Lagos government flags off bike sharing scheme

The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with a private organisation, Messrs Awabike, has launched a pilot phase for Lagos Bike Share Scheme, with 1,000 bikes, in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of reducing green gas emission in the state.

Director-General, Office of Public-Private Partnership, Mr. Ope George, who spoke yesterday, in Ikeja, said the scheme would reduce the emission of carbon monoxide being emitted by vehicles on the road if many people key into the initiative.

The bike-share scheme is a service in which bicycles are made available for shared use to individuals on a short-term basis for a token fee without incurring the costs and responsibilities associated with ownership.

George, represented by Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Corporate Communications and Stakeholders Engagement, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, said the concept originated from Europe in 1965 and had spread across the globe.

“This scheme allows people to rent bikes from point A to B. Today, more than 10,000 public bikes schemes of varying sizes and specifications run in more than 50 countries in the world. Examples of countries that run this dock-based system include London, Milan, Paris, Beijing, and Marrakech (Morocco).

“Users are expected to use the barcode via the application to unlock the bicycles and ride to their intended destinations. The bikes possess locks and cargo baskets and they come with gearing, finders, and lights that make urban biking safe and enjoyable,” he said.