The Lagos State Government has announced that essential infrastructure would be built to ensure the smooth implementation of the Non-Motorised Transport Plan (NMT).
Speaking during the State’s first “Car Free Day,” Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos stated that bicycle parking has been incorporated in the building of some of the terminals to encourage citizens to adopt NMT, adding that his government is making enormous efforts to make transportation in the State more effective, efficient, and sustainable via many infrastructural, regulatory, and institutional changes to stem the looting.
The Governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, stated that the Car Free Day was an opportunity for a city like Lagos to assess the condition of its road network and develop an innovative method for making Non-Motorised transportation equitable, efficient, and sustainable in the State.
He stated that the celebration of Car-Free Day in the state will bring about the necessary adjustment in culture for the development of Lagos.
The Governor emphasised that the infrastructure to support Non-Motorised Transport would be implemented to provide smooth mobility for commuters, emphasising the significance of the decision as transportation is the largest contributor to carbon emissions that adversely impact the environment.
Sanwo-Olu also reaffirmed that bicycle lanes would be established to stimulate the use of bicycles, which will benefit the public by providing pollution-free surroundings, road safety, and enhanced health for every age group.
He said that the Ministry of Transportation is collaborating with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to pilot and maintain the Non-Motorised Transport Policy.
The representative of the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Osa Konyeha, disclosed that the Agency has completed the first phase of implementation of the Lagos Sidewalk Pilot Project on Catholic Mission Street/Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), which has improved pedestrian access to St. Nicholas Hospital, Kings College, Lagos High Court, Federal Court of Appeal, and Tafawa Balewa Square, which is home to multi-story office/shopping complexes.
He said that the Design Review Sub-Committee had performed site inspections and generated a preliminary design, which would be addressed at length at the next quarterly meeting with all relevant stakeholders.
Koyeha further said that LAMATA is dedicated to developing a network of walking and cycling paths in order to create a transport system that enhances the quality of life of the people and the economic competitiveness of Lagos.
Yinka Jones, who represented the Lagos Urban Development Initiative (LUDI), said that the amount of pollution in Lagos is growing as a result of motorised activity.
In order to reduce pollution in the state, he urged all major stakeholders to adopt Non-Motorized Transportation.
Temitope George, representing Cycology, one of the NGOs that collaborated with the State Government to organise the event, stated that the purpose of “Car Free Day” is to bring to the attention of residents that there are alternative modes of transportation, namely Non-Motorised means of commuting, and that her NGO had previously spearheaded the “share the road” campaign in conjunction with LAMATA.
She explained that the purpose of the “Share the road” campaign is to educate motorised road users that the road infrastructure belongs to everyone, and she urged the state to continue its inclusive infrastructure to ensure that cyclists, bikers, skaters, and other Non-Motorized road users coexist safely.
Dennis Kange of the African Cycling Federation (ACF) said that the prevalence of air pollution and road accidents in the state is cause for worry, emphasising the need to raise greater awareness about the social and environmental advantages of Non-Motorized Transport mode.