Group urges governments to prioritise walking, cycling as public transport

A Non-governments organisation, GreenLight Initiative, with support from Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety, has urged governments to take action to promote sustainable transport.

This includes investing in infrastructure, such as dedicated cycling and walking lanes, promoting the use of public transport through improved services and subsidies, and encouraging walking and cycling through education and awareness campaigns.

This is coming as the United Nations (UN) is celebrating its seventh Global Road Safety Week, which is scheduled for May 15-21, 2023. In a statement signed yesterday by its Executive Director, Simon Obi, the group said the road safety week is a biennial global road safety campaign celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of road safety and to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by road crashes.

Obi said this year’s theme is “Sustainable transport, and specifically the need for governments to facilitate a shift to walking, cycling, and using public transport”. He said road crashes, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), were leading causes of death among young people aged between five and 29 years.

According to him, in addition to the tragic loss of life, traffic collision results in significant economic losses, costing countries billions of dollars every year.

He, however, said that by adopting sustainable transport solutions, such as walking and cycling as public transport, we could reduce the number of crashes and promote a more sustainable future.

Obi said that walking and cycling would not only promote physical activity and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, but also reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, leading to improved public health and a cleaner environment. He, therefore, advised that investing in public transport could improve access to essential services and promote economic growth.

“By doing so, we can improve road safety, protect our environment, and create a more sustainable future for all,” he said.