Guraride in partnership with the City of Kigali unveiled its public shared bike scheme on September 9, in a move anticipated to reduce carbon emission, and Kigali’s over dependency on automobiles. The scheme, which will operate in two designated corridors is also expected to generate green employment opportunities, and improve health standards. It had been scheduled to be launched in July 2021, but was postponed. Claver Gatete, the Minister of Infrastructure, said that Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) mode plays a unique role in Rwanda’s transportation system. “NMT provides basic mobility, affordable transport for both people and goods, access to public transport by providing last mile connectivity, as well as significant benefits for public health and recreation” he said. “In the national transport policy recently approved by cabinet in April this year, the government aims at providing safe, high-quality, and universally accessible facilities for walking.” According to Gatete, this bike shared scheme will provide cheaper mobility for short distances, and is a zero pollution mode of transport. According to Pudence Rubingisa, the scheme came as a response to traffic jams in Kigali. “The City of Kigali reserves areas for pedestrians but also bicycles while constructing roads,” he said. Project Manager, Pamela Umuhoza, said the cost for using the bikes is still under discussion between the proprietor operators and Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) and will be announced soon. “We are working with different institutions such as the police and ministry of infrastructure to make sure that everyone who uses our bicycle uses cycling lanes. We are also working with different insurance institutions to come up with a visible plan adding to what we have in place” Umuhoza said, addressing concerns of potential accidents to their clients. “More than 300 people have downloaded our app, with a total of 80 bicycles, we will be able to satisfy our clients. However, we are also going to have electronic bikes in the next phase which will help people ride in the hilly areas of the country” she told The New Times. Guraride is also eyeing Musanze, Rubavu, and Huye districts in upcoming project phases as it sets plans to deliver a strategic nationwide coverage.
