Edward Puowele Karbo

Bicycle Traffic in Tamale

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THE SYNOPSIS

In recent years, the increase in population in our urban centres and the equally tremendous increase in automobile ownership and usage has created problems of traffic control, congestion and delays. The need to rid our urban areas of such problems had led to efforts in most countries to secure the most convenient arrangement of transportation facilities.

In the search for efficient transportation systems planners have ignored otber simple personal modes of travel such as the bicycle. Yet this simple mode holds a lot of potential for easing the urban transportation problem if well harnessed. It does not pollute, takes very little space, and provides a great deal of flexibility than other form of transport except walking.

Rising oil prices, oil scarcities, and the concern for the impact of oil production and automobile use on the environment suggest the need to improve the energy performance of transportation. One of such possibility is to encourage the use of bicycles rather than automobiles for short urban trips. It is in the light of this that the role of bicycles as a means of travel is examined in this study using Tamale, (where the use of the bicycle is popular) as a case study. The aim was therefore to determine the extent to which the use of the bicycle as obtains at present constitute a potential alternative in the transportation system in Tamale.

The analysis has established petty trading as one of the activities in the centra1 area which causes most of the traffic problems. The vehicular traffic analysis indicated that the composition is dominated by the bicycle, followed by the private car, and the taxi. This dominance of the bicycle in Tamale and the absence of special bicycle lanes has led the to most of the conflicts in the town centre, therefore suggesting the need to separate the various road users to reduce these conflicts and improve safety.

It has been suggested that traffic legislation in Ghana be reviewed and up-dated regularly. The provision of special bicycle lanes along the major roads has also been suggested as a possible solution to the problem. It is also recommended that pedestrians be separated from the motorvehicle.

It was concluded that in spite of the many social and privat benefits to cycling the mere construction of bicycle lanes may not be enough to divert large numbers of persons from their cars to bicycle. Its construction should be supported by the necessary education and legislation.