Citation

Tefe MK, de Langen M. World Transp. Policy Pract. 2008; 13(4): 18-29.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Eco-Logica)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

This article reports on a World Bank-financed urban transportation project conducted between 1998 and 2000 in which a number of bicycle tracks were constructed in Accra, Ghana. The bicycle track project was designed to enhance cycling as a low-cost and non-polluting mode of urban travel. The project was initiated in the context of a small, but relevant, cycling culture in the city, mainly introduced by migrants from the north of the country. The authors note that, unfortunately, only around 20% of the bicycle infrastructure initially envisaged was constructed, reflecting a lower interest in urban cycling at the implementation stage than during the earlier project planning and appraisal. They report on an evaluation of the project that was carried out in 2004, and updated in November 2007. Their conclusion is that the few bicycle paths provided were unable to trigger an increase in urban cycling. In fact. the project produced a negative effect on urban cycling due to the appearance that urban cycling in Accra cannot be enhanced successfully. Bicycling in Accra continues to be characterized by lack of road space and high risk of accidents. The authors contend that the real reason for the lack of success of this bicycle track project was the marginal size and poor quality plan of the initiative. They call for a much more substantial effort and one which is well integrated into the city's overall transport policy in order to find out whether cycling can make a useful long-term contribution to sustainable urban travel in Accra.