12 Kolkata: Cyclists in Kolkata rallied behind chief minister Mamata Banerjee, hailing her visionary Sabuj Sathi scheme that distributed over 1.15 crore bicycles to girl students across Bengal. In a heartfelt open letter, cycling enthusiasts and advocacy groups appealed to the CM to go a step further by lifting restrictions on bicycle use across city roads and formally recognising cycles as a legitimate, non-polluting mode of transport in the urban mobility landscape.The appeal comes amidst growing concern over police-imposed restrictions that prohibit cyclists from using several arterial roads in Kolkata. These curbs, according to the letter jointly signed by organisations, including Kolkata Cycle Samaj, BYCS, Cyclology India, Nagarik Mancha, and Sabuj Mancha, run counter to the spirit of Sabuj Sathi, a scheme globally recognised for its environmental and social impact."Bicycles are not a problem—they are the solution," reads the letter. "The ban on cycles contradicts the CM's pioneering vision, and it disproportionately harms livelihood cyclists who rely on this humble, sustainable vehicle to support their families."Recent studies back the cyclists' claim. A speed-mapping analysis found cycles outperforming motor vehicles on 60% of Kolkata's congested corridors. In high-traffic zones like Tollygunge Phari, cycles matched or exceeded the average bus and car speeds during peak hours.Health and mobility experts are echoing the urgency of policy change. "Kolkata has already made strides by integrating non-motorised transport into its mobility plans," said Anumita Roychowdhury, a mobility expert from CSE. "The next big leap is implementation—designing our cities for people, not just cars."The Sabuj Sathi initiative, implemented by the West Bengal SC/ST Development and Finance Corporation, not only empowered students but also made a substantial dent in the state's carbon footprint. According to data from the West Bengal Pollution Control Board, Sabuj Sathi cyclists saved nearly 8.4 million tonnes of CO₂ between 2013 and 2022—valued at over Rs 750 crore in climate benefits.Despite having one of the highest rates of walking and cycling commutes among Indian cities, Kolkata lags in infrastructure. Cycle parking at metro hubs, protected bike lanes, and designated corridors are either missing or inadequate. "Kolkata's compact layout makes it ideal for cycling," said Satanjib Gupta, bicycle mayor of Kolkata. "It's time we stop penalising cyclists and instead invest in making streets safer and more inclusive."Christopher Gerber, Ajay Mittal, Inspector Prosenjit Chakraborty of Kolkata Police, and others pointed to promising examples across Indian cities like Chennai, where 40% of streets are earmarked for walking and cycling, with Rs 200 crore allocated for NMT in 2025. Pune, where 15% of the transport budget is for NMT, integrates public bicycle sharing with bus networks. Bengaluru, where Safe School Zones and dedicated cycle corridors are underway.Advocates say Kolkata now stands at a crossroads—quite literally. "This is a choice between choking in traffic or moving towards a healthier, accessible, and more breathable city," said Sanjiv Gopal from Asar. "Cycling must no longer be treated as an afterthought in policy and planning."