As a 16-year-old Delhi resident, I have always dreamed of being able to cycle confidently without having the fear of being hit by a passing vehicle.

Since childhood, my parents have always been reluctant to permit me from walking or cycling around the neighbourhood because of the inherent traffic conditions that may lead to severe accidents.

Unruly traffic and potholes on the streets - there are no separate walkways for pedestrians or pathways for cycles. Delhi ranks the highest in terms of fatal accidents and in number of pedestrians and cyclists falling victim to road crashes.

Apart from the immense traffic woes that Delhi faces, it also happens to be one of the most polluted cities in the world. We are breathing toxic air, and so many of us have difficulties in breathing outdoors. Bicycling can be a solution to decrease the pollution in Delhi.

This is why, I am asking the Delhi Government to mandate the implementation of proper lanes for cyclists and pedestrians across the city.

Rather than focussing on further infrastructure development to make roads better for cars and trucks, the only way Delhi can avert a serious mobility and pollution crisis is to scale up public transport along with walking and cycling.

The Delhi Master Plan has already set the target of increasing the share of public transport to 80 per cent by 2020 from the current share of 40 per cent. Sign my petition to make sure walking and cycling infrastructure are also scaled up.  

Through this petition, I hope to that the implementation of proper lanes for cyclists and pedestrians happens across the city, and we are able to find solutions to the increasing pollution levels.

Sign and share my petition, so together we can have #SafeCycling in Delhi.