Urban Morph
The Pitch
Urban Morph’s Relief Riders program addressed supply shortages brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic by forming a network of volunteer bike riders who delivered essential goods.
The Problem
The COVID-19 pandemic created supply shortages of medicine and medical equipment across Bengaluru. Pandemic lockdowns isolated communities and prevented some households from buying groceries.
The Process
- Recruited a volunteer network of bicyclists who delivered medicine and groceries to households in need throughout Bengaluru
- Built temporary bicycle lanes throughout the city during the pandemic to improve and expand routes for “Relief Riders”
- Partnered with the Council for Active Mobility (CFAM) on the #My15MinCity pledge campaign to encourage residents to avoid using motorized transport for short trips
- Continues to work closely with city administration and CFAM to increase cycling in the city
The Impact
- Delivered essential supplies via 300 Relief Riders across all wards of Bengaluru to address the medicinal and grocery needs of isolated households
- Supported the city to construct 17 kilometers of bike lanes and 25 kilometers of bike pathways during the pandemic to make routes safer and encourage cycling
- Increased bicycle trips by 500% during the pandemic
- Helped to drastically increase bicycle sales
- Influenced 1,000+ residents to pledge to use bicycles in their neighborhood through the #My15MinCity campaign
- Made biking more popular among Bengaluru’s residents, reducing emissions and improving public health
- Inspired the city to draft the Active Mobility Bill, which introduced protections for the rights of pedestrians and cyclists
