Govt urged to develop policy on cycling
âą A section of riders at the event
The government has been urged by three diploÂmats to develop policies to promote and influence the citizenryâs choice of cycling as a sustainable form of transport and mobility.
The three diplomats were the Ambassadors of the European Union (EU) to Ghana, Mr Ichard Razaaly, France, Mr Jules Armand Aniambossou and the Netherlands to Ghana, Mr Jeroen Verheul.
According to them, the poliÂcies must be developed based on five criteria, namely, convenience, environment, health, safety and security, and status.
They noted that the criteria was important because cycling improves the well-being of indiÂviduals, promotes environmental sustainability as it did not require the use of fossil fuel, was more convenient, and did not determine oneâs status in society.
The diplomats also said these at the end of a cycling event held over the weekend, which was aimed at promoting cycling as a form of transportation and means to exercise.
Dubbed; âRide with Team Europe-cycling and sustainabilÂity event, âit was a collaboration between the European Union (EU) delegation in Ghana, the Embassies of the Netherlands and France in Ghana.
Over 100 cyclists, including the diplomats participated.
The cyclists started at 6 am from the Black Star Square, through some principal streets of Accra; made a stop at the Dutch Embassy before ending at the Alliance Française dâAccra.
Mr Verheul stressed that among the five criteria, the safety and security of cyclists remained a challenge that needed to be adÂdressed by the government when developing the policies that proÂmoted and influenced the citizensâ choice of cycling as a sustainable form of transport and mobility.
âI think safety and security of cyclists is the biggest problem in Accra and around Ghana because it is not safe to cycle. What I heard from you with your experience coming here is that it was dangerÂous despite the fact that you were riding with police protectionâ, Mr Verheul explained.
He further entreated the citiÂzenry to change their perception about cyclists or individual who ride bicycles as they were perÂceived to belong to the lower class in society.
Moreover, Mr Aniambossou said France was committed to financing initiatives and proÂgrammes that ensured sustainabiliÂty in Africa, including Ghana, such as the cycling marathon.
For his part, Mr Razaaly underscored the need for city developers to consider a human centred approach when designing the cities to make them cycling friendly, which required a lot of engagement.
Additionally, he noted that designing cities to make them cycling friendly would improve the stamina of cyclists and offer them the opportunity to tell their stories to others.
 BY BENJAMIN ARCÂTON-TETTEY
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