The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised Nigerians to consider using bicycles as alternative means of transportation to shield themselves from the negative economic effect of the jump in fuel prices.
Fuel prices experienced an over 300% jump from ₦185 to over ₦500 across the country last week following the decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pull the plug on fuel subsidy payments.
The President made it known while giving his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, that devoting money to subsidy was no longer sustainable for the federal government due to its dwindling resources.
This development has given rise to concerns regarding the ripple effect of the policy on transportation fares, food prices, and the spending power of the Nigerian populace.
However, the Oyo State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Joshua Adekanye, has proposed that Nigerians should switch to using bicycles to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.
Speaking at the celebration of the 2023 World Bicycle Day in Ibadan on Saturday, June 3, 2023, Adekanye noted that it’s more advisable now for the general public to make use of bicycles for their daily commuting.
Explaining the benefits, the FRSC official said carbon emissions to the atmosphere by vehicles would also be drastically reduced when Nigerians rely more on bicycles to move around.
“Use of bicycle is economically cheap because the cost of a bicycle is not as expensive as using a car or motorcycle,” he said.
”The benefits of cycling are enormous. It can improve heart health and strengthen the limbs,” he said.
