Equal Streets also brings together residential welfare associations (RWAs), Cycling Clubs, and NGOs in Mumbai, so each Sunday, 6 kms (3.7 miles) on major roads will be closed off to traffic. Beginning on November 9th, from 7:00 am to 11:00 am, a 6km loop covering SV Road, Linking Road, and part of Juhu Road will be closed to traffic and opened to people for recreational and community activities, yoga, aerobics, cross-fit, Zumba and more.
Equal Streets constituent organisations sees support from KBS Foundation, Bandra West Residents Association, P. K. Das & Associates, Juhu Citizens Welfare Group, Gulmohar Area Societies Welfare Group, Oshiwara / Lokhandwala Citizens Association, Only Cycling, Bandra Cycle Club, Mumbai Cycling Enthusiasts, Cycling All the Way, Juhu & Lokhandwala Cycling Club, Indian Dietetic Association, Mumbai Waterfronts Centre, and Bandra Bandstand Residents Trust.
Every day, people in Mumbai are being squeezed out of spaces to walk or cycle by the sheer pressure of cars, whose numbers are growing rapidly each year. In addition to the omnipresent danger posed by motorised transport on the roads like increasing traffic speeds and high stress levels from driving, Indian cities face other problems like air and noise pollution, completely eradicated footpaths, and poor infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians.
Equal Streets intends to correct the fundamental imbalance on roads where people find no space to walk or cycle because of increasing number of cars. Motorised transport on roads are continually increasing traffic speeds and high stress levels from driving, alongwith aggravating air and noise pollution, lost footpaths, and poor infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. Equal Streets highlights that roads are public spaces not limited to use of cars. Organisers hope to influence a mindset change towards more sustainable transport modes.
The movement aims to increase public awareness about public spaces in Indian cities with the objective to provide walking and cycling tracks in all neighborhoods in the city says Binoy Mascarenhas, Manager – Urban Transport, Embarq India.
