K. Broersma

"What Role could the Bicycle Play in developing Countries ?"

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Some introductory observations

CENTER FOR APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY
Stevinweg 1 (Kab. 6.33)
P.O. Box 5048
2600 GA DELFT
THE NETHERLANDS

K. Broersma
Dutch Technical Ajd Agency
& Min. of Works, Kenya.
P.O.Box 25149, Nairobi

Excerpt from: Bicycle Reference Manual for Developing Countries. Edited by Barbara Gruehl Kipke, April 1991.

(The views expressed in this paper are personal, and not to to be blamed on either of the above mentioned organisations.)

INTRODUCTION

This paper seeks to investigate what role the bicycle ( or eventually the light - 50 cc - moped ) could play as a means of adequate and relativaly low-cost transport for tho masses in Kenya ( "wananchi" ) or comparable developing countries.

In the "family" of existing means-of-transportation the bicycle is usually considered next-best to the walk-mode, in the sense that it approximately trebles the radius of action of a person - per unit of time - and therefor his or her accessability to job opportunities, schools, markets and all kinds of community services. The bicycle is generally inferior to most types of motorized vehicles, but relatively cheap and it could thus prove to be a logical, "natural" step in the development of transportation for the poor masses.

The World Bank1 has suggested that many of the poor cannot afford any form of motorised transport on a regular basis. This paper does not pretend to cover completely the bicycle-subject in developing countries. lt should be considered as an invitation for comments, suggestions and - if it must be - criticism.

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Constraints
Political constraints
Financial constraints
Operational and resource constraints
Interim conclusions
The regional activity system
Recommendation
References