owolabi adekunle

Cycling as the core of non-motorized transportation mode is an important consideration in achieving sustainable transport development. Shifting attention from automobile transportation mode must evolve policies driven by the principles of cities for pedestrians and cyclists. This study explored ecofriendly streetscape to incorporate cycling as non-motorized transportation alternative in metropolitan Lagos. The paper is underpinned by the Community Cycling Accessibility Initiative conceptual framework. The research methodology adopted a baseline study of selected streets from selected local government areas. Four streets representing the three broad hierarchies of city roads (highway, arterial, collector and local streets) were selected. Inventory of street spaces was conducted to record existing resources. Emphasis was laid on width of right of way, paved surface, kerb, street trees, outdoor communication media and street furniture. The study identified irregular property fence lines; silted open drainage system; non-separation of different transportation modes; uncoordinated street furniture; street trading; and street parking as negative impacts on the right of way. Two categories of bicycle roads namely on road bicycle track and on road bicycle and pedestrian track separated from vehicular lane were introduced to revitalize selected metropolitan streets as urban design case study. These two categories should be influenced by internationally acclaimed and tested (4Es) bicycle planning philosophy namely engineering, education, enforcement and encouragement. The paper recommends that the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) should provide adequate bicycle policies as practical guide to sustainable non-motorized transportation mode in the metropolis.