The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recommended Nigerians to explore utilising bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation to avoid the negative economic impact of rising fuel prices.
Fuel prices increased by more than 300% across the country last week, from 185 to over 500, after the federal government’s decision to discontinue fuel subsidy payments.
During his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu stated that devoting money to subsidies was no longer sustainable for the federal government due to its declining resources.
This development has given rise to concerns regarding the ripple effect of the policy on transportation fares, food prices, and the spending power of the Nigerian populace.
However, the Oyo State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Joshua Adekanye, has proposed that Nigerians should switch to using bicycles to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.
Speaking at the celebration of the 2023 World Bicycle Day in Ibadan on Saturday, June 3, 2023, Adekanye noted that it’s more advisable now for the general public to make use of bicycles for their daily commuting.
Explaining the benefits, the FRSC official said carbon emissions to the atmosphere by vehicles would also be drastically reduced when Nigerians rely more on bicycles to move around.
“Use of bicycle is economically cheap because the cost of a bicycle is not as expensive as using a car or motorcycle,” he said.
Stressing the health benefits, the sector commander noted that cycling will not only improve physical strength but also help to reduce body fat “and keep the heart healthy.”
In the same vein, A General Practitioner, Dr Tunji Akintade, has advised Nigerians to embrace cycling to improve personal health and well-being. He gave the advice in an interview with the Newsmen in Lagos during an event to commemorate the 2023 World Bicycle Day.
Dr, Akintade noted that promoting cycling in Nigeria was critical to reducing the high burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and to lower air and noise pollution.
According to him, embracing bicycles as a mode of transportation is currently crucial as many citizens are battling with the challenges brought about by increased fuel price and the high cost of transportation arising from fuel subsidy removal.
The physician said aside from the health benefits, cycling can also help to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, improve public health and foster a cleaner environment.
He also advised cyclists to prioritise their safety by adorning protective gear and to obeying traffic rules. He warned against cycling on highways to avoid accidents.
