Concern over safety of cyclists, walkers in Delhi

Days after CSE director general Sunita Narain was injured while cycling, the NGO today voiced concern over inadequate infrastructure for walkers and cyclists in the national capital
It said that road and urban design of our cities was also responsible for increasing accident risk.
The remarks come as Narain was today discharged from AIIMS after 11 days. Doctors said that Narain was recovering well and she was hopeful of getting back to work very soon.
A CSE statement issued today said that as it was not easy and safe for people to walk and cycle, or access public transport, the focus will steadily shift to personal vehicles and add to the pollution and congestion crisis.

"This is also an occasion to send out a grim reminder that the road and urban design of our cities is also responsible for increasing accident risk," the statement said.
The NGO said that road and urban design should give primacy to people and their safety should be in forefront of transportation planning.

"This paradigm shift is needed to ensure zero tolerance for any injury on roads. This also demands urgent and rapid reforms in public transportation to reduce dependence on personal vehicles," the statement added.
CSE said that road accident data for the year 2012 from the Union ministry of road transport and highways shows that about five persons die and around 18 are injured in road accidents in Delhi every day.

"It is shocking that every hour one person is either killed or injured in road accident in Delhi. This adds to the disability related public health burden of the city enormously," Anumita Roychowdhury, CSE executive director research and advocacy said.
"It is stunning and ironical that while cars and two-wheelers are taking over roads, the city is not noticing the staggering number of walkers and cyclists who are the majority in the city," she added.
Doctors performed some major surgeries on Narain at AIIMS in New Delhi.
Two titanium rods were implanted in her arms to support her shattered wrists and surgeons reconstructed her broken nose.