New Delhi, Bengaluru, Rajkot among winners of India Cycle4Change

In a major announcement the MInistry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) awarded 11 cities the title of India's Top 11 Cycing pioneers. The award marks the beginning of the phase 2 of the first season of India Cycles4Change Challenge wherein 107 cities across the country cumulatively tested, learnt, and scaled up different cycling-friendly initiatives, kickstarting India’s cycling revolution.

Earlier this year, a list top performing 25 cities where shortlisted for this campaign. The Jury comprising of renowned national and Internationals transport experts shortlisted 11 top performing cities who will be awarded an amount of INR 1 crore each to scale up their cycling initiatives and infrastructure. Four cities including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Bengaluru and Rajkot, had been specially mentioned for their efforts in testing the pilot initiatives as part of the challenge. 

An online event was organised on 28th July 2021 by MoHUA to make this announcement. DurgaShanker Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), announced the Top 11 winning cities. The event was attended by officials from Central and State Governments, and other stakeholders from all cities participating in India Cycles4Change Challenge. The event also marked the release of the first Challenge report, and an Online Exhibition showcasing cities' cycling journey. The Ministry also announced the second season of the Challenge beginning in August, 2021, wherein fresh applications will be invited from all Smart Cities, capital cities of States/UTs and all cities that have an established Municipal Corporation.

Durga Shankar Mishra further added, "2020 inspired India’s cycling revolution. Cities and citizens joined hands for the first time, to test, learn, and scale up ideas to become cycling havens. The results have been resounding: more people are cycling; city officials and public representatives are leading by example—cycling to work—and we are backing the city’s efforts with investments. I encourage more cities to join the cycling revolution and work towards a cycling-friendly future.”