Pune: PCMC Organizes ‘Kids Cycle Day’ to Shape Safer Streets for Children in Pradhikaran

Pimpri, 12th July 2025: In a unique initiative under its Harit Setu project, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) recently hosted a ‘Kids Cycle Day’ pop-up event in Nigdi’s Pradhikaran area, bringing together 65 students from Jnana Prabodhini Navnagar Vidyalaya (JPNV) to reimagine their streets through the eyes of children.

This initiative aimed to understand the everyday commuting experience of children to help shape safer, more inclusive and accessible public spaces. The event featured a 3-km guided cycle ride, interactive mapping activities, and a drawing competition, engaging students between the ages of 12 and 14 in critically evaluating their built environment.

PCMC is one of only ten cities globally—and the sole city from India—selected for the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure (BICI), through which it is receiving funding and technical support to design a comprehensive cycling infrastructure network. The Harit Setu project, being implemented in Pradhikaran, is India’s first neighbourhood-level pilot of the 15-Minute City concept, which aims to bring schools, markets, transit, and public spaces within a short, walkable or cyclable distance for all residents.

The cycling route showcased diverse street conditions—from protected tracks on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Road and the BRT corridor, to painted but unprotected lanes near Akurdi Railway Station and a newly redesigned sample street on Pradhikaran Road. The final segment—lacking any protected infrastructure—highlighted the very real risks children face when cycling to school.

During the ride, students acted as “street shapers,” observing and reflecting on their experience. While the event was empowering, many students expressed concern about feeling unsafe on unprotected roads—underlining the need for child-friendly street design.

“This initiative marks a growing commitment by PCMC to listen to and involve children in shaping public spaces, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and sustainable urban future,” said Jashwanth Tej Kasala, Program Manager, Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI).

Bapu Gaikwad, Joint City Engineer, PCMC, said, “City roads shall be redesigned on principles of inclusive, equitable spaces and safety for all road users. The best combination of non-motorised transport (NMT), public transport (PT), and intermediate public transport such as rickshaws and taxis shall be prioritised for urban commute. This will help reduce traffic congestion, noise, and air pollution, and decrease dependence on private cars and two-wheelers. Walking and cycling must be inculcated among school-going students through internationally aligned promotion activities. Moreover, neighbourhood streets shall be governed by traffic calming measures to ensure safe speeds of not more than 20–30 kmph.”

The event was made possible through the support of volunteers and partners including Prasanna Desai Architects (urban design consultants for Harit Setu), Designshala, Exepedal, BG Shirke Construction, Pavetech, and the teachers and staff of Jnana Prabodhini Navnagar Vidyalaya.

The Harit Setu initiative is part of PCMC’s broader push towards a climate-resilient, people-first city. Just last month, PCMC became the first municipal body in Maharashtra to list green municipal bonds on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), raising Rs 200 crore for eco-friendly projects including riverfront development and active mobility infrastructure.
(Read more: PCMC becomes Maharashtra’s first to list green municipal bonds on BSE – Business Standard)

Looking ahead, PCMC has identified more neighbourhoods where similar child-centric cycling and walking events will be held to further the 15-Minute City approach citywide. The comprehensive capital construction—covering approximately 9 km of active mobility corridors—is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

The project is being developed with support from Prasanna Desai Architects (urban design), Pavetech Design Consultants (project management), and BG Shirke Construction (execution), along with technical guidance from the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI).