Dabbawalas launch petition to make city cycle-friendly

Struggling to adapt to congested city streets, Mumbai's iconic bicycle-borne dabbawalas, who have delivering meals across the city since 1890, have launched an online petition to ensure that dedicated cycling infrastructure is set up throughout the city. They have also demanded secure parking facilities at strategic locations, including suburban railway stations. The dabbawalas believe that if most last-mile deliveries and short-distance commutes were done on bicycles, the city's air quality would improve.

Through the petition, the dabbawalas have emphasised the urgent need for cycling infrastructure at the ward level, facilitating last-mile connectivity for only them but all Mumbaikars who want to cycle.

Every day, around 5,000 dabbawalas deliver about two lakh lunchboxes to offices in Mumbai. Their delivery method involves a unique alpha-numeric colour coding system that helps them avoid errors and primarily involves the use of bicycles and local trains.

Ulhas Muke, president, Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Charity Trust; Roshan Kedar of Jhatkaa.org and Bhagwan Kesbhat

However, off late, the dabbawalas, who have been ensuring your lunch reaches you on time by using zero-emission transportation, feel unsafe on the roads as they lack dedicated cycling tracks. They have also complained about their cycles getting damaged or stolen.

The dabbawalas' petition which went live on June 3, World Bicycle Day, and in less than 10 days has garnered support from 3,700 people in the form of signatures. The petition has been addressed to the municipal commissioner, transport commissioner and joint commissioner (traffic). The target is to collect 50,000 signatures before submitting the petition to the authorities.

The Waatavaran Foundation and Sustainable Mobility Network (SMN) conducted a perception study of Mumbai's dabbawalas last year, which revealed that 100 per cent of respondents were in favour of safe parking places while 89 per cent demanded dedicated bicycle lanes/tracks across the city.

A survey of dabbawalas in nine Mumbai localities sought to learn more about the infrastructure for riding and the difficulties experienced while making deliveries. It revealed that 92 per cent of respondents used bicycles as their primary mode of transportation. The survey also emphasised the dabbawalas' dedication to clean air and their forward-thinking position in advocating that last-mile delivery partners opt for bicycles.

Dabbawalas told mid-day that traffic is taking a toll on their efficiency and road safety is a cause for concern for all cyclists, not just their peers.

Ulhas Muke, president, Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Charity Trust, said, "We wish to use an environmentally responsible mode of transport for work. Making Mumbai a city with cycle-friendly infrastructure would encourage others, particularly other last-mile delivery partners, to choose bicycles. This will help the country achieve its zero-emission target. Although we are aware of the difficulties involved, creating parking for bicycles is simpler than for cars. Planning authorities are doing so much to beautify the city, so why can't we include cycling infrastructure, which is the need of the hour? We are optimistic that the government will help us and fellow Mumbaikars to continue to use bicycles."

Bhagwan Kesbhat, the founder of Waatavaran Foundation, said, "There have been numerous plans and talks about having full-fledged cycling tracks in the city. However, creating tracks at random locations is of no help. What we need is micro-cycling tracks in all wards. Not only dabbawalas but also a person at Bandra station should comfortably ride a cycle to his destination. This will be possible only if we have micro-cycling tracks, which will facilitate last-mile travel with zero emissions."

Kesbhat stated that cycling on busy city roads is fraught with peril. "In the absence of dedicated tracks, cycling will be risky with speeding vehicles reigning on the roads, which are not cycle-friendly. The civic body and other planning authorities need to think in terms of making cycling, or micro-cycling infrastructure, the future of the city. We need to build a narrative in the minds of Mumbaikars that walking or cycling is the best mode of last-mile connectivity. This will be possible only if we have enough infrastructure for cycling or walking."

Roshan Kedar, campaigns manager of Jhatkaa.org, who has helped the dabbawalas with the online petition, said, "Dabbawalas are suffering themselves, but all their demands, including the micro-cycling tracks, have been put forth, thinking not just about themselves but the entire city and Mumbaikars. Their demands, if fulfilled, will be really beneficial for all in every way. Through their campaign, the dabbawalas are paving the way for other cyclists and cycling enthusiasts in the city."

Dabbaful of demands

. Dedicated cycling infrastructure throughout the city, including well-maintained cycling lanes and parking facilities at strategic locations
. Collaboration with relevant authorities and stakeholders to create safe and secure parking spaces for cycles at suburban railway stations
. Awareness campaigns and educational initiatives to encourage the use of cycles as an eco-friendly mode of transport