Accra Mayor Darko Leads Bicycle Caravan

Posted: 01 Jul 2003

Related to: Promoting Cycling in Africa, Planning & Advocacy for Cycling & Walking, Ghana
Contributed by: Paul White, ITDP



On Saturday, June 7th, 2,000 cyclists converged on the streets of Accra, Ghana to participate in the city’s second bicycle caravan ­ an event designed to promote and celebrate cycling. The caravan, which opened 13 km of car-free streets to bicyclists, was sponsored by Promasidor Ltd., the manufacturer and distributor of Cowbell milk and other dairy products.

Based on the success of the event, Promasidor now plans to expand the caravans to other countries in Africa, beginning in Burkina Faso.

“It is my desire to see cycling carefully planned into our road network to make cycling safe in the City of Accra,” said Mayor Solomon Darko, speaking at the commencement of the caravan. “Almost every street in the Accra Metropolitan [Area] is loaded to capacity with cars. People are forced to sit in traffic for hours at a time on their way to and from work everyday. …[I]f we do not look at other alternative means of transportation, traffic will keep getting worse in Accra.”

Since taking office in 2000, Mayor Darko has consistently expressed support for strategies to reduce traffic congestion, including the promotion of bicycle use. The Mayor has asked ITDP to work closely with the City Planners and Engineers to develop a Bicycle Masterplan for Accra.

Photo: Mayor Darko celebrates cycling on ITDP’s new “California Bike”.