Abuja – The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Monday in Abuja inaugurated riding of bicycles as means of transportation to reduce traffic on roads.
The Corps Marshal of FRSC, Mr Osita Chidoka, said the inauguration was part of Africa Road Safety Day 2013 and World Day of Remembring Road Traffic Crash Victims.
Chidoka added that it was to raise awareness on the need for people to make the best use of bicycles.
Chidoka, who was represented by Danjuma Garba, Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of Motor Vehicle Administration, said the campaign was to show that “riding of bicycles is a healthy physical exercise.
“Physically, people live longer when they use bicycles and the campaign is aimed at getting every road user in this country to embrace the use of bicycles.
“This is necessary so that we have safer roads. In terms of environment, riding bicycles would also reduce pollution and traffic congestion’’, he added.
He appealed to Government to provide road infrastructure tailored toward accommodating the rights of bicycle riders on high ways.
The corps marshal also urged bicycle riders to ride safely using their helmets and be in the right frame of mind.
The Chairman, Governing Board of FRSC, Mr Felix Chukwu, said the inauguration was symbolic because it drew people’s attention to the wisdom in riding bicycles.
Chukwu, who explained that the event was also to remember victims of road accident, called for conscious effort to encourage the use of bicycles in the country.
“When you ride bicycle, you are exercising yourself and this habit of going from one little point to another in a car should be discouraged.
“With the bicycle, anybody can get to anywhere he wants easily, you are reducing pollution and also helping yourself”, he said.
The chairman expressed the commitment of FRSC to ensuring that the roads were safe and accidents reduced to the barest minimum.
The day, declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2004, is aimed at remembering victims of road crashes.
It is also to create public awareness on the plight of the families of the victims of road accidents and the need for the safety of road users.(NAN)