A newly released study has revealed that livelihood cyclists constitute 73% of bicycle riders in Kolkata, sparking demands to lift the prohibition on eco-friendly two-wheelers on 71 roads in the city. The research, conducted by the Sustainable Mobility Network (SMN) and released on World Bicycle Day, highlights that bicycles power 75% of Kolkata's short trips and are the cleanest mode of transport, independent of fossil fuels.
Study Findings and Traffic Paradox
The study points out that bicycles are casualties, not the cause, of Kolkata's traffic congestion. Despite a ban on cycles on 71 thoroughfares, the city continues to witness an explosion of new automobiles. In early 2025, Kolkata's four Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) registered 1,00,167 new vehicles. The SMN argues that Kolkata aggressively adds cars to its severely limited 6% road space while pushing out cycles, the most sustainable, zero-emission transport option.
Bans Ineffective in Reducing Congestion
Kolkata Police has maintained that the prohibitions under Sub-Rule (2) of Rule 291 of the West Bengal Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 are necessary for road safety and traffic flow. Authorities argue that cycles are incompatible with fast-moving vehicles and slow down arterial roads, said Satanjib Gupta, Kolkata's bicycle mayor. However, SMN's Speed and Sustainability Mapping Study tracked key banned corridors, including the Sealdah Flyover, Ultadanga Flyover, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, and the Rash Behari Connector, and found they remain heavily gridlocked during both peak and lean hours, even with bicycles entirely absent.
"Congestion follows motor vehicles, not bicycles," the report states, noting that in high-traffic zones, all vehicles slow down equally. "The evidence suggests that banning cycles has had no measurable impact on easing traffic," said Raghu Jana of Kolkata Cycle Samaj.
Cyclists' Deep Bond and Challenges
The bond between Kolkata's riders and their vehicles runs deep; 72% of respondents have been cycling for over a decade. When banned from riding, cyclists reported tangible fallout: 33% stated it made their daily commute incredibly difficult, while others noted physical tolls, remarking that their "body feels heavy" or that "something feels missing." Despite clear financial and environmental benefits, including zero carbon emissions and reduced public transport dependency, riding in Kolkata remains perilous. Cyclists cited a lack of separate lanes (78%), poor road conditions (68%), and a fundamental fear of motor vehicles (58%) as primary grievances.
Police Open to Revisiting Restrictions
Encouragingly, Kolkata Police has acknowledged that the cycling bans are strictly restricted to the 71 designated thoroughfares and has expressed a willingness to revisit the scope of the restrictions based on evolving data.
Proposed Policy Roadmap
To transition Kolkata into a climate-resilient, inclusive mega-city, the SMN has proposed a 5-step policy roadmap drawing inspiration from global success stories like Paris, Amsterdam, and Bogotá. The steps include: commissioning data-driven traffic counts and before-and-after congestion studies on the 71 banned roads to see if restrictions actually yield any traffic benefits; implementing low-cost, protected cycle infrastructure on 3 to 5 high-usage corridors by 2027; separating cyclists from heavy motorists rather than excluding them entirely; integrating cycling infrastructure directly with public transit hubs; and offering secure bicycle parking at metro stations, bus terminals, and ferry ghats.
Survey Data: Cycling as an Economic Lifeline
The survey of cyclists conducted in May 2026 shatters the misconception that cycling in the city is merely a recreational pastime. For the vast majority of riders, the bicycle is a vital economic lifeline. Core mobility data shows that 73% of respondents use their bicycles for essential daily travel, including commuting to work (48%), running daily errands or going to the market (45%), and traveling to places of study (18%). The demographics reveal that the cycling population is heavily working-class, consisting of office and private-sector employees (63%), students (18%), small business owners (6%), and delivery workers or freelancers (5%). Economic necessity is underscored by the fact that for 60% of those surveyed, the daily maintenance cost of cycling is Rs0, and 80% spend less than Rs10 per day, making it Kolkata's most affordable transport mode.
