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.www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/frsc-inaugurates-bicycle-riding-means-transportation/