Should African Cities Promote Cycling And Walking?

How many people walk or cycle in cities in Africa?

The majority of people living in African cities walk, cycle or take public transport. For example, in Kigali more than 90% of trips are made by foot or bicycle. Nairobi has the most diverse travel mode share, with about 30% of trips by car and nearly 60% by walking and cycling. People walk and cycle for commuting, shopping, recreation and other daily activities. Even in wealthier cities like Johannesburg, two-thirds of trips are made by walking or cycling. Some countries – such as Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia – have supported policies to developed non-motorized transport (walking and cycling).

Levels of walking and cycling have been declining in Africa’s major cities.

The primary reason for the declining levels of walking and cycling is that many of Africa’s cities are being redesigned to accommodate increasing numbers of private cars.

In 2002, only about half of households in Accra owned cars. By 2014, this had risen to more than 80%. In Dakar, the proportion rose from just under 50% in 2004 to nearly 90% in 2013. The statistics show that declines in walking and cycling have occurred alongside these increases in motorised transport. This can be explained by a number of factors including the notion that driving a car has become an important status symbol and that many people – especially women – now find it easier to travel across long distances by car.

This trend needs to be reversed as cities continue to grow, because too many cars hamper urban mobility rather than improving it.

Dakar, the capital of Senegal, once had an active cycling scene. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, it was common to see people riding bicycles – even in suits. “People would dress up and go to work on their bikes”, says a former student activist who spent his childhood in Dakar. At that time, most people were too poor to afford cars. But cycling was not just for those at the bottom of the socio-economic scale. Middle-class families also got around by bike because it provided them with a means of transport that was cheaper than owning a car – and more convenient than public transport. 

Bicycling has become less common because there are more cars.

Cycling and walking have become less common in African cities for a number of reasons. Although the price of bicycles has not changed, cars are more expensive, so people choose to use them instead. The growing middle class see them as a status symbol. Also, many roads are no longer suitable for cyclists. They were built to allow bicycles to travel along with cars and pedestrians but this is no longer possible now that there are so many cars on the road. Most roads in African cities are rarely repaired and they’re not designed so that cyclists can avoid traffic jams.

Roads are being built to accommodate cars, not people.

Even if you’re not a cyclist or a pedestrian, this is an issue that you should still be concerned about. While most cities across Africa have large populations of car users and motorcyclists, the city authorities often fail to build roads that can accommodate their large numbers. Instead, they end up building substandard roads or adding more lanes to existing roads in order to address the congestion problem. These poorly built roads are generally unsafe for all types of road users: car drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists/pedestrians.

Bicyclists and pedestrians face big safety risks.

Poorly built roads are not only a challenge for cars and motorbikes but also for cyclists and pedestrians as there are no dedicated cycling lanes on many African cities’ streets. This means that cyclists often have to share the same space on the road with cars and motorbikes which are much faster than them. This puts the lives of the cyclists at risk especially when they have to overtake vehicles from behind which may cause them to fall off their bikes into traffic causing accidents.

Another challenge that faces cyclists in many African cities is bike parking spaces at bus stations, schools, offices etc., making it difficult for some people who wish to cycle to their destinations instead of taking public transport such as buses or trains due to safety concerns as well as lack of sufficient parking spaces for bicycles in most African cities.

As it stands, the roads being built are primarily made to accommodate and encourage car use, not walking or cycling. This is a common phenomenon everywhere in the world—but this is also where our cities have made a mistake. Roads are often built too wide and therefore too dangerous for vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists and public transport commuters. Roads are designed to be used by cars at speed and when they fail to do that they fail at their primary function.

Another issue with road infrastructure in African cities is maintenance and upkeep of existing roads. In many African countries, existing roads are poorly maintained. The reasons for this vary from poor budgetary allocation for maintenance to issues of corruption relating to construction contracts or outright theft of funds meant for maintenance work.

This trend needs to be reversed as cities continue to grow, because too many cars hamper urban mobility rather than improving it.

There is no shortage of evidence from around the world that shows that people-centric infrastructure development pays off in terms of better health outcomes, less pollution, economic gains (less congestion) improved safety and overall benefits for society as a whole. Urban planners need to take heed of these lessons learnt if they want our cities to be more livable places where all citizens can thrive.

THE FUTURE OF CYCLING AND WALKING

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we use public spaces.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we use public spaces. As many countries re-open their economies and ease travel restrictions, cities are looking for ways to provide more space for people while preventing the spread of the virus. That means putting physical barriers between people, such as at open squares and streets that have become important meeting places during lockdowns. It also means more visible signs reminding us all about mask wearing and social distancing rules in public spaces like parks where it may be difficult to keep two metres apart from others at all times

Governments are promoting cycling and walking to reduce congestion and pollution, improve health and make cities safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Making cities safer for cycling and walking should be a priority for governments, especially in Urban Africa. The Congestion, pollution and low safety are critical concerns in today’s cities.

Research shows that the more people walk or cycle, the fewer cars there are on the road. With less traffic on the roads, it is possible to reduce congestion, decrease pollution and make cities safer for all road users.

Some governments have already introduced measures to encourage walking and cycling. For example, some African cities have introduced bicycle lanes so that cyclists can travel safely and will use their bicycles more often. Governments must also introduce policies that promote pedestrian friendly communities by improving street design to make sure pedestrians feel safe when crossing roads. This can be done through improved street crossings or overpasses for pedestrians with wheelchairs or strollers so that mothers with children can cross roads easily without worrying about vehicles hitting them or their children.

Despite these, African governments face numerous challenges in promoting cycling and walking infrastructure.

Read Also: Public Transportation in Africa: Informal Transport or Paratransit

Governments can also collect data on how people travel throughout their country – whether they use cars or other modes of transport like taxis and buses – by conducting surveys to find out what needs to be improved and where additional infrastructure needs to be built.

Local governments can introduce policies that promote the use of bicycles by constructing safe bicycle lanes, improving roads and providing more bike parking spaces at bus stations, schools, etc.

Local governments can introduce policies that promote the use of bicycles by constructing safe bicycle lanes, improving roads and providing more bike parking spaces at bus stations, schools, etc. This could be done through collaboration with companies or NGOs that have expertise in building bike racks.

Schools can encourage students to cycle to school by installing safe parking facilities for bicycles.

Apartments or office buildings can provide safe spaces for residents/employees to park their bicycles when they are not using them. This is especially important in residential areas where people are living in one-room apartments without any storage space for bikes outside their homes.

S,o, don’t worry if you’re feeling a little rusty with your bicycle. Sometimes it just takes a few tries to get the hang of something! The most important thing is to remember that your safety comes first. When you’re first getting started, take it slow and avoid riding in traffic until you feel comfortable. Don’t forget to let us know how cycling is in your country!

Images Sources: Guardian and Saiia