Fuel subsidy: FG backs use of bicycle on dedicated lane

Fuel subsidy: FG backs use of bicycle on dedicated lane

 

The Federal Government through its agencies is throwing its weight behind suggestion that Nigerians should cultivate the habit of using bicycle in some permissible areas as a cheaper means of transportation.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said that it would support the development of bicycle lanes in the provision of the road infrastructure in Abuja.

Similarly, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised Nigerians to use bicycle as means of transportation amid the hike in the pump price of petrol.

FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, gave the assurance in Abuja, while flagging-off the 2023 World Bicycle Day, with the theme: “Cycling – A Better Way To Enjoy the City.”

Adesola said the FCT Administration would pay attention to the development of bicycle lanes already designed in the Abuja master plan, as it will go a long way to sustain the campaign for climate change by reducing emissions. He said cycling is a very enjoyable sport and residents will be encouraged to imbibe the culture of using it as mode of transportation in the FCT.

He said, “Cycling can be very intensive as a competitive sport or even for pleasure that you ride to the right and to the left in a very pleasant manner. The benefit of cycling is enormous because it can improve heartbeat and strengthen the limbs, because of the walkout involved. It is a form of exercise that needs to be promoted.”

Adesola commended the Indian High Commission for its consistent support to Nigerians in organising the event to mark World Bicycle Day as enshrined in the United Nations (UN) declaration.

Meanwhile, Sector Commander of the FRSC in Bayelsa State, Mr Usman Ibrahim, spoke on the use of bicycle during the awareness ride to commemorate this year’s World Bicycle Day.

He said it is cheaper and healthy to human benefit.

Ibrahim, represented at the event by the FRSC Deputy Corps Commander in the state, Oiwoja Alagoa, said it was time to re-adopt the transportation system that assisted human civilisation for ages.

He noted that countries such as Denmark, China and Poland use bicycle mostly as the parts of the body are put to use during the ride and burn energy that would have been stored in the body.

Alagoa later led a team of cyclists comprising officers of the Corps, National Youths Service Corps members (NYSC) and professionals during the awareness ride.