Maintaining high quality standards and excellent customer service will be critical to the successful rollout of cycle sharing in India over the coming years. Public cycle sharing systems: A planning toolkit for Indian cities introduces the key ingredients of best practice cycle sharing systems. The toolkit draws from lessons learned from cycle sharing projects around the world while presenting adaptations to administrative structures and transport system typologies found in the Indian context.

Modern cycle sharing systems employ information technology systems to ensure security, provide real-time customer information, and facilitate the redistribution of cycles. These IT features enable the operator to ensure that cycles are available when and where users need them. IT systems also provide a way for the implementing agency to monitor system status and ensure that the operator meets service level standards. A combination of good engineering and constant oversight on the part of the government will ensure that cycle sharing systems can attract a diverse set of users. The toolkit was developed on behalf of the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, as part of India’s National Public Bicycle Scheme.

The toolkit reflects the input of numerous stakeholders during a series of public consultations in 2011 and 2012. ITDP wishes to thank the Chairperson of the working group, B. I. Singal, Director General of the Institute of Urban Transport, and all those who provided input and support for the preparation of the document. ITDP welcomes further suggestions to improve the toolkit. Write to india@itdp.org.