Beyond the Weather: Urban Form and Active Mobility. The case of eight Indian cities

Abstract Indian cities are among the most pedestrian-intensive in the world, yet non-motorised transport (NMT) infrastructure remains chronically underinvested. Weather, extreme heat, monsoon rainfall, and humidity are often cited in planning discourse as inherent barriers to walking and cycling and as justification for limited infrastructure. This paper challenges that framing. Drawing on a cross-city analysis of active travel share across Indian cities and a narrative review of global and Indian literature, this paper finds no significant association between temperature or rainfall and NMT modal share. Active travel rates are explained by urban form, density, land use mix, and network connectivity, not climate. Cities with mild weather and high walkability scores, like Chandigarh, record the lowest walking rates, while cities exposed to extreme heat and flooding, such as Ahmedabad and Mumbai, sustain some of the highest active transport shares. The paper argues that weather is not the barrier; poor infrastructure is. Where streets are designed to respond to climate through shade, drainage, green corridors, and weather-adapted footpaths, the deterrent effect of extreme weather on active travel can be greatly reduced. The stakes go beyond modal share. For millions of low-income commuters, women, and informal workers who walk out of necessity, investment in NMT infrastructure is not a planning nicety but a matter of health, safety, and urban equity.