Greenway Nepal exhibited its green innovation at CAN Info-Tech 2022

As a green initiative in the field of information technology with the development of mobile applications, Greenway Nepal App was exhibited at CAN InfoTech 2022, one of Nepal’s most anticipated ICT-related exhibitions. The exhibition is such a place where a broader crowd will be present, so it was an ideal platform to exhibit Greenway Nepal App and raise awareness among the public about how the use of mobile technology can contribute to urban sustainability. Around 281 people attended our exhibition stall.

Organized by the Federation of Computer Association Nepal (CAN), the exhibition was held at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu for 6 days from 20-25 April. During the six days event, Greenway Nepal, as a multi-stakeholder campaign implemented by Cycle City Network Nepal (CCNN) with various organizations aiming to promote cycling and sustainable urban mobility, collaborated with its two new consortium partners: Clean Up Nepal and Wildlife Conservation Nepal (WCN) which embarked their future partnership for urban sustainability by extending its scope to solid waste management and plantation of trees.

Although it was a joint effort of the new three partners, each of us had three different activities presented to the public. While we had our greenway app, the other two partners performed solid waste management game/waste management programs (Clean Up Nepal) and briefing about 0ne million trees campaign (WCN). We cooperated and exchanged knowledge of our projects. It was great teamwork. The attendees attracted to cycling and greenway Nepal was given a briefing about the greenway campaign the development of the technological product, the greenway Nepal app, and instructed on how to use it. To perk up this event, a scheme ‘CAN InfoTech event ride’ with a reward of Rs.4500 worth of goodie bags from Pancbike was even launched on the app. Exhibiting at CAN InfoTech, was an opportunity where we interact with the public and learn what areas we are doing well and which areas need room for improvement. On this matter, a research survey was conducted as well so as to know about the perception of the public regarding cycling.

Data were collected from 281 participants which were further given to the research team, GD Labs. Based on their perceptions, it seemed that the majority of the participants knew how to ride a bicycle, and also they seem to be environmentally aware of the use of cycling as a pollution-free mode of transport, however, they feel unsafe riding on the street because of the lack of cycle infrastructures, especially cycle lanes and safety reasons. From the research study, it can be concluded that if there is the availability of proper cycle infrastructures and safety management for cycle riders, Kathmandu has a high potential to be known as a cycle-friendly city. If a government should focus on cycle policy and infrastructure to make cycling safer and easier in a city, it should create vehicle-free zone areas, and also rules and regulations should be stricter and more effective. Some of the changes that the participants think should be made include public awareness about existing cycle infrastructures and giving respect to the cycle riders on the street (especially disrespect from large vehicles). Health benefits, followed by environmental concerns seem to be the motivation for the participants for riding a cycle. Furthermore, if the cycle infrastructures are well improved, it can also be a great motivational factor. Below, we have some data from the research.


As an exhibitor, we not only showcased our app product to the exhibition stall attendees, but also got to exchange information and served as a chance to learn about the current technologies that other exhibitors showcased ranging from the network, security, mobile phones, and other digital solutions used in agriculture, health and other sectors.

The CAN Infotech exhibition was a place where we inform the public about where and how technology met green innovation.

Greenway Campaign Launched in Tilottama Municipality

Greenway campaign was launched in Tilottama Municipality of Rupandehi district by distributing bicycles to 51 school girls along with a bicycle rally. Bicycles were provided to 51 poor, destitute, marginalized, and backward class girls studying in community schools on the basis of the recommendation of the ward office on Friday 17 December 2021.

Under the Green-Way Nepal Campaign, bicycles have been distributed to the girls in Tilotta in collaboration with the Municipality, United Nations Development Program, Ncell, Kantipur Media Group, Cycle City Butwal, and Cycle City Network Nepal.

Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Basudev Ghimire said that bicycles have been provided to the adolescents to promote the cycle journey for healthy living and a clean city. Mayor Ghimire believes that getting a bicycle will make it easier for teenagers to reach school and will help them in their studies. Stating that Tilottama has been developed as an environment-friendly city, he informed that a mobile app will also be launched for the development of cycling culture. He said that Tilottama would be developed as a bicycle city as cycling would improve one’s health. Tilottama had distributed bicycles to more than 100 working women last year.

Speaking on the occasion, Lumbini-Gandaki Chief of the United Nations Development Program, Sudip Aryal, said that a bicycle promotion program has been launched for sustainable development, adding that the program would help in protecting the environment. Nivesh Dugad, vice-president of Cycle City Network Nepal, said that increasing the number of bicycle users would help in reducing air pollution and would have a positive impact on human health.

Ncell’s Swastik Ghimire mentioned that the cycling campaign will protect the environment of the city. In the program conducted by the spokesperson of the municipality Surendra Shree, the representatives of Bicycle Entrepreneurs Association Rupandehi, Bicycle City Butwal, and other organizations discussed the health and environment of a person while riding a bicycle. After the program, Mayor Basudev Ghimire, Deputy Mayor Jageshwari Devi Chaudhary, and other people’s representatives and teenagers who received bicycles also held a bicycle rally.

Bicycle Distribution at Tulsipur, Dang

Press Release

Greenway is a campaign to promote cycling and other environmentally friendly practices in Nepal. It is a multi-stakeholder campaign implemented by Cycle City Network Nepal (CCNN), with support of and in partnership with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC), Tulsipur Sub- metropolitan City, Kantipur Media Group (KMG), Ncell Axiata Limited. and IME Pay. The joint initiative with the slogan – “My way is the Greenway ” aims to create a platform to promote green initiatives and bring onboard institutions and people who believe in promoting sustainable urban mobility, curbing carbon emission, conserving the environment, and fostering partnership for urban sustainability.

As part of the “Women On wheels” campaign, 50 bicycles were handed over to different school girls from different schools around Tulsipur Sub-metropolitan City. The distribution program was held on the occasion of International Day of Peace, 21 September 2021 at the premises of Tulsipur Metro College, Haripauri, Dang. The girls were selected from 20 community schools belonging to 8-12th grade on the basis of their distance from school, low-income group family, commitment to complete their education, and not to marry before the age of 20. 

The bicycles were handed in the presence of the Mayor of Tulsipur- sub-metropolitan City- Mr. Ghanashyam Pandey, Resident Representative of United Nations Development Program- Ms. Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé (Sri Lanka), Province 4 and 5 head of United Nations Development Program- Mr. Sudeep Aryal, GESI Advisor of UNDP- Ms. Binda Magar, Regional Head of IME Pay, Mr. Subash Subedi, Senior Communication and CSR specialist of Ncell Axiata Limitedrepresentative, Mr. Ramesh Shrestha, Vice – President of Cycle City Network Nepal- Mr. Nivesh Dugar, Secretary of Cycle City Network Nepal- Ms. Anuradha Shrestha and Executive Director of Cycle City Network Nepal. 

The distribution of bicycles to the girl students was followed by a 2km bicycle rally from Tulsipur Metro College. Marking the International Day of Peace a tree was planted jointly by Mayor of Tulsipur Sub-metropolitan City- Mr. Ghanashyam Pandey and Resident Representative of United Nations Development Program- Ms. Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé on the premises of Tulsi Metro College.

Speaking at the program, Mayor of Tulsipur Sub-metropolitan City- Mr. Ghanashyam Pandey expressed that a bicycle is a tool for the freedom of mobility of girls if girls move forward as the world progresses. I commit to making Tulsi municipality a cycle-friendly city by adopting a bicycle policy in the near future. The campaign ‘Smart Chori’ will continue further in the future with more projects for women empowerment.

Vice president of Cycle City Network Nepal, Nivesh Dugar, addressed the program saying that the activities done for the promotion of Cycle and cycle-friendly programs have enhanced the sustainable development goals. 

Senior Communication and CSR specialist of Ncell Axiata Limitedrepresentative, Mr. Ramesh Shrestha congratulated all the recipients of bicycles on the day. The company states that it is pleased to join hands with UNDP for this green cause to promote cycling and contribute to achieving multiple SDGs related to the environment, health, and education. This initiative is aligned with Ncell’s commitment towards sustainable society as well as its parent company Axiata’s journey to becoming a net-zero carbon company.

Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program- Ms. Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé shared that the commitment from the local government has shown. Towards the sustainable development goals and sustainable mobility. I would also like to congratulate the safe, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable city on sustainable development goal no 11. We want to have a balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We are trying to promote sustainable transport- bicycles which can help reduce the impact of climate change. We would like to promote green mobility for girls. The distribution of bicycles is not enough. We need to create a conducive environment for safer mobility for everyone, especially girls. Even families play a vital role in encouraging the use of bicycles by women and girls. 

Deputy mayor of Tulsipur Sub- metropolitan City, Maya Sharma shared that the Smart Chori initiative brought forward by Tulsipur- sub-metropolitan City has successfully reached out to quite a few young girls and women. There are several programs in the pipeline towards the empowerment and welfare of women. 

NCELL UNDP

UNDP and Ncell partner for Cycling Promotion under Sustainable Development in Nepal

4 June 2021, Kathmandu

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Ncell Axiata Limited entered into a partnership to promote sustainable development solutions, including through promotion of cycling for healthy lives and cities in Nepal. UNDP Resident Representative Ayshanie Medagangoda Labe and Ncell CEO Andy Chong signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) virtually to this effect on June 4. 

The cycle campaign, dubbed ‘Greenway’, was originally launched in January 2021 with the objective of promoting sustainable urban transportation and environment-friendly lifestyle choices for urban dwellers. The aim is to demonstrate how cycling is an alternative mode of transport that is clean, healthy, and affordable for commuters in cities.

Under this MoU signed on the eve of the World Environment Day 2021, UNDP and Ncell, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), will collaborate to further expand the coverage of the cycle campaign to other aspiring cities outside the Kathmandu Valley. The campaign will make use of existing technology to track, map, credit and reward cycling for healthy cities.

People will be motivated to use bicycles or switch to cycling through a game that incentivises cyclists with rewards, and also favours clean businesses that sponsor and take part in the game. The campaign advocates for increased investment on cycle-friendly, safe infrastructure and aims to introduce incentives to motivate people to switch to or continue commuting on bicycles for multiple reasons, including, economic, health, environmental as well as COVID related safety reasons. 

“Through this MoU, UNDP and Ncell set our shoulders to the wheels and set them in motion. Simply put, to keep fit, to save lives and protect the planet,” said UNDP Resident Representative in Nepal Ayshanie Medagangoda Labe. “UNDP believes in the effectiveness of public private partnerships to achieve urban sustainability outcomes, and to alleviate issues such as air pollution, traffic congestion, and road safety that impact the quality of life of millions of city dwellers in Nepal.”

“Ncell is pleased to join hands with the United Nations for this green cause to promote cycling as a sustainable means of urban travel, practical for short- and medium commuting. Given the numerous benefits of cycling, we are hopeful this campaign has the potential to transform the way we travel in cities. This is aligned with Ncell’s commitment towards sustainable society as well as our parent company Axiata’s journey to becoming a net-zero carbon company,” said Ncell CEO Andy Chong.

The MoU signed between UNDP and Ncell expresses commitment to explore and undertake joint initiatives for the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nepal.

The Government of Nepal’s National Plan for Electric Mobility (NPEM) envisions improving air quality, among several other means, through 50% cut in the use of fossil fuels in the transport sector by 2050 and to decrease the rate of air pollution through proper monitoring of sources of pollutants across waste, old and unmaintained vehicles and industries. Promoting cycling in cities, is expected to be one of the immediate and low-cost sustainable ways of reaching that target. 

“It’s a win-win game accessible for everybody. Anyone with or without a smartphone can participate and enjoy the perks, while also keeping up the wellbeing of themselves and their cities,” said Cycle City Network Nepal (CCNN) President Sailendra Dongol. “After countless trials and tests, we have finally managed to launch a fully functioning cycle game app, Greenway. I call on everyone to join and take benefit from the campaign.”

दिगो विकासका लागि नेपालमा यूएनडीपी र एनसेलको साझेदारी

नेपालमा दिगो विकास तथा स्वस्थ जीवन र स्वच्छ शहरका लागि साइकल यात्रा अभियानको प्रवद्र्धन गर्न संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघ विकास कार्यक्रम (यूएनडीपी) र एनसेल आजियाटा लिमिटेडले साझेदारी गरेका छन् । यसका लागि यूएनडीपीकी आवासीय प्रतिनिधि ऐशानी मेडागाङ्गोडा लाबे र एनसेलका प्रमुख कार्यकाकारी अधिकृत एन्डी चोङ्ले जेठ २१ गते समझदारी पत्रमा (भर्चुअल रूपमा) हस्ताक्षर गरेका छन् ।

साइकल अभियानलाई ‘ग्रिनवे’ अर्थात् ‘हरितमार्ग’ एपको माध्यमलगायतबाट प्रवद्र्धन गरिनेछ । शहरी बासिन्दाका लागि दिगो शहरी यातायात र वातावरण–मैत्री जीवनपद्धतिको छनोट प्रवद्र्धन गर्ने उद्देश्यले यो अभियानको शुभारम्भ गत पुस २०७७ बाटै भएको थियो । शहरबासीका लागि स्वच्छ, स्वस्थ र सुपथ रहेको साइकल यात्रा कसरी वैकल्पिक माध्यम हुन सक्छ भन्ने कुराको पुष्टि गर्नु अभियानको ध्येय हो ।

‘विश्व वातावरण दिवस २०२१’को पूर्वसन्ध्यामा हस्ताक्षरित यस समझदारी पत्रअन्तर्गत यूएनडीपी र एनसेलले आफ्नो व्यावसायिक—सामाजिक जिम्मेवारी (सीएसआर)को हिस्साका रूपमा काठमाडौं उपत्यकाबाहिरका अन्य इच्छुक शहरहरूमा समेत साइकल अभियान विस्तार गर्न सहकार्य गर्नेछन् । अभियानले स्वस्थ शहरका लागि साइकल यात्राको नियमन, नक्सांकन, विश्वास तथा प्रोत्साहनका लागि विद्यमान प्रविधि प्रयोग गर्नेछ ।

मानिसहरूलाई प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक खेलमार्फत बढीभन्दा बढी साइकल प्रयोग गर्न उत्साहित गरिनेछ, जसले साइकलयात्रीलाई पुरस्कारसँगै प्रोत्साहित गर्ने र खेलमा सहभागी हुने तथा प्रायोजन गर्ने जस्ता वातावरणमैत्री व्यवसायलाई समेत पक्षपोषण गर्दछ । यस अभियानले साइकलमैत्री, सुरक्षित पूर्वाधारको बढ्दो लगानीका लागि वकालत गर्दछ । यससँगै आर्थिक, स्वास्थ्यलगायत वातावरणीय तथा कोभिड–सम्बद्ध सुरक्षाका लागि समेत मानिसहरूलाई साइकल जीवनशैली सुरु गर्न वा निरन्तर गर्न उत्प्रेरित गर्दछ ।

“यस समझदारी पत्रमार्फत, यूएनडीपी र एनसेलले काँधमा काँधदेखि पाउमा पाउ मिलाउँदै एउटै चालमा लय मिलाउनेछन् । सरल भाषामा भन्नुपर्दा, जीवनलाई स्वच्छ (फिट) र सुरक्षित राख्न तथा पृथ्वीलाई संरक्षण गर्न टेवा दिइनेछ,” यूएनडीपीकी आवासीय प्रतिनिधि ऐसानी मेडागांगोडा लेबले भन्नुभयो, “यूएनडीपी शहरी दिगो प्रतिफल हासिल गर्न र वायु प्रदूषण, सवारी चाप तथा सडक सुरक्षा एवं लाखौं शहरी बासिन्दाको गुणस्तरीय जीवनमा प्रत्यक्ष प्रभाव पार्ने सवालमा सार्वजनिक—निजी साझेदारीको प्रभावकारितामा विश्वास गर्दछ ।”

एनसेलका प्रमुख कार्यकाकारी अधिकृत एन्डी चोङ्ले यो अभियान दिगो समाजप्रतिको प्रतिबद्धता र मातृ कम्पनी आजियाटाको ‘नेट–जिरो कार्बन’ लक्ष्यसँग जोडिएको बताउनुभयो । “साइकल यात्रालाई शहरी आउजाउ, व्यावहारिक रूपमा छोटो–तथा मध्यम दूरीको यातायातको दिगो साधनका रूपमा प्रवद्र्धन गर्न र हरित उद्देश्य प्राप्तिका लागि संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघसँग हातेमालो गर्न पाएकोमा एनसेल आभारी छ,” उहाँले भन्नुभयो, “साइकल यात्राका अनेकन् फाइदासँगै हामी यो विश्वास गर्दछौं कि शहरमा यात्रा गर्ने हाम्रो शैलीमा परिवर्तनको सम्भावना छ ।”

यूएनडीपी र एनसेलबीच हस्ताक्षर भएको समझदारी पत्रले नेपालमा दिगो विकास लक्ष्यको प्रगतिका लागि संयुक्त रूपमा पहलकदमी लिन र अन्वेषण गर्न प्रतिबद्धता व्यक्त गर्दछ ।

नेपाल सरकारको ‘विद्युतीय आवागमनका लागि राष्ट्रिय योजना (एनपीईएम)’ले सन् २०५० सम्ममा अन्य विविध उपायसँगै यातायात क्षेत्रमा धाउजन्य इन्धन प्रयोग ५०५ ले घटाई वायु प्रदूषणमा सुधार ल्याउने लक्ष्य राखेको छ । त्यससँगै पुराना र मर्मत नगरिएका सवारीसाधन, उद्योगको फोहरबाट हुने प्रदूषण दर घटाउने लक्ष्य पनि एनपीईएमको छ । शहरमा साइकल यात्रा अभियानले यो लक्ष्यमा योगदान गर्ने अपेक्षा गरिएको छ ।

“यो सबैका लागि पहुँचयोग्य र सबैलाई फाइदा पु¥याउने एउटा खेल हो । कुनै पनि व्यक्तिले स्मार्टफोनबिनै वा यसको साथमा यसमा सहभागी हुन र सुविधा भोग गर्न पाउँछन्, जसले गर्दा उनीहरू आफैंको र शहरको समेत भलो हुन्छ,” साइकल सिटी नेटवर्क नेपाल (सीसीएनएन)का अध्यक्ष शैलेन्द्र डंगोलले भन्नुभयो, “असंख्य अभ्यास र परीक्षणपछि अन्ततः हामीले साइकल गेम एप, ग्रिनवे सुरु गर्न सकेका छौं । म यो अभियानमा भाग लिन र यसबाट लाभ लिन सबैमा आह्वान गर्दछु ।”

Campaign

Campaign to Promote Cycling for Healthy Cities Launched

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PRESS RELEASE

1 January 2021, Kathmandu

The Government of Nepal Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, United Nations Development Programme, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Kantipur Media Group and Cycle City Network Nepal jointly launched a new Campaign to promote cycling and other environment-friendly practices in Nepal.

The initiative, which will kick off with a cycle rally in Lalitpur on January 9, will promote sustainable urban mobility and environment-friendly lifestyle choices for urban populations in the context of COVID-19 and beyond by promoting cycling as an alternative mode of clean, healthy and affordable transport for commuters in cities. Part of the campaign will also focus on advocacy and awareness for adoption of cycle-friendly policies and programs and environment-friendly lifestyle choices for urban populations. The campaign will be launched from at least two municipalities, and one of them will be Lalitpur Metropolitan City, and will be scaled up further in the coming years.

The campaign will make use of existing technology to track, map, credit and reward cycling practices and gradually connect with the larger ecosystem of solutions for healthy cities. People will be motivated to use cycle or switch to cycling and other forms of cleaner transport through gamification of the cycling practice that incentivizes cyclists with rewards and also favours clean-businesses that sponsor and take part in the game. The campaign assumes that people will be more willing to switch to or continue cycle-commuting for multiple reasons, including, economic, health, environmental as well as COVID related safety reasons. The challenges are to ensure more investment for cycle-friendly infrastructure so that safety issues could be improved.

The cycle campaign will offer opportunities for private sector contribution through sponsorship and other in-kind rewards, along with some business development opportunities for interested private sector companies as we move ahead.

“Bicycle has been in use for two centuries, and it continues to be a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation, fostering environmental stewardship and health.  Cycling should be included in the development programmes where stakeholders encourage the use of the bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development. It is a means to access schools, health facilities, and to keep fit young and old, rich and poor alike,” said UNDP Resident Representative Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labe. Success of such initiatives, she said, will depend on how all others, including motorists and policy makers facilitate the ride, including safety and security.

“Lalitpur Metropolitan City is pleased to launch this joint campaign to further motivate the people in our city to use cycle as an alternative means of transport. As the first city to have initiated cycle lanes, I believe it makes great sense to initiate the cycle campaign from Lalitpur. We look forward to building healthier cities together,” said Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan.

“The Government of Nepal’s National Plan for Electric Mobility (NPEM) envisions improving air quality, among several other means, through 50% cut in the use of fossil fuels in the transport sector by 2050 and to decrease the rate of air pollution through proper monitoring of sources of pollutants across waste, old and unmaintained vehicles and industries. Promoting cycling in cities, I believe, will be one of the immediate and low-cost and most sustainable ways of reaching that target. Promoting cycling makes a strong case for sustainability of Nepal’s existing and emerging cities,” said Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Gopal Prasad Sigdel.

“We are proud to launch this campaign to encourage a larger mass to switch to cycling as an alternative mode of transport in cities across Nepal. We believe that this campaign would be helpful in bringing about a transformation for the good of our environment and public health,” said Mahesh Swar, Assistant General Manager of Kantipur Media Group.

“We are pleased to be part of this campaign which aims to provide an open platform for all cycle advocates to come together and collaborate for making our cities cycle friendly. The campaign will offer opportunities for private sector companies to sponsor, invest and experiment on a number of businesses around cycling, and other environment friendly practices such as recycling and plantation,” said CCNN President Shailendra Dongol.

The cycle campaign will also be backed up and supported by a wide range of partners, including Yeti Airlines, Sano Paila, G.D. Labs and Research and Cycling Cities, India. More partners and sponsors from local governments and private sector are expected to join in the coming days.

 

 

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