Scores of residents in Bolgatanga, Upper East Regional capital, participated in Keekee Cycling Konnect’s maiden #RideBolga that took place Saturday, July 6, 2024.
#RideBolga has been described by the Convenor of the Keekee Cycling Konnect, James Kumbeni, as an action for climate change and the promotion of healthy living.
Speaking ahead of the ride, Mr. Kumbeni explained that more residents must be concerned about the impact of their actions on the environment and take the necessary steps to protect it.
This, he said, would include the use of green transportation alternatives like the bicycle.
“This is a climate action ride we are about to embark on. We want to use this ride to encourage everyone to adopt bicycles as a means of transport. This will cut down carbon emission and air pollution as it would reduce vehicular use. Climate change has really caught up with us and one of its major causes is transportation, of which motors or cars are mainly used in Bolgatanga. I am therefore encouraging you all to use bicycles as your means of transport, especially for short distances within the town. This will reduce air pollution in our country.”
Mr. Kumbeni also used the opportunity to appeal for the state to provide bicycle lanes to help make cyclists safer on the roads.
“I also want to use this opportunity to appeal and advocate for cycling lanes as this will enhance our safety as cyclists. Cyclists share the road with other road users, which is dangerous, especially when drivers are involved. Some road users don’t respect cyclists, especially car users. I therefore want to use this medium to reach out to the government and other policymakers to consider developing cycling lanes in the country as this will encourage more people to ride as well as make us safer on the road.”
Osei Kwarteng, an official of the National Road Safety Authority, called on cyclists to be conscious about road use and stay safe.
“The work that you are going to start this morning is in the form of exercise and entertainment, but let’s think about our safety first. In whatever we are doing, let’s think about our safety. First of all, we should know that our roads are not safe. So as we are cycling, we should make sure that we put safety first in whatever we are doing. Try to be safe as you are using the road.”
Many who joined the maiden edition of #RideBolga, along with others who followed the ride on social media have made strong calls for a repeat of the event.
Source: A1Radioonline.Com|101.1MHZ|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Bolgatanga|
