Charlie Palmer, a cyclist from England was recently on a trip to India to explore the effects of cycling on the environmental aspect of megacities in developing countries. This study has been undertaken as a part of his project entitled, "Cycling Megacities" and it will take him to
five developing countries (Brazil, Mexico, China, India and Bangladesh) out of which he has already completed cycling through Brazil, Mexico and China. His last leg of the journey includes India and Bangladesh.
"Cycling Megacities is my journey around the world to explore the state of cycling in the most rapidly expanding urban areas on our planet. This journey will take me to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Dhaka, Calcutta, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. I will explore and record the stories of people I meet along the way - bicycle users, cycling advocates and designers - and the current state of cycling- socially, physically and economically in each megacity" - Mr. Palmer said.
Charlie Palmer, an architecture student from University of Sheffield, England, has been awarded the 2015 RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship to explore the current state of cycling in developing megacities. Through this project he advocates the use of bicycles as the primary means of transportation and takes an initiative to upgrade the social status of bicycles in developing countries. He wants to explore how various policies, investment, education campaigns are contributing towards altering the mindsets of urban public in influencing the culture of bicycles.
Flower market underneath Howrah bridge
Bicycle parking at a train station in west Kolkata
Fixing the brompton bicycle at the local bike store Kolkata
Only in Kolkata where cycling is banned
"Cycling is healthy, it increases public or individual health, which then means public less spending on health system", Mr. Palmer said. He also feels cycling is the best means to work out.
Photo Courtesy: Charlie Palmer
