Pune’s Bicycle Scheme Initiative Still Listed as Active After Years of Discontinuation
Pune, November 28, 2024: The bicycle-sharing scheme launched under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Smart City Mission aimed to promote eco-friendly commuting and reduce reliance on private vehicles. Introduced in 2017, the initiative involved four private companies deploying nearly 10,000 bicycles across the city. However, by 2019-20, the scheme was quietly discontinued, and today, not a single bicycle is available for public use in Pune.
Despite this, Pune Smart City officials continue to claim, under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, that the scheme is still active. Social worker Paresh Khandke, who sought clarity on the program, was advised to look online for further information. This response has raised eyebrows, as the scheme’s discontinuation is well-documented.
Initially designed as a step toward environmental conservation, the project included ambitious plans: one lakh bicycles, 8,000 docking stations, a 531-kilometre cycle path, and a 31-kilometre green belt. Citizens could pick up a bicycle from one station and drop it off at another for a nominal fee. In its first phase, approximately 3,000 bicycles were made available and received enthusiastic public support.
However, operational challenges soon emerged. Issues such as vandalism, theft, and lack of maintenance plagued the program. Additionally, administrative disputes over whether the project would be managed by PMC or the Smart City Mission added to its struggles. By 2019, the scheme was effectively shut down.
Despite its closure, the administration’s claim that the initiative is still active has baffled many. No bicycles or docking stations remain in the city, yet the program is still listed as operational online. This has left residents questioning the transparency and accountability of the concerned authorities.
