Should Nigeria embrace cycling culture?
By Kayode Adebiyi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
In 2001, Nigeria’s then Minister of Transportation, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, became a vocal proponent of cycling.
He posited that Nigerians should adopt cycling as a solution to the gridlock crippling Nigeria’s economy.
The late minister not only walked the talk by cycling to work, but he also made efforts to establish bicycle route networks in Abuja and Lagos.
However, critics of Maduekwe’s bicycle advocacy said that the roads were unsafe for cyclists, and Maduekwe himself was pushed into a ditch by a bus while cycling to work.
Nevertheless, both Maduekwe’s enthusiasm for cycling as an alternative transportation option and his experiences while demonstrating it highlighted the prospects and challenges of adopting a safe and healthy cycling culture.
In 2015, 14 years after Maduekwe’s bicycle advocacy, another bicycle enthusiast was making another case for bicycles and cycling in the U.S.
Prof. Leszek Sibilski, a Polish-American sociologist, started pushing for World Bicycle Day in an academic project on the role of bicycles in development.
The project grew into a global advocacy movement and gained the support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Mobility for All.
In April 2018, Sibilski’s wish came to fruition when the United Nations General Assembly declared June 3 of every year as World Bicycle Day.
The GA Resolution, which established the day, recognised “the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that it is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport”.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), regular physical activity of moderate intensity, such as cycling, has significant benefits for health.
“Safe infrastructure for walking and cycling is also a pathway for achieving greater health equity.
“For the poorest urban sector, who often cannot afford private vehicles, walking and cycling can provide a form of transport while reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, diabetes, and even death.
“Accordingly, improved active transport is not only healthy; it is also equitable and cost-effective,” it said.
The UN said bicycle contributes to cleaner air and less congestion, and makes education, healthcare, and other social services more accessible to the most vulnerable populations.
It also said that as a sustainable transport system that promotes economic growth, reduces inequalities, and bolsters the fight against climate change, cycling is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Apart from its health benefits and environmental friendliness, the origin and evolution of the bicycle are also captivating.
In an article titled ‘Pedal for Change: Celebrating World Bicycle Day’, published in commemoration of the day, Dr Mark Stoutenberg captured a fascinating evolution of the bicycle.
“1817, German inventor Karl von Drais built the ‘running machine,’ a two-wheeled horseless vehicle propelled by its rider.
“A few decades later, pedals were added, followed by innovations like the high-wheeled penny-farthing in the 1860s, featuring a large front wheel and small rear wheel, notoriously difficult to ride.
“The late 19th century saw the beginning of the modern ‘safety’ bicycle, which resembles current designs, with two equal-sized wheels and a chain-driven mechanism, providing greater stability and increasing accessibility led to a rapid growth in global popularity.
“Over time, cycling technology evolved: lighter frames, gears, and terrain-specific models expanded the possibilities for riders, from urban and rural commuters to cycling athletes.”
The article highlighted how cycling cultures are either flourishing or experiencing a revival in many parts of the world.
For instance, the Netherlands, where there are more bicycles than people, is famous for its world-class bicycle infrastructure.
Japan and China are known for orderly bicycle street-sharing models, while Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is known for its Cycle Superhighways.
In fact, in 2022, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Copenhagen earned a reputation for being the most bicycle-friendly city in the world, with over 672,000 bikes on its 384 kilometres of cycle lanes.
India, South Africa, and Colombia are also some of the many countries experiencing a revival in their cycling cultures.
An environmental activist said, “In some major cities in China, there are dedicated areas where only bicycles are allowed as a means of transportation.
“For instance, on some university campuses, there are ‘green areas’ where motor-powered means of transportation are prohibited, including motorised bicycles.”
The National Today, a social diary website, reiterated what the UN said, that cycling is a great form of exercise, good for the environment, and promotes a good sense of adventure.
With these benefits and the commitment to cut down carbon emissions, especially in cities, why has Nigeria’s cycling culture been dwindling rather than flourishing?
Enthusiasts say bicycle infrastructure has to be put in place first.
According to the Federal Ministry of Transport, Abuja is the only city that has facilities for bicycle riding.
In 2017, the ministry unveiled a pilot project to introduce bicycle riding as a means of transportation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The project, approved by the National Council on Transportation, aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve public health.
However, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says that infrastructure adjustments must be made to support cycling culture in Abuja.
It also said national road safety regulations will need to be amended to include provisions for the safety of cyclists.
“FRSC studied all the road networks in Abuja, and we have identified the gaps and recommended measures to address them.
“During the study, which we carried out with Federal Capital Territory Administration officials, we found out that all roads and streets have provisions for bicycle lanes in the design.
“But at the point of construction, the lanes were either ignored or merged with pedestrian walkways, thereby making the walkways too wide. In some cases, they were turned into green areas.
“A key concern, therefore, is the need for re-engineering of intersections and traffic lights to provide for cyclists,” the corps said.
In 2023, five years after the pilot scheme was unveiled, the FCT Administration reiterated its commitment to encouraging cycling as a means of transport in the nation’s capital.
Experts say that apart from being one of the most environmentally sustainable means of transportation, cycling boosts physical and mental health as well as helping in preventing chronic diseases such as high blood pressure.
“Bikes provide affordable, reliable transport, especially in underserved communities, closing gaps in mobility, education, and opportunity and fostering social inclusion,” Stoutenberg said.
It is a concerted view that for Nigeria to embrace the cycling culture, there should be intensive awareness creation and provision of enabling infrastructure.(NANFeatures)
***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.
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