Applying a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) to a Public Bicycle Sharing System in Dwarka, New Delhi, India

The SAVi assessment of a proposed Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) system in Dwarka, New Delhi, demonstrates that while the project may show negative conventional financial results, the integration of social and environmental externalities creates a strong positive business case. Across three demand scenarios, the system is projected to generate significant net benefits, with discounted net benefits over 20 years ranging from INR 3.14 billion to INR 4.82 billion. The largest benefits are derived from time saved, increased retail revenues, and higher property values, which outweigh the primary negative externality of increased cyclist exposure to air pollution.

• The PBS system is projected to be financially non-viable under traditional analysis but highly beneficial when integrating externalities. Conventional net results are negative across all demand scenarios, but SAVi net results are positive, with discounted net benefits over 20 years estimated between INR 3.14 billion (~USD 44.4 million) for low demand and INR 4.82 billion (~USD 68.2 million) for high demand.
• The assessment identified nine externalities, finding that positive benefits significantly outweigh the single negative externality. The most substantial benefits come from the economic value of time saved, increases in retail revenues, and property value growth. The only negative externality is the increased direct exposure to air pollution for cyclists.
• The PBS system is designed to shift mobility patterns away from buses, cars, motorcycles, auto rickshaws, pedal rickshaws, and walking. Under the high-demand scenario, this shift would result in 23,993 daily trips and 63,922 avoided daily vehicle km.
• The SAVi results serve as a benchmark for public authorities, such as the Delhi Development Authority, to determine the maximum investment for bicycle lanes and road safety infrastructure over a 20-year period to make the PBS system viable.

APA

Wuennenberg, L., Bassi, A. M., Perera, O., & Pallaske, G. (n.d.). Applying a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) to a Public Bicycle Sharing System in Dwarka, New Delhi, India. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/savi-dwarka-india-bicycle-sharing-brochure-en.pdf

Chicago

Wuennenberg, Laurin, Andrea M. Bassi, Oshani Perera, and Georg Pallaske. Applying a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) to a Public Bicycle Sharing System in Dwarka, New Delhi, India. International Institute for Sustainable Development, n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/savi-dwarka-india-bicycle-sharing-brochure-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Wuennenberg |first1=Laurin |last2=Bassi |first2=Andrea M. |last3=Perera |first3=Oshani |last4=Pallaske |first4=Georg |title=Applying a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) to a Public Bicycle Sharing System in Dwarka, New Delhi, India |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/savi-dwarka-india-bicycle-sharing-brochure-en.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wuennenbergndapplying, author = {Wuennenberg, Laurin and Bassi, Andrea M. and Perera, Oshani and Pallaske, Georg}, title = {{Applying a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) to a Public Bicycle Sharing System in Dwarka, New Delhi, India}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/savi-dwarka-india-bicycle-sharing-brochure-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }