Islamabad’s F-9 Park Needs Bike Tracks
The Islamabad Cycling Association has proposed bicycle lanes at Fatima Jinnah Park (F-9 Park), as it is the city’s largest urban park and yet does not contain the facility.
The addition of cycling lanes will add to the park’s request to visitors, who come in huge numbers to enjoy the tranquil surroundings.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) accepted the recommendation and has begun planning the program in collaboration with private-sector experts. The bike routes were planned over 50 years ago as part of the Islamabad Master Plan, however, dedicated bike lanes were introduced just a few years ago to promote a greener environment and improved public health in the city.
Islamabad used to be a pollution-free capital with hardly any traffic and citizens preferred to commute by bicycle. Green Force, an organization of environmentalists, has been campaigning for years, unsuccessfully, to make Islamabad a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly city.
Bicycles are, ironically, still not permitted in the F-9 Park, spanning 750 acres in size. However, the relevant authorities have now focused their attention on this situation. So far, the civic agency has constructed bike lanes on Constitution Avenue, Gomal Road, Faisal Avenue, F-8 Park Track, and Kachnar Park.
A CDA official has revealed “When the city was designated as the capital, cycling tracks in Islamabad were included in the master plan for its development. Now we are heading to achieve this purpose to maintain the green character of the city.” He said “Now we are going to build bicycle tracks along with pump tracks and open gyms for the visitors in Fatima Jinnah Park. It will certainly help promote bicycle culture in Islamabad.”
