Lagos State Government has launched a pilot phase of its Lagos Bike Share Scheme with 1,000 bikes, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of reducing green gas emissions globally, as part of its efforts to make the state more environment-friendly for lives and fauna.
Speaking at the event held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa-Ikeja, the Director General, Office of Public-Private Partnerships, Mr. Ope George, explained that the scheme launched in collaboration with a private company, Messrs Awabike, was initiated to reduce carbon-monoxide emissions by vehicles on the road.
He stressed that this laudable goal would be achieved if many people key into the initiative.
George further expatiated that the bike-share scheme remained 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.
Represented by Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Corporate Communications and Stakeholders Engagement, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, at the occasion, the Director General said: “The partnership between Messrs. Awabike and the Lagos State Government on a bicycle (bike) share scheme is in line with the Lagos State Smart City initiative and addresses several United Nations sustainable development goals whilst fulfilling the Traffic and Transportation management aspect of the Lagos State Government’s THEMES agenda.
“We in the Office of Public-Private Partnerships believe that this project is a laudable one that will promote environmental stability while enhancing economic opportunities for the benefit of the state.
The concept originated from Europe in 1965 and has spread immensely across the globe. This scheme allows people to rent bikes from point A to return at point 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).
“The proposed bike- share d scheme will run a service system where users are expected to download the Awa Store application and follow instructions to sign up. Users are expected to use the barcode via the application to unlock the bicycles and ride to their intended destination”, George added.
The Director General further said that the bikes possessed locks and cargo baskets and that they came with gearing, finders, and lights that make urban biking safe and enjoyable.
