Bicycle lane in Pokhara turned into parking lot

BY SANTOSH SUBEDI,Kaski, Dec. 26: A three-kilometre bicycle lane constructed three years ago from Zero Kilometre to Mahendranagar in Pokhara has failed to serve its intended purpose. 

Cyclists often face disruption due to vehicles parked on the lane or other vehicles passing through it.  

In Pokhara, parking facilities are available only on one side of the road, an area leased by Pokhara Metropolitan City office. Parking is prohibited on the opposite side, where the bicycle lane is situated. However, private vehicles and taxis often occupy the lane, which also serves as a bus stop. Vehicles of all sizes can be seen using the bicycle lane which is often littered with garbage in the mornings. 

Despite a signboard prohibiting parking in the lane, vehicles are frequently seen parked right next to it. Prakash Shrestha, former president of Cycle City Pokhara, stated that the lack of awareness about bicycle lanes had created challenges for cyclists.

 “The lanes were built to promote a bicycle-friendly city, but they have been encroached upon. Currently, these lanes face obstructions everywhere, despite significant investment from the Pokhara Metropolitan City. Instead of promoting cycling, the current situation discourages cyclists,” he said.

To address these issues, Cycle City Pokhara has been organising awareness-generating campaigns aimed at discouraging parking in bicycle lanes. Shrestha said that informational boards were initially placed to raise awareness. Additionally, as in previous years, the organisation was planning a ‘Tour the Pokhara’ bicycle rally on June 3, World Bicycle Day 2025. The rally will cover 24.5 kilometres with the slogan ‘Cycling for Health, Environment and Tourism.’

The bicycle lanes were built as part of the Cycle City Pokhara initiative with an investment of Rs. 3 million by the Metropolitan City office. The city has also proposed connecting Pokhara’s major lakes, including Fewa, Begnas, Khaste and Dipang, with an 84-kilometre cycling route. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) has already been prepared for this purpose.

Shobha Pandey, Chief Traffic Inspector of the Kaski Traffic Office, stated that measures are being taken against vehicles parked in the bicycle lanes. “We have implemented actions such as padlocking parked vehicles. While enforcement has been sporadic, we’ve focused on the New Road area, where the problem is most severe. Mobile patrols are conducted, and penalties are imposed,” she said.