Lack of road space could derail plans for cyclist lanes in Rwanda

A cyclist in Nyabugogo struggles for riding space. There were plans to have special lanes for non-motorised modes of transport in Kigali. PHOTO | CYRIL NDEGEYA 

By Johnson Kanamugire

In Summary

• City authorities say challenging topography and financial difficulties have delayed plans to construct the new road designs during the ongoing expansion of key road corridors.
• Rwanda plans to be a green, climate-resilient economy in the next 15 years, making low carbon transport as well as sustainable urban mobility mandatory.
• The booming bicycle taxi business has so far attracted over 4,000 operators in Kigali alone, but most struggle to compete for space on roads that were built without factoring non-motorised transport.

Kigali City is encountering problems in securing land to accommodate the long promised facilities for non-motorised transport on city roads.

City authorities say challenging topography and financial difficulties have delayed plans to construct the new road designs during the ongoing expansion of key road corridors.

Officials say the cost of accommodating alternative transport modes like bicycles on existing roads is proving to be too high.

This comes as the city carries out expansion activities on some of its major arterial roads to cope with increasing traffic. City planners said adding cycling lanes is challenging because getting space would be costly and the city cannot afford the cost.

Reuben Ahimbisibwe, the director for Infrastructure at Kigali City said priority is being given to having enough space for vehicles and pedestrian walkways, while other non-motorised transport facilities only get added where space allows and the availability of funds.

“Considering the high cost of expropriation, it doesn’t make sense to have all the facilities included on the road and then later experience funding shortfalls. The best option is to work on key components and then add these extras gradually,” he said, adding that the city plans to conduct a study showing where all non-motorised transport networks are needed the most.

“We shall then make sure that whenever we expropriate the space for non-motorised transport, it is captured in the cost although development would go by demand and budget availability,” said Mr Ahimbisibwe.

Rwanda plans to be a green, climate-resilient economy in the next 15 years, making low carbon transport as well as sustainable urban mobility mandatory.

READ: Kigali requires $770m to become smart city

The 2012 public transport policy and strategy highlights the need for transport systems that first protect and serve pedestrians and cater to the needs of those who use public transport and non-motorised transport before any other group.

The government recently introduced mandatory vehicle testing to regulate green house has emissions for which vehicles have been ranked among the top contributors.

Rwanda has seen a tremendous increase in the number of private vehicles in the past few years, which has been fuelled by changing lifestyles and inefficient public transport, among other factors.

However, the growth hasn’t been the same for non-motorised transport modes. It is only last year that bicycles returned to the streets, years after they were banned on city and national roads.

Public service

The booming bicycle taxi business has so far attracted over 4,000 operators in Kigali alone, but most struggle to compete for space on roads that were built without factoring non-motorised transport.

Even as the city expands some of its road infrastructure — namely city roundabout-Muhima-Gatsata and Rwandex, Goodyear to Prince House — authorities say emphasis is on providing adequate space for users of public transport buses.

The roads pass through built-up areas, which means millions of francs spent on buying off businesses and properties.

Expropriation of some storied buildings on Muhima road were claimed to cost between Rwf700 million and Rwf800 million each and city officials said the sum could be much higher if cycling space was included.

The entire road expansion project covering 54 kilometres is expected to cost about Rwf62.5 billion and expropriation alone will cost Rwf4 billion.

“We shall develop other internationally-acceptable, affordable and sustainable modes of transport like promoting effective public transport that cater to private car owners, users of motorcycles and bicycle taxis,” said Mr Ahimbisibwe.