People ride bicycles during a cycling event in Harare, Zimbabwe, June 1, 2024. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)
HARARE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Amid calls for the adoption of green mobility as the world faces the wrath of climate change, Zimbabweans are being challenged to take their feet off the gas and step on their bicycle pedals.
"The amount of gases we are churning out is damaging for the climate," said Kate Bridges, a cyclist. "If we can move more people onto two wheels powered by our legs, we got a much greener solution right there at our hands."
By opting for two-wheelers -- an affordable and environmentally friendly mode of transportation, people can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, she said.
Bridges and her family are among over 100 cyclists who took their feet off the gas pedal for a day to take part in a cycling event held in Zimbabwe's capital Harare on Saturday to mark World Bicycle Day, which falls on June 3 every year to raise people's awareness about this sustainable means of transportation.
Cycling enthusiasts of different ages took part in a ride across the northern suburbs of Harare to celebrate the benefits of cycling at an event organized by the city council.
Nompilo Ndlovu, a cyclist who also took part in the cycling event, said apart from the healthy benefits to individuals and the planet, cycling is fun.
"People don't actually think it's fun, but once your muscles get into it, it's actually fun. You wake up in the morning, and you've got fresh air running through your lungs. It's good for your cardio, it's good for your legs," said Ndlovu.
She noted that the limited supporting infrastructure for cycling in Zimbabwe can discourage cycling, adding that unaccommodating drivers on the roads also creates an intimidating environment for cyclists.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume noted the city's lack of supporting infrastructure for cycling, which he said hinders the adoption of a culture of cycling.
"We want to make sure that cycling is safe by having dedicated cycle tracks, by making sure that everyone gets on a bike, making it safer, cordoning certain sections of the streets from motorists but to cyclists, making sure that the new suburbs have cycling tracks in their plans before we approve," Mafume told Xinhua during the event.
With a population of about 2.5 million, Harare finds it difficult to cope with traffic, and authorities are actively seeking to reduce congestion through cycling.
Buffalo Bicycles, a company that locally assembles bicycles, is promoting cycling by providing bicycles that are built with heavy-gauge steel and reinforced spokes to make them suitable for the local environment.
"The bicycle that we sell and provide is very suitable for both rural and urban settings. It can carry a rider who is up to 100 kilograms and it can also carry a load on the carrier up to 100 kilograms," Farai Mutangadura, partnership manager for Buffalo Bicycles told Xinhua.
He said people from rural areas can reduce the cost of transporting their produce to markets since they can carry agricultural produce on their bicycles. ■
People ride bicycles during a cycling event in Harare, Zimbabwe, June 1, 2024. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)