jam situation improve to some extent. The most important is that this practice can help the people to become physically fit.
Walking is the priority mode for the people of the developed countries to go to any short distant place. Even this practice is found in almost all states of India. In the United States, National Walk to Work Day is celebrated on the first Friday of April. Another day "Bike/Walk to Work day" is also held in mid-May in the USA. These days are promoted and sponsored by different organisations including "Prevention", a magazine, the US Department of Health and Human Service and the American Podiatric Medical Association and the League of American Bicyclists. Australia also holds the Walk to Work Day in October.
So, if the government encourages the people for at least 15 minute-walk each day and popularises the use of bicycles, it would be able to bring a significant change in the traffic system. But before that, there is a need to take steps for freeing the pavement from illegal occupants so that people can walk without hazards. It is also necessary to introduce parking spaces in important places for bicycles by ensuring the security of those.
Shahjahan Siraj
Basaboo
Dhaka