Accommodating the pedestrains and bicyclists in the neighborhoods of Dhaka: an investigation of existing situations

Abstract

Walking and bicycling are environmentally friendly mode of transportation that enhances both personal and social wcll-being. Other than transportation, these two modes of travel provide many, health, economic and social benefits. Successful pedestrian and bicycle systems reflect the mobility and access needs of communities and are placed in a wider context more than simple movement of peoples and goods. Lack of appropriate facilities for walking and bicycling is one of the important reasons of physical inactivity and as a consequence lead to related chronic health disorders. In this system, issues such as land use, energy, health, environment and neighborhood livability are important factors. Almost 60% of the 8.5 million weekday trips In Dhaka are solely composed of pedestrians; about 19.2% use the cycle rickshaw and the rest use different types of transports, such as private cars, buses, etc. It is predicted that by 2015 about 20 million people would be using the pedestrian mode of transport to reach different destination. From the above statement it is evident that millions of people use the pedestrian mode and a significant portion use bicyclc rickshaw to rcach diffcrent destinations. However the use of bicycle has been on the decline due to hazards posed to the users by motor vehicles and other factors. In order to investigate the prevailing conditions of access facilities of pedestrians and bicyclists on the street network in Dhaka, and also find ways and means to accommodate the pedestrians and the bicyclists in the neighborhood streets, a planned residential area (Dhanmondi) and an unplanned residential area (Kalabagan) have been selected for this study. Form the inventory of the study areas it was found that the streets in Dhanmondi are arranged basically in grid iron pattern with ill designed and ill maintained walkways. On the other hand in contrast to grid street network of Dhanmondi area, streets of Kalabagan area was devcloped in an organic way. Dead end streets characterize street network of this area with an absence of any walkway provisions. ii From the study it is found that the walking trip made by the residents of Kalabagan is about 22 % compared with 9.5 % of that of Dhanmondi area. About 45% and 81% respondents of Dhanmondi and Kalabagan respectively desires to use bicycle for trip if bike lanes are provided. For the research coiiected data were analyzed in order to find out why people prefer to walk or use bicycle and also the reasons why they are debarred / restrained from walking or bicycling. Data were analyzed also to find people's views regarding their neighborhoods and their ideas to make the neighborhoods active, livable, sociable, safe and so on. Recommendations are made based on the findings for the accommodating the pedestrians and bicyclists in the present transportation network.