On the 30th of May, more than 250 residents of Bandra assembled on Carter road to attend a special event which screened three short documentary films to raise awareness about cycling and to promote a project that aims to create a cycling tracks in Bandra. The three films - Ciclovia, NY Summer Street and Velib, were well received by the audience and followed by a lively discussion on the benefits and need for cycling.

The event also aimed to create awareness on a new project being launched. If this project is successful, Mumbai, which figures on the WHO’s list of the ten most polluted cities in the world, might soon be able to breathe a little easier with its first dedicated cycling track. The project is pushing for a 7-km cycling track in Bandra, a northern suburb of Mumbai, along the Bandra seafront. The project, which is a part of CST India’s ongoing efforts to promote active and sustainable transport, is an attempt to create a pollutant-free city and help save fuel.

For the past one year, CST India has been working with local community groups and the government to catalyze active transportation projects in Mumbai, and increase the level of awareness about cycling. The project will now focus on creating a widespread demand for cycling and cycling tracks among the citizens of Bandra, following which it will approach the Government for approval and funding.

The movie screenings were organized by KBS Foundation, with the support of CST India and ICE as part of the effort to build awareness. CST India has also involved its partner, Interface for Cycling Expertise (ICE), a Dutch expertise provider, in the project. ICE will provide technical assistance for policy and project formulation, and help create the project design to be submitted to the Government. Open Bicycles Project, an awareness group, has also agreed be part of this initiative and do the traffic analysis in Bandra.