Rethinking Indian cities for active living

In London, people often run from home to their place of work. In New York and Madrid, it's common to see people exercising in parks during lunch breaks and after office hours.

- Shrenik Avlani

In Salo on the shores of Lake Garda in Northern Italy, running and cycling around the lake are among the most popular activities for the town's residents. In Paris, Berlin and Geneva, swimming in the lakes in the summer and in public pools during winter months is an integral part of regular life. While exercise is becoming more common in India and new condominiums have sports and exercise facilities to cater to the demands of their residents, a question to be asked is whether our cities and public spaces are keeping pace with our evolving lifestyles? Are they encouraging us to lead healthier lives like other cities across the world?

Our cities still prioritise vehicles over people, points out Sony K, a 47-year-old banker from Bengaluru who loves running. "Broken footpaths, encroached sidewalks, lack of cycling lanes, poor lighting, and traffic make exercising outdoors unsafe. Parks exist but access is uneven. Bengaluru is often called the runners' hub of India yet runners don't get respect on the roads. There's little safe space for training, and the mindset of motorists and city planning still ignores fitness users," says Sony. Delhi-based celebrity trainer and founder of Kosmic Fitness, Gagan Arora, says the situation isn't very different in Delhi either. "We are still far behind when it comes to public infrastructure that promotes an active lifestyle. We don't have proper pavements for walking or jogging, no cycling tracks for commuters, lack of road etiquette and respect for pedestrians and cyclists. The public gyms and parks we have are in serious need of maintenance," says Arora who regularly conducts outdoor training sessions in Delhi.