We are thrilled to share highlights from Pune's inaugural Annual Cycling Conference, an event that marked a significant milestone not only for Pune but also for cycling enthusiasts across India. The conference, held on March 30, 2024, at the SM Joshi Socialist Foundation in Sadashiv Peth, Pune, brought together a diverse array of panelists, moderators, and participants passionate about promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation.

The Problem:

Over the past decade, the utilization of cycling as a commuting option in Pune has drastically declined. Despite recreational cycling remaining popular, commuter cycling has seen a significant reduction in modal share. This decline exacerbates the ongoing traffic and congestion issues in the city.

As a part of our Schools for a cycle friendly Pune initiative, we undertook a Cognitive Mapping Exercise with students. The term "cognitive mapping" may sound complex, but at its core, it involves the mental processes of acquiring, representing, storing, and using information about the spatial properties of our physical surroundings. In simpler terms, it's about understanding how individuals perceive and navigate their environment.

On September 22nd, Parisar organised on-ground activities to build a buzz around the concept of car-free cities. The event witnessed a lot of one-on-one engagement with people passing by on the street.

The session started with an engaging street play by the Mangal Theatre artists who touched upon the idea of cycling in the city, some of the benefits of cycling, and a representation of what would happen if a person of authority advocates for improving cycle infrastructure in the city. They even added a rhythmic twist with some catchy rap music on ‘cycle and cycling’!

Want to relive the performance? Catch the recorded version of the play on our YouTube channel.