The Ghana Bamboo Bike Initiative, a local NGO, has joined the world to observe Cycling Day in creating awareness on the importance of using Bamboo Bike for socio-economic growth and physical well-being of the users.
World Bicycle Day recognises and celebrates the powerful role that bicycle plays in our lives and have, therefore, partnered with leaders like Leszek Sibilski and other organisations worldwide, including the Bamboo Bike Initiative in Ghana, to help amplify the message.
The United Nations General Assembly by a Resolution declared June 3 as “World Bicycle Day” to lay emphasis on the benefits of cycling.
Ms. Bernice Dapaah, Executive Director of Bamboo Bikes Initiative, expressed her excitement about other like-minded leaders who are interested in promoting cycling in Ghana.
According to her, Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative, in collaboration with the Environment Bamboo Limited, together with its partners, including the Ministry of Transport, Road and Highways, Genetic Limited and Giant Group seeks to create a safer and smart system of cycling, on which our economy and social life mostly depends.
She stated that the bicycle is one of the most important inventions in the history of the planet and provides hundreds of millions of people a means of transport, powered by nothing, other than their body in moderate exercise.
She is of the view that, it is practical, reliable and helps one to stay fit and offers a fun and hassle-free way to get around and take care of daily tasks. She hoped that the Day would serve as a reminder and an attempt to create a sustainable and strategic transport policy that elevates cycling to a higher pedestal.
She expressed the organisation’s profound gratitude and joy to be part of the history of creating a country where cycling is an important element of our culture and lifestyle.
Ms. Dapaah underscored that Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative, together with its partners, is poised to deploy the first ever bike share service to university communities and expressed the hope that the project, “bikeshare’, will significantly reduce the burden and stress most students go through in their daily travelling activities on campus.
She promised to continue to work with the Ministry of Transport, as well as Road and Highways, to create a safer and smart system of cycling on which our economy and social life depends.
She also commended Mr. An Le, Giant Group Global Marketing Director, representing the world’s Number One bicycle manufacturer and strongly believes that the bicycle is a vehicle for positive change for the environment, communities and personal health and well-being.
Madam Mabel Sagoe, Acting Director at the Ministry of Transport, described the event as a special day, as countries around the world unite to advocate and create awareness about the importance of cycling.
She was of the view that, apart from the health and environmental benefits, it is also one of the affordable and sustainable means of transport and, therefore, not out of place for a Day to be dedicated to celebrate such a noble invention.
She said cycling is an environmentally sound, safe and healthy way to travel, hence the more we embrace it the more we protect ourselves against the damaging impact of climate change.
She stressed that, the use of bicycles can contribute greatly to cleaner air and congestion-free cities whilst providing at the same time a reliable means of transport.
But unfortunately, there is generally low level of acknowledgement and awareness on the many benefits of walking and cycling in many developing countries, and Ghana is no exception.
The acting Chief Director disclosed that, Economic development and rising income levels have been accompanied by rapid motorisation in our cities and the resultant effect is the marginalisation of Non-Motorised Transport, limited green spaces and rising pedestrian fatalities from road traffic crashes among others.
She stated that, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognises that safe infrastructure for walking and cycling is a right step towards achieving greater health equity. The provision of safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport system and, therefore, offers a remarkable step towards the realisation of the Sustainability Development Agenda with particular reference to SDG Goal 11 sustainable cities and communities.
She noted that, the Ministry was honoured to partner with Bamboo Bike Initiative to commemorate the special day, as Bamboo Bike Initiative is also collaborating with some tertiary Universities to introduce a Bike Share programme for students.
She urged all stakeholders to, as much as possible, in their various capacities to promote cycling from the perspective of public health, road safety culture and the desired reductions in motorised journeys, which is affordable and environment-friendly means of transportation.
She reiterated that, a culture of cycling would be beneficial to our physical and mental wellbeing and the environment.
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