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Govt. to promote use of bicycles to reduce air pollution

Govt. To spend Rs. 103.56 per one kilometer for a vehicle due to urban traffic condition.

26 January 2022 07:41 pm - 37     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Environment Minister has said that the Ministry will take steps to promote the use of bicycles as one of the steps to reduce air pollution. 

The decision was announced following discussions on the Bicycle for a Healthy Life program implemented by Ride for Life to promote the use of bicycles in transportation. 

He said a cabinet memorandum has been prepared to take steps to promote the use of bicycles as one of the steps to reduce air pollution.

A survey conducted by experts has revealed that the government has to spend Rs. 103.56 per kilometer for a traveling vehicle during traffic jams in cities, said Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.

However, using a bicycle can save Rs. 236.48 per kilometer and the profit to the government is Rs. 339.98, the Minister said.

Therefore, steps will be taken to provide an eco-friendly approach to the promotion of bicycle use due to its ability to reduce air pollution, prevent wastage of time as well as control many non-communicable diseases due to cycling.

Accordingly, it has been decided to set aside a lane on each road for cycling and to introduce a regulatory program to provide certain promotion benefits to cyclists in institutions affiliated to the Ministry of Environment.

The Government is seeking the assistance to extend this initiative to other public and private institutions. He also said that the President has decided to give priority to electric vehicles if vehicles are to be imported within the next year.

He also said that the bicycle which was considered as the vehicle of the poor has now become the vehicle of the rich. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)

 

 


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  Comments - 37

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  • Precautionery Wednesday, 26 January 2022 08:01 PM

    Good move but please take unto consideration the no.of Accidents taking place in our country today.

    Mohan Wednesday, 26 January 2022 08:01 PM

    You can save that too! Just stay home !! Make all ministers and their back up vehicles bicycles!! Give bicycle permit instead of car permit!!!

    Ranjan Thursday, 27 January 2022 07:02 AM

    Good one. Those who can't ride can be given Tricycles.

    lankan Wednesday, 26 January 2022 08:57 PM

    Is this viable with the current traffic congestion? Get rid of the tuk tuks and improve the public transportation.

    Jayantha de Mel Thursday, 27 January 2022 08:46 AM

    Yes! Definetly, they should stop importing three wheelers! They are a total menace on roads and the main cause of total discipline failure in our country!

    Jude Thursday, 27 January 2022 02:57 AM

    First thing first, charge the motorists entering Colombo city !! And that's the best way to reduce air pollution in the city!! Yeah!!

    Bee Altair Thursday, 27 January 2022 11:34 AM

    No, First they should get the Public Transport right. If the train service is upto date, then there will be lesser vehicles coming into Colombo.

    Daya Thursday, 27 January 2022 04:59 AM

    Announcement without a plan. To promote cycle as a preferred medium then need dedicated track for cyclist, clear traffic rules around cyclist signaling, fine related to use the pavement, not wearing proper helmet, reflective lights and front light for low visibility time such as nigh, etc. Is Sri Lankans good at trial and error. Learn from our own mistakes, hmmm

    Farook Thursday, 27 January 2022 05:01 AM

    As a good example all 225 in Diyawanna should set a precedent and use the bicycle as their mode if transport. Will it happen I wonder!!!!!

    Jehan Thursday, 27 January 2022 05:04 AM

    Just introduce a locally made electric wheel hub for the bicycles and see what happens...

    Pushbike Thursday, 27 January 2022 05:13 AM

    Make imports of bicycles duty free

    Sunil Thursday, 27 January 2022 05:58 AM

    I cannot understand how he arrived at these figures. Looks very dubious.

    ANTON Thursday, 27 January 2022 06:13 AM

    OK ...... WE'LL START FROM THE PARLIAMENT.

    Ifthikar Lafir Thursday, 27 January 2022 06:38 AM

    Bicycles are lovely but first reduce the duty component of the bicycles. Get rid of all the tuks and Private buses off the city. Allow only state run modern city buses and an e-car taxi system in Colombo.

    mp Thursday, 27 January 2022 06:47 AM

    Another foolish attempt of this government. It will only increase more accidents. Why not the Ministers first start the movement by themselves taking up cycling instead of using luxury vehicles along with backup vehicles to safeguard them and to open their vehicle doors. They should first give examples to others than dictating and demanding others.

    Jrsion Thursday, 27 January 2022 06:55 AM

    Good, you need be a an example for civilization, just ride a bike day yo day to ur office, saving millions of Rs. Gov., Expenditure, ur health which it reduces the risk of illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and can help boost mental wellbeing, congestion the country’s flat landscape is perfect for trips on two wheels. But it has to be designed its transport infrastructure to promote cycling the environmental impact. Request ur goon to follow at the mean time.

    Bhatiya Siriwardena Thursday, 27 January 2022 07:38 AM

    Minister, you better go on bicycle and set an example

    Sambo Thursday, 27 January 2022 07:43 AM

    You can also bring back the bullock carts so we could go back to the 60's era. Make sure that all the ministers and politicians also come to parliament in bullock carts and we would be a very good environmental friendly country.

    Terrence Thursday, 27 January 2022 07:51 AM

    First ensure infrastructure for safe cyclists otherwise there will be more deaths than the money saved in promoting as we see the behaviour of road users

    Nana Thursday, 27 January 2022 07:59 AM

    Bicycle move is Good, But our roads are very dangerous for cycling.. Electric cars also use Electricity generated with Diesel and Coal. No much difference. Govt should instead look at measures at reducing the Private vehicles in the road. Relaxing Bus permit system can get more people to use their vans etc as buses and whenever needed.

    VJ Thursday, 27 January 2022 08:12 AM

    Another sign we are going backwards. Their only goal is to make profit for the government. It will take a long time to construct separate lanes for bicycles, we will have another lane for the bus and one for other vehicular traffic. Is this feasible? No need to promote, this is probably how people will have to travel in the future.

    Ganesh Thursday, 27 January 2022 08:18 AM

    Make it mandatory for all politicians

    Rajeeva Thursday, 27 January 2022 08:20 AM

    I would like to see our "honorable" ministers and their security travel around in bicycles first.

    Saabith Sabry Thursday, 27 January 2022 08:21 AM

    Make sure to have a cycling lane so that there will be minimum amount of accidents.

    CITIZEN Thursday, 27 January 2022 08:27 AM

    Good move, for an example first 225 elected parliament ministers should use Bicycles for a Healthy Life program, After that Citizen's will fallow them,

    Daya Thursday, 27 January 2022 08:30 AM

    Cycling in Sri Lanka is a nighmare with the private buses, three wheelers and speeding drivers. Its too early to implement, without having dedicated cycle lanes.

    Bicykale Thursday, 27 January 2022 08:35 AM

    Jolly good! Tell the MPs and Ministers to travel by two wheel bicycles .

    Seqi Thursday, 27 January 2022 08:42 AM

    Electric bicycles which can solely be pedaled or electric motor assisted when the going gets tuff are a good investment in health fot the future. Many of the motorbike folk will prefer electric bikes for solo travel to Colombo.

    Mahesh Thursday, 27 January 2022 08:44 AM

    Good idea. Why don't the ministers and government officers start it first

    Andare Thursday, 27 January 2022 08:58 AM

    LOL. First get the 225 to come to Parliament on push bicycles without their backup security. The Environment Minister must give the lead.

    Spartacus Thursday, 27 January 2022 09:01 AM

    Take the first initiative

    tilak Thursday, 27 January 2022 09:05 AM

    good move. lets start with the 254 MP's who own Benz cars at tax payers expense

    Karalasingam Sivalingam Thursday, 27 January 2022 09:49 AM

    Cycling was my hobby. I cycle from Nugegoda to colpetty. I was hit by a Three-wheeler and by a car. My knees and hand had fractures which compelled me to give up Cycling for good.

    mnsmart Thursday, 27 January 2022 11:32 AM

    what about rickshaws - this will sort out the jobless problem too

    sam Thursday, 27 January 2022 11:37 AM

    Politicians must show the way forward

    Piyapala Fernando Thursday, 27 January 2022 04:27 PM

    Vadi Bana together with Boru Bana! Saadhu- Saadhuuu -Saaadhuuuuu. You begin the job at home!

    N SENA Thursday, 27 January 2022 06:22 PM

    FOR A START, STOP ISSUING DUTY FREE PERMITS TO PARLIAMENTARIANS AND GIVE THEM A BICYCLE INSTEAD


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