The Federal Ministry of Transportation has urged Nigerians to think about using bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation as part of efforts to promote a healthier lifestyle and cleaner environment.
The goal is to increase and heighten the relevance of cycling in Nigeria as it will clearly result in a decline in road crash incidences, said Musa Ibrahim, Director, Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration, who made this statement during the one-day stakeholders sensitization conference held in Abuja.
Ibrahim pointed out that the stakeholders’ sensitization session coincides with World Bicycle Day, which is celebrated every year on June 3 in accordance with a UNGA decision.
According to the Director, the World Bicycle Day recognises “The uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle as a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport, fostering environmental stewardship and health” hence the United Nations 2023 World Bicycle Day theme: ‘Riding Together for a Sustainable Future’.
Speaking further, the Director noted that proponents have equally encouraged the use of bicycles as a means of eradicating poverty, furthering sustainable development, strengthening education, including physical education, for children and young people; promoting health, preventing disease, and facilitating social inclusion.
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Furthermore, on the importance of cycling in Nigeria, a proponent for Non-Motorised Transportation, NMT, the Chief Executive Officer, Ochenuell Mobility, Emmanuel John, in his presentation titled ‘Power of Cycling’, argued that cycling initiative extends beyond efforts to address climate change through cut down of carbon footprints.
In addition, John brought to fore that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, countries in a study, among others, outlined that most Africans countries throw away 3% of their Gross Domestic Product, GDP, to traffic congestion annually.
He proposed that developing an NMT travel culture in the country through the adoption of Green Corridors is a panacea to some of the identified drawbacks.
He pointed out that most of the challenges encountered with increased usage of motorised transportation will be reduced to a large extent if the Federal Government supports and adopts National Stakeholders Forum on Bicycle Transportation.
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