Cycling, the better mode of transport

"Urban population in developing nations is projected to continue to grow, adding 2.5 billion people to the world’s cities by 2050, with nearly 90 per cent of the increase concentrated in Asia and Africa. By then, more than half of the world’s population will live in cities.

A key step to managing rapid urbanization, reducing poverty and addressing equity and environmental issues amongst urban residents is to meet their needs for access to services and opportunities. Walking and cycling are more than low-carbon modes of transport that enhance urban quality and facilitate social cohesion. They are cheap, flexible, personal modes without which most people in low- and middle-income countries would be unable to participate in the economy and community, or access education, healthcare and other urban services.

According to UN Environment’s Global Report on walking and cycling published in 2016, up to 60 per cent of city trips are made by bike in Chinese cities while in African cities the share is closer to 5 per cent. Furthermore, in Malawi, a developing country in Eastern Africa, 80 to 90 per cent of people moving on rural roads are cyclists. Netherlands Travel Survey reported that 2016 saw a total of 4.5 billion bicycle trips, spanning a distance of 15.5 billion kilometres."