KATHMANDU: A few cyclists can be seen in the crowded cities which are filled with vehicles.
Cycling along the Ring Road in the valley is a challenging task for the cyclists. The drivers of buses, cars and motorcycles do not treat the cyclists as human beings. And, it has been embarrassment for cyclists.
According to a study conducted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the number of cyclists decreased by 5.1 percent in two decades. As per the report, 6.6 percent people used to ride bicycles in 1991, while only 1.5 percent was found to have used bicycles in 2012.
According to the population census of 2011, 33 percent of households in the country possess the bicycles. A total of 11.5 percent households in the Kathmandu valley have bicycles. There are 10,000 cyclists in the Kathmandu valley.
Although cycles are the best means of transportation in terms of environment and health, the cyclists are disappointed due to lack of cycle lanes, lack of encouragement and promotion from the state. What are the problems faced by cyclists while the roads are busy along with high emissions of vehicles?
The excerpts taken by Khema Basnet of Face-To-Face from the five cyclists are as following:
Kavi Maharjan : No cycle lane available
In a bid to promote non-polluting vehicles, different countries have developed good cycle lanes. However, roads in Nepal have no cycle lanes. Moreover, there are no parking spaces at hospitals and government offices. The vehicles intimidate the cycles too much in the Kathmandu valley. In such a situation, accidents can occur. There is no insurance if cycles are damaged.
Shree Prasad Budhathoki : No cycle friendly environment
There is not cycle- friendly environment in Kathmandu. Kathmandu Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya announced to develop cycle lanes but nothing has been done yet. We feel we are too insecure on the roads, which are unsafe for cyclists. Those who use environment friendly cycles face the dust and smoke most. The biggest problem of cyclists is the parking site. There is no cycle parking area.
Prem Bahadur Waiba : We have to cycle in smog 
Dusty roads and smoky vehicles create problems. We are the victims of these problems. We go outside on bicycle but we worry about our health and cycle when we return home. They drive in a rush and we always feel threat of danger from them. We ride bicycles amidst fear. When traffic jam occurs, we have to suffocate from vehicle emissions. They used to say new Nepal will be developed but in vain. It’s their Nepal. When will be cycle lanes developed? When will be our cities free from smoke and dust?
Umesh Dhami : It is challenging to cycle in Kathmandu
It is very difficult to ride cycle on the roads of Kathmandu. We have to ride cycle through corners due to fear. We have to leave space foe vehicles and motorcycles. They honk horn when we are ahead of them. The risk of accident in the crowd is very high.
Sandip BK : It is hard to breathe
Earlier, I used to use public vehicles. However, I have been going to office on cycle for a year. I am always afraid of big vehicles hitting me. They overrule the roads as if it is only theirs. On the other hand, dust and smokes affect on eyes and breathing. I am so sad when they treat us inhumanely.
