The Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) is set to revive cycling culture in the federal capital with the establishment of a new cycling club at the Pakistan Sports Complex. As part of this initiative, 300 sports bicycles procured from China through IPC’s own funds will arrive in Islamabad within two weeks. According to IPC Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, the club will become operational by the first week of January and will promote a healthier lifestyle among school and college students.
The IPC secretary said the club is being launched in collaboration with the Pakistan Cycling Federation. Students up to the Intermediate level will receive free access to bicycles and professional training, while weekly cycling races will be organised to encourage consistent participation. He clarified that the bicycles would remain the property of IPC and the Pakistan Sports Board, and will be provided free of cost to the participants.
Cycling, once a common mode of mobility in Islamabad, has declined drastically in recent years due to limited government support and neglected infrastructure. Although the Capital Development Authority (CDA) attempted to revive cycling by constructing dedicated tracks, progress stalled. A mega 374-kilometre cycling lanes project launched in 2023 was halted after completing only a 500-metre stretch along Jinnah Avenue, despite receiving a PC-I approval worth Rs2.8 billion.
Under the approved PC-I, CDA planned cycling lanes along Jinnah Avenue, Khayaban-i-Iqbal and service roads of 26 residential sectors, along with 150 bicycle and e-bike parking stations to be outsourced to private operators. The initiative aimed to reduce carbon emissions, provide equitable transport options and promote eco-friendly mobility in line with SDGs 11 and 13. The design emphasised convenient, safe and affordable mobility for residents who rely heavily on public transport and ride-hailing services.
The PC-I also proposed introducing e-bikes and promoting micromobility for delivery riders, highlighting cycling’s benefits in reducing greenhouse gases while improving air quality. Islamabad’s demographic advantage where only 2.73 percent of residents are above 65 further strengthens the city’s potential to adopt cycling as a mainstream mode of transportation.
A CDA official stated that the project was paused only for design improvements and not abandoned. With design support from the Asian Development Bank, CDA plans to refine the mega cycling lanes project while continuing its smaller-scale initiatives, such as dedicated tracks in F-9 Park and other public spaces. The official added that more cycling-friendly developments would be announced soon, signalling renewed momentum toward sustainable urban mobility in Islamabad.
