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When it comes to urban transportation and haulage, it may be a case of 'Back-to-the-Future' for Asian cities. Nonmotorised vehicles (NMVs in the jargon of economists and city planners) account for 25 to 80 per cent of all vehicular transport in many Asian cities. In Shanghai, for example, nearly half the population rides a bicycle, and rickshaws and hand-pushed carts are a widespread sight in most cities in Asia today.

Although the number of cars is incrfeasing at great speed, the number of NMVs also continues to rise. This may be good news for city planners and environmentalists who are trying to cope with pollution and other costs associated with motorised traffic in developing cities. NMVs offer affordable, quick and convenient transportation for trips of short to intermediate distances. They are also ecologically sound, significantly reducing air and noise pollution, petroleum consumption, global warming, and traffic congestion.

Yet, the future of NMVs is at risk unless their use is supported by government policy. As Asian cities continue to grow – most of the world's largest cities are in this region – and as the number of motor vehicles increases, street space for safe NMV, use is frequently lost. In addition, credit finacing and transport planning often favor motorised vehicles. In Jakarta, for example, bans, fines, and taxes that severely restrict or eliminate rickshaws have been in effect over the past five years.

Nevertheless, support for one transportation mode need not exclude the other. Adopting regulations that support NMV use, while allowing for motor vehicles and pedestrian traffic, is an attainable, realistic goal, as many Asian cities have discovered. This can be achieved by maintaining extensive cycle paths and NMV parking at rail and bus terminals to provide easy access to as many destinations as possible to both drivers and cyclists. Employee commuter subsidies offered to those bicycling to work, and accelerated domestic NMV production are other effective incentives for NMV use.

(Finance and Development, vol. 29, no. 3, September 1992.)

Summary

Nonmotorised vehicles constitute between 25 and 80 per cent of all vehicles in many Asian cities in, the form of (1). Their number is increasing, though cars are also on the rise. Supporting the two types of transport need not be mutually exclusive NMVs have the advantage of being good for the (2) and cheap. However, their use must be actively encouraged by (3). For example, (4) should be supported while people who cycle to work can (5).

TASK 4