Parisar has released its Cycle Track Audit Report (2024–25), a comprehensive assessment of Pune’s cycling infrastructure at a time when the city is gaining global visibility through the Pune Cycle Grand Challenge.
The audit covered 35 km of cycle tracks across 19 roads, divided into 77 segments of 500 metres each. The findings reveal significant gaps in safety, comfort, and continuity, showing that Pune is still far from meeting the standards envisioned in its 2017 Comprehensive Bicycle Plan (CBP).
Key Figures
Total Cycle Track Assessed: ~83 km
Cycle Tracks Audited: ~35 km
Audited Segments: 77
Roads with Functional Cycle Tracks: 19
Why This Audit Matters Now
With Pune now on the world map through the Pune Cycle Grand Challenge, the city must demonstrate that its infrastructure can support a growing cycling culture. As the event will be held annually, Pune has an unprecedented opportunity to position itself as a global cycling leader.
This audit provides evidence-based guidance for PMC and partner agencies to upgrade Pune’s network to world-class standards and match the city’s rising international visibility.
How the Audit Was Conducted
Trained volunteers cycled every segment to document real on-ground conditions of Pune’s cycle tracks. Each 500m segment was evaluated on three core parameters:
- Continuity: seamlessness, obstructions, end-to-end usability
- Safety: segregation, junction design, lighting, encroachment
- Comfort: surface quality, drainage, maintenance, rideability
This ride-based method ensures the audit reflects actual user experience, not just infrastructure on paper.
Overall Score: Only 11% Tracks Rated “Good”
Using a scoring scale where 0 = Good and 100 = Very Bad, the findings show:
- 11% of cycle tracks fall in the Good category
- 61% are Okay, indicating moderate quality
- 28% are Poor, reflecting serious deficiencies
Overall, nearly 90% of the network is below good condition.
Parameter-Level Insights
Continuity performed best (11 Good, 8 Okay), showing that tracks often exist but usability fails elsewhere.
Comfort and Safety scored poorly due to broken surfaces, encroachments, missing signage, unsafe junctions, and inadequate maintenance.
Day-to-day usability remains low because of parking on tracks, vendor encroachments, missing ramps, and forced dismounts.
The report also highlights mandatory compliance with IRC:11-2015 design standards, which are statutory under the Motor Vehicles Act (2019) and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court.
Major Recommendations
1. Build a Continuous Citywide Network
Cycle tracks must be connected end-to-end; isolated fragments limit usability.
2. Design Upgrades & Clear Markings
Improve signage, visibility, and consistent road markings.
3. Behavioural Change Through Design
Begin with painted cycle lanes and protective edge treatments, later upgrading to fully segregated tracks.
4. Strengthen Governance & Enforcement
Reinstate the NMT Committee and Bicycle Department
Public dashboard for maintenance and obstruction reporting
Enforce no-parking and no-vending rules on cycle tracks
5. User Engagement & Feedback Systems
Introduce a real-time digital reporting tool
Allow community groups to “adopt” stretches for monitoring
6. Safe School Zones
Integrate cycle tracks with the School Travel Improvement Plan to support children’s mobility and reduce congestion.
7. Integration with Pune Metro
Provide dedicated cycle parking at stations; long-term solution is secure parking, not carrying cycles inside trains.
8. Establish the Pune Cycle Partnership (PCP)
A citywide platform to drive behavioural change, support first-time riders, and implement 36 already-identified soft interventions.
9. Leverage Credit Notes & PPP Models
Encourage developers and corporates to co-invest in cycle tracks—especially in growth areas.
10. Focus on High-Growth, High-Impact Areas
Priority zones for immediate network expansion:
Kharadi, Kondhwa, Mohammed Wadi, Yewalewadi, Mhalunge, Dhanori, Lohgaon
Download the Full Report
Author: Tanzeel Allapur
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