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The Zonal Commanding Officer of RS5 Benin Zone, Assistant Corps Marshal Cyril Matthew, has called on the public to embrace the use of bicycles, citing their affordability, health benefits, and environmental friendliness.
Matthew made the call on Wednesday in Awka during his quarterly visit to Anambra Command and the commemoration of the 2026 World Bicycle Day.
The United Nations instituted World Bicycle Day in 2018 to draw attention to the benefits of bicycles as a simple, affordable, reliable, clean, and sustainable means of transportation.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Cycling for a Greener Future”.
Matthew said bicycles were cheaper to acquire and maintain than motor vehicles, while also promoting physical fitness and reducing environmental pollution.
According to him, many developed countries have adopted bicycle transportation systems as part of efforts to improve public health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Advanced countries have adopted bicycle transportation systems as a matter of public health wellbeing and control of greenhouse effects arising from carbon emissions.
“The use of bicycles in Nigeria has remained low because many people are not fully aware of their benefits, while road infrastructure in most places does not provide safe lanes for cyclists.
“However, the FRSC has continued to advocate the inclusion of bicycle-friendly infrastructure in road development plans, and the government is gradually buying into the idea,” he said.
Matthew said the commemoration of World Bicycle Day was aimed at creating awareness of the economic, health, and environmental benefits of cycling.
He urged Nigerians to adopt bicycles more frequently, noting that they save transportation costs and do not emit harmful gases that pollute the environment.
Earlier, the Anambra Sector Commander of FRSC, Mrs Bridget Asekhauno, said the command had intensified public enlightenment campaigns in churches, mosques, markets, and motor parks to promote road safety consciousness.
Asekhauno said the corps was also strengthening collaboration with media, transport unions, stakeholders, and the Anambra State Government to enhance the safety of road users.
She, however, expressed concern over the continued use of old government number plates by some former public officials.
According to her, the command has engaged the Secretary to the State Government on the need to withdraw such number plates from unauthorized users.
The event featured an awareness ride by FRSC personnel and cyclists across parts of Awka to promote the use of bicycles for transportation and healthy living#
