Bhopal: In a move aimed at boosting green mobility and improving first- and last-mile connectivity, the Bhopal Smart City Development Corporation Limited (BSCDCL) has announced plans to relaunch a public bicycle sharing (PBS) system with around 500 smart bicycles across the city in the next two months.
Strategic Docking Stations
The renewed PBS rollout will place docking stations at strategic locations, prioritizing city bus stops, existing and planned metro stations, educational institutions, major hospitals, tourist spots such as Upper Lake and Lower Lake, shopping areas and residential colony entry points.
Modern Features and Accessibility
Stations will be solar-powered or grid-connected with battery backups and fitted with real-time information displays, CCTV surveillance and accessibility features for differently-abled users.
Like before when PBS was first introduced in Bhopal around 2016, each bicycle will be GPS-tracked and equipped with smart locks, and the system will be integrated with a consumer-facing mobile app for iOS and Android that supports QR/NFC/Bluetooth unlocking and digital payments including UPI. RFID smart-card compatibility is also planned for future integration with city transport cards.
Safety and Compliance
All bicycles will be BIS-certified, insured for third-party liability, and monitored in real time to ensure availability during peak and off-peak hours. BSCDCL emphasised data privacy, in compliance with the digital personal data protection Act, 2023.
Addressing Urban Transport Challenges
Sources said officials said the relaunch will help offset the loss of cycling and pedestrian space after the dismantling of the BRTS corridor in 2024, by deploying stations along safe alternative routes and transport nodes.
Commuter groups and cycling advocates called for dedicated protected lanes and traffic-calming measures near busy markets and schools to make cycling safer. In the above proposal there is no mention of revamping the dedicated cycle corridors across the city, according to sources.
