MP Naisula Lesuuda seeks to have dedicated lanes created for bicycles in new Bill
Samburu West Member of Parliament (MP) Naisula Lesuuda has sponsored a Bill seeking to have dedicated lanes created for bicycles.
The Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was introduced in parliament on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
The Bill seeks to amend the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill, 2023 to make provision for design and construction of lanes for non-motorized transport.
Requirement by KeNHA
It introduces a new requirement for the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), and Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) to design and construct dedicated lanes for non-motorized transport on designated roads under their control.
This includes sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and cycle lanes.
The Bill also seeks to empower empower police to enforce on non-motorized transport infrastructure use, such as dedicated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists & ensuring the safety of non-motorized transport users.
Cyclists to benefit
Should the Bill go through, cyclists, pedestrians, and other non-motorized transport users across the country are set to benefit from the design and construction of dedicated lanes.
In August 2023, cyclists called on the national government to recognise cycling as a national sport and allocate funds towards cycling activities.
They also sought support in making the roads safer.
They urged the government to create cycling lanes on major roads, noting that they are often harassed by motorists who think they are a nuisance on the roads.
In 2022, cycling enthusiasts proposed that a law be established to protect them from careless motorists and to enhance their safety on roads.
Celebrated cyclist Richard Machachi, at the time, urged authorities to build dedicated lanes for cyclists along major roads and towns.
“There are people who feel we don’t have equal rights to be on the road but we need to be accommodated just like motorists,” he said.
They also urged the Ministry of Sports to recognize cycling as a sporting activity and allocate funds to the sector.
Eve Mwenda from Peddle-Wise Cycling Club said there is a lot of untapped potential in cycling where young people can engage and be able to earn a living.
Accidents
Over a long period of time, there have been cases of accidents, most of them fatal, resulting from hit and run accidents involving cyclists and motor vehicles.
The most recent victim of such an accident is celebrated comedian Fred Omondi, Eric Omondi's brother who lost his life over the last weekend after being hit by a matatu while riding on a motorcycle.
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