FG tells Nigerians to consider bicycle for transportation

• Stakeholders meeting in Abuja discusses promoting cycling in Nigeria
• Aim to reduce road crash incidences
• Advocates highlight bicycles’ potential in eradicating poverty, supporting education, and promoting health
  

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The Federal Ministry of Transportation has disclosed that it is considering the use of bicycles as an alternative means of commuting as it promotes a cleaner environment and a healthy lifestyle.

The Director, Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration, Musa Ibrahim, stated this at the one-day stakeholders sensitization meeting held in Abuja recently.

According to Ibrahim, the idea is to enhance and heighten the importance of cycling in Nigeria, as it will obviously lead to a drop in road crash incidences.

He noted that the stakeholder’s sensitization meeting is in consonance with World Bicycle Day, which is marked annually on June 3 through a United Nations General Assembly resolution.

In a statement on Thursday by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike, Ibrahim said that 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.

Expanding on the subject, the Director emphasized that advocates have also been promoting the adoption of bicycles as a way to combat poverty, advance sustainable development, bolster education (including physical education) for children and youth, improve public health, prevent diseases, and foster social inclusion.

The Chief Executive Officer, Ochenuell Mobility, Emmanuel John, argued that the cycling initiative extends beyond efforts to address climate change by cutting down on carbon footprints.

In addition, John brought to the fore that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Countries, in a study amongst others, outlined that most African countries throw away three per cent of their Gross Domestic Product to traffic congestion annually.