Kathmandu Metropolitan City has almost completed the expansion of the cycle lane and pavement from Maitighar Mandala to Tinkune.
Earlier, the cycle lane – separated only by a green line painted on the road – had drawn criticism for being risky and impractical. In response, a new cycle lane has been built alongside a widened pavement. However, cyclists claim the lane remains difficult to use.
Devendra Basnyat, secretary of the Nepal Cycling Association, noted that while the lane was finally built following pressure from the cycling community, it remains non-functional.
"This lane is not easy for cycling. There are problems right at the entry points, and many sections lack connectivity. There is a risk of accidents in certain areas, and many parts are too narrow. There is a lot of room for improvement."
Laxman Baniya, another cyclist, shared his experience of seeing attractive cycle lanes in developed countries and emphasized that pedestrian paths and cycle lanes must be clearly separated.
He said, "Although it is called a cycle lane, there is no proper lane here. There is no distinction between where cyclists ride and where pedestrians walk. The designer should have put themselves in a cyclist’s shoes while designing it, but that hasn’t happened. If they lacked the expertise, they should have consulted knowledgeable people.”
Saurabh Dhakal of Story Cycle, who has monitored the Tinkune–Maitighar road section’s cycle lane for nearly 13 years, said the condition remains unchanged.
“It’s the same as before; only the bricks have been replaced. There has been no noticeable work on grading, quality, or convenience. When work began on a new pavement here, we even submitted an application to the metropolitan city. We said the cycle lane should be redesigned and made user-friendly. Instead of encouraging more people to cycle, this lane might discourage them. To cover three and a half kilometers, one has to get off and remount nearly 20 times. There is still an opportunity to improve it by consulting with stakeholders,” said Dhaka.
