Greetings!

It's very true that not everything is learned in school, even if you search every nook and cranny of a subject. Three days ago, I discovered that in every road plan in a city, there is supposed to be a lane for cyclists, just as there is a lane for pedestrians. This is baffling to me because I studied civil engineering in school, and we covered roads and everything concerning them extensively. However, we were never informed that a lane for cyclists should be included. Perhaps this is because such practice is not common in Nigeria, so it was omitted from our curriculum....I think so

Three days ago, while scrolling down X, one of the hot topics was the newly implemented lane for cyclists in the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria, my country. This is the first of its kind, as we have never seen such a thing where lanes for cyclists are being implemented.

While some people criticized the initiative, saying it is uncalled-for and will not solve the current problems in the country, a majority of people applauded the government for bringing up such an idea. They believe it will make life easier, especially regarding the transport system in the city.

I found out that the space used to create the lane for cyclists was taken from the main road and not like another space entirely (off the road) was produced for it. They adjusted some space meant for vehicles and added the one for cyclists. According to them, the lane for cyclists was part of the original road design, but because bicycles weren't much considered as a means of transportation, it was repurposed for vehicles.

What led to this development?

The world celebrated World Bicycle Day two weeks ago, and that highlighted the need to encourage cycling as a means of transportation to make life easier.

It's a very good idea, and among other benefits, it will surely encourage people to use bicycles as a means of transportation, especially now that transportation fares are very costly. Most people in my country don't use bicycles today because they don't see others using them. Once people see others getting used to bicycles because there are now safe roads for them, many will join in.

Before you know it, the always heavy traffic on roads will be greatly reduced.
In a highly populated city where people suffer from heavy traffic, making a way for bicycles will encourage many to use them, saving themselves from the stress of waiting for an hour in traffic before reaching their destination.

Also, parents don't often find it easy to send their children to school on bicycles due to fear of accidents on mixed roads. However, with spacious lanes for cyclists, it won't be alarming to use bicycles....yeah, the rate of accident is very less when it comes to bicycles in a separated lane.

There are many other benefits of cycling, but these, in the context of my country, will surely help matters and make it a better place to live as it regards to transportation.

Thanks for reading.

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