A rising number of citizens in Iranian metropolises are switching to cycling as a clean, healthy and safe means of transportation, especially since the coronavirus outbreak in Iran in February.
In the capital city of Tehran, cyclists have doubled in number compared to the last Iranian year that ended on March 19, 2020, the head of Clean Transportation Development Office at Tehran Municipality told Tasnim News Agency.
Yaqoub Azadehdel added that cycling involves the least amount of social contact and is a great way to cut the Covid-19 infection chain.
“It can also inject some physical activity in today’s sedentary lives and boost the citizen’s health condition,” he said.
Equipping subway stations with bicycle racks, designating cycling tracks along the main roads, establishing shared biking system and running public awareness campaigns are among measures taken by urban officials to promote cycling.
Azadehdel noted that TM is also making efforts to expand biking lanes and facilities for the general public.
Bikers have access to a total of four biking lanes in the capital, the latest of which was established last year in June.
This lane is located in the eastern part of Taleqani Street, which horizontally crosses districts 6 and 7 in the center of the city.
Stretching over 1 kilometer between Mofatteh and Shariati streets, the lane is equipped with signage, lane markings and fences.
However, the other three lanes are concentrated in one area, as Karimkhan, Iranshahr and Mofatteh streets with one bike lane each are located in Tehran’s District 6.
The move to promote biking in Iran’s major cities started about two years ago. In an effort to encourage bicycles as a mode of transport in Tehran, Mashhad and Yazd, a project was launched to set up bike-lending centers and provide bicycles in educational centers and travel zones.
Although both men and women are allowed to use bicycles, women have been reluctant to take up the vehicle.
In Tehran, 50 terminals were set up across the city, mostly in crowded downtown areas and near interchange subway stations and tourist sites, to offer a total of 7,000 gearless bicycles. The terminals are still situated at several city squares, including Tohid, Enqelab and Azadi.
Financial support
Earlier in March, Tehran Municipality said it will invest 170 billion rials ($653,000) to develop biking facilities.
“The fund is to be spent on promoting non-motorized transport,” Sakineh Ashrafi, a member of Tehran City Council, said.
Non-motorized transportation (also known as active transportation and human-powered transportation) includes walking and bicycling.
"The fund for promoting human-powered transportation will be spent on promoting biking, establishing new bicycle lanes and renovating the existing lanes,” she added.
Ashrafi noted that biking is a green mode of transportation that helps curb traffic congestion and improves air quality.
Bike-Sharing System
With 50 bicycle stations in Tehran, Bdood (meaning pollution-free in Persian) bike-sharing startup has a large share in encouraging the public to use bicycles for everyday transportation.
Affiliated to Tehran Municipality, Bdood (literally meaning zero-emission) is the first smart bike rental platform in Iran, unveiled and launched in July 2018. The startup has over 30,000 active users at present.
“Using eco-friendly and sustainable technology, Bdood is an affordable service. The system seeks to promote a healthier means of transportation and help curb air pollution,” Bdood Manager Reza Baqeri said.
The services are offered through a smartphone application available for download for Android and iOS devices on local app store Cafe Bazaar.
It is backed by local bike maker PaakCharkh Iranian.
Saeed Babayousefi director of PaakCharkh, says the bicycles have been designed to withstand wear and tear.
Using the Internet of Things technology, the bikes are equipped with a smart lock system.
Provincial Moves
Public demand for cycling is also growing in Isfahan, the central city of the namesake province.
According to Ahmad Zandavar, head of Transportation Commission at Isfahan City Council, there is an untapped potential for developing motor-less transportation in the metropolis.
“Plans are underway to launch cycling tracks and equip the city with bike racks and safety facilities,” he added, calling for the collaboration of officials to speed up the process.
Zandavar noted that the potential health risk of public transportation during the Covid-19 spread can be a great opportunity to foster the culture of cycling that will also help curb Isfahan’s air pollution problem.
Public Campaign
Isfahan residents’ interest in biking is evident from the fact that the city was Iran’s first metropolis to enforce “Car-Free Tuesdays”, a people-driven campaign endorsed by the Department of Environment.
On Aug. 2, 2016, Isfahan Municipality banned all vehicles from entering Charbagh Street, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, from 4-10 p.m. to promote the use of bicycles and encourage people to walk.
The campaign was started a year before in Arak, Markazi Province, by environmentalists who had grown weary of being held hostage to the unremitting air pollution.
Shortly after its inception, the campaign was publicly endorsed by senior environment officials. Various cities in every province, including Tehran and Mashhad, have adopted the campaign, with varying levels of commitment.
Officials believe that the campaign can help unite people under a common cause and even improve living standards.
