The Federal Ministry of Transportation has encouraged Nigerians to consider bicycles as alternative means of commuting.
Vanguard reports that the Director, Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration, Musa Ibrahim, stated this at a one-day stakeholders sensitization meeting held in Abuja. According to the report, Ibrahim said 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.
Ibrahim noted that the stakeholders sensitisation meeting is in consonance with the World Bicycle Day that is marked annually on June 3 through a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution.
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.