Every year, June has been marked as the Bicycle Month, while the annual declaration is announced on the third day of the month. The day is set aside to celebrate the undying mobility king all over the world. Not just a day to celebrate the road king but also a day to remember and remind us on the social and economic importance of bicycle. Further, this day raises consciousness on bicycle usage and the service it renders. Despite other modern and faster means of transportation, the age-long bicycle has refused to quit or be displaced. The uniqueness of its function remains unshakable.
In the time pass, those who used bicycles were great, wealthy and respectful individuals such as the chiefs, rulers, achievers and those who were exceptionally doing well. Owning and riding a bicycle was a symbol of pride and attainment of success in life exclusively reserved for those who reached the zenith of affluence. Excited friends, relatives and fans rushed to the roadsides to catch the glimpse of the bicycle and the rider of course a notable leader indeed. The social value of bicycle in our society was so high that in 1957 when the first Miss Nigeria was organized, the star prize presented to the winner, Miss Grace Oyelude, was a bicycle. She was so excited with her prize that she rode and displayed it at every little opportunity. Sadly, many look down on the use of bicycle today, despite its importance and value. Bicycle was the major means of transportation and was also used for commercial purpose in our communities; passengers were taken to their destinations before it was replaced by motorcyclists popularly called Okada.
The origin of bicycle is traced to Europe in the 19th century, with credit to Germany in 1817. From Europe, the usage of bicycle spread to other parts of the world, including Nigeria. This has not gone without modifications and rebranding. There are male and female bicycles. The male bike has centre crossing. Presently, over 1 billion bicycles are in circulation in the world with 500 million produced in China while there are only 1.5 million cars globally, according to global economic and business three years ago. This means outside being an economic tool, bicycle also creates businesses and wealth for market vendors, contributing significantly to the economic stability of nations.
In some countries, the citizens and their government value bicycles than cars, to the extent that top government officials go to work with bicycles. Although, it happened in Nigeria a time ago, when Chief Ojo Maduekwe of blessed memory rode bicycle to his office in Abuja when he was a minister for transportation in an effort to popularize the use of bicycle among the elite, this event attracted mixed reactions from Nigerians. The rest is history. In the past, the use of bicycles was a choice mobility tool among the senior public and civil servants in Nigeria. Today, it is still a choice in many European countries. Among the countries with higher bicycle usage are Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, China, etc with Netherlands topping the list followed by Demark, the former has a population of 17 million with 23 million bicycles ; in Copenhagen for example, the number of bicycles in the city is extensively more than the cars. Over 61 percent inhabitants of the city go to work, school and farm with bicycles. Many countries whose bicycle usage is higher are far richer than Nigeria. For instance, per capita income of Denmark is over $72,000, Netherlands $65,000, Germany $ 54,214, China $13,300; while Nigeria is about only $800; yet every Nigerian is desperate to ride a car not for necessity but to show off or symbol of status.
Though, the use of bicycle may be higher in the rural areas than in the cities, the obstacle against the use of bicycle in the cities and urban areas could be attributed to unfriendly environment for the users. The bicycle users are regarded as vulnerable road users and are not adequately protected by government policies. Our tarred roads are not planned to accommodate the vulnerable road users as if the bicycle users are quarantined to rural local roads only. The rights of all road users must be protected by the authorities; the law is meant to protect both the strong and the weak. For instance, no federal or state government road has dedicated a lane or path for the disabled or bicycle users. Suffice to say that, Nigerian road infrastructure is strictly planned for vehicle users only; the interest of other road users is submerged and their safety compromised. This is neither justice nor fairness, certainly an aberration. The current situation where the lives of bicycle road users are exposed to preventable risk is unacceptable. Either by error of omission or commission of the Ministry of Works and relevant authorities in the road construction is discriminatory; which is tantamount to exclusion, violation and infringement on the rights of the bicycle riders. Every road user, including the vulnerable ones should enjoy equal access and protection in the government road policies and programmes. Let us build a society where equal rights and justice is dispensed to all.
The importance of bicycle ranges from economic tool to citizen use for daily businesses. There are no health disadvantages on riding bicycle. It is a low impact exercise which it builds muscles and nerves of the legs; it supports joint health and mental well-being and improves the functions of the heart which plays fundamental role in longevity. The life expectancy in both Netherlands and Denmark is around 82 years; while Nigeria is less than 55 years. Bicycle could be used for leisure and recreation. Bicycle is also environment friendly, it protects our environmental from pollution and carbon emission, and thus it does not produce smoke which has been indicted in the climate change crisis.
To improve the culture of bicycle riding, the government should create bicycle lanes on some major roads. The Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with Ministry of Works should develop strategic plans to promote the sustainable transportation program. Cycling should be included in the school recreation and sports programmes. Bicycles should be used as prizes for contests. The government can also give bicycle loan or donations to workers, farmers, students, etc. Public officers and philanthropists could include bicycle gift in their empowerment programs. The increased number of bicycles will also raise the number of bicycle maintenance service providers and technicians, leading to more youths acquiring skills in this sector, consequently unemployment will also be reduced, thus bicycle will create jobs for the youths. The market vendors of bicycles and its parts will also multiply. The benefit of bicycle use is so huge that no serious society or government can ignore it. The members of the Media should lend their voices by hyping the use of bicycle and its numerous benefits.
A lot of money goes into local transportation these days. Using bicycle can be an option to enrich families and reduce transportation expenditure. The money saved here could be used to solve other pressing family issues.
The schools authorities and management should include cycling in their physical education programs for skill development, fitness of the child, scaling and acceleration of the culture. This effort can motivate children to show interest in cycling sports. This can create an employment and economic opportunities for them and their families in future. Who knows this little effort may lead us producing world celebrated cyclists in the likes of Eddy Merckx, Biniam Girmay, and Ese Ukpeseraye in more state. Cycling sports is also another money spinning sector of sporting activities and part of the global sports economy valued at $600 billion.
For the umpteenth time, lack of reserved path for bicycle users is a discouragement and key setback to the cycling culture, especially in the urban centers and cities in Nigeria. The government should prove its commitment in promoting the transportation system by given bicycle lane policy a priority, consequently making bicycle riding safer in the cities. The glory of use of bicycles in our society which earlier assumed a culture and pride of our people can also be regained; the misconception about bicycle users could be corrected through strategic advocacy and educating the citizens on the overall benefit of riding bicycle.
