Barbara Gruehl Kipke

Bicycle Usage in Two Cities of Africa

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INTRODUCTION - Statement of the Problem

The situation in the Third World is characterised by a rapidly growing population and increasing levels of urbanization. These developments are not only a result of natural increases, but also of an exodus of the rural population to the cities. In Africa, the percentage of the population living in cities is still low at 15S (22, p.45), yet urbanisation is progressing at an above-average rate. Unemployment and underemployment cause poverty among city dwellers, to the extent of conditions beneath human dignity. The cost of transportation represents a significant proportion of the expenditures of impovrished city inhabitants.

Transportation problems in cities of the Third World develop as the city quickly expands in size. The poor often live on the outskirts of the city and have to overcome large distances to their workplace. Public transportation, if it exists at all, can not keep up with the dynamic developments. Neither is it affordable to the majority for regular use. Walking is therefor the most common transport mode.

It is important to realize that there are significant differences between the transportation situation of industrialized countries versus that of developing countries:

• Automobile ownership is high in industrialized countries whereas only a very small elite in developing countries has access to private motor vehicles.
• Low income levels in developing countries preclude the purchase of automobiles for the vast majority in the future.
• Many people in developing countries don't have any alternative at present, but to walk to their destinations. State-owned and para-transit public transport only ply the major corridors where demand is highest.
• The road network in developing countries is already overloaded at low levels of motorization due to a lower density of roads than in industrialized countries.
• Factors such as driving behaviour, climatic conditions and such cultural factors as the role of women in society affect transportation needs in a different way than in industrialized countries.

Unfortunately transportation planning concepts from industrialized countries based on the dominant role of the automobile are being applied without consideration of the different conditions in developing countries. On the other hand, the lower income groups, who use the bicycle as a means of transport, are usually overlooked in transportation planning studies of Third World countries.

Nevertheless, the bicycle represents an intermediate technology solution. Requirements for a fast, always available, multi-purpose, house-to-house transport also of goods, utilizing few resources, are fulfilled by the bicycle. Furthermore, this non-motorized mode of transportation is far more affordable than an automobile and therefore represents an important alternative to walking. Increases in present mobility, the extension of the realm of activities as well as time savings are further possible benefits.

New possiblitites for development arise due to the new areas that become accessible to workers and from the reduction of time spent on travel, that could have been used for productive purposes. The formation of a bicycle industry could create new employment opportunities. In countries that are highly indebted, as is often the case in developing countries, a reduction in foreign exchange expenditures for automobiles could decrease dependancy from abroad. The capital requirements for both purchase and maintenance of the bicycle are relatively low and therefore do not burden the trade balance of developing countries as does the automobile. Increasing mobility by increasing bicycle usage would not cause any additional costs for energy, nor would it result in environmental problems. Furthermore, the capacity of roads would be better utilized, reducing street construction costs considerably.