Inner City Transportation

Inner City Transportation

Conveying people from one place to another has really changed over the year.

25 years ago, there was nothing like Uber, Lyft, Yango or Blackride. Fast forward 2019, electric scooter have found their way onto the street of California, electrics cars were the main point of attraction at the Los Angeles auto show, Porche and Daimler are making plans of launching volocopter i.e. flying cars and “okada” is a major means to escape the adorable traffic in Lagos and Accra.

The transportation needs of the people changes from time to time with the jurisdiction a major factor.

In recent times, the 3 wheel motorcycle has become very popular in the major cities and towns in Ghana. They can accommodate 3 to 4 people depending on the size and weight of the people and the permissible weight it can carry.

For the past weeks, I have been to towns in the western region of Ghana, where I have seen the efficient use of these 3 wheel motorcycles. The towns namely Axim and Esiama. I know these are not the only places or towns where they are popular in the country but as I said, I was hugely impressed in how they were used.

In major cities across the vehicular traffic is on the increase and there is congestion everywhere. Taxis and minibuses apart from congesting the inner cities and towns also produce a lot of exhaust fumes which pollute the atmosphere. A phenomenon city authorities across the world are dealing with.

These 3 wheel motorcycles can be designated to operate in the inner cities, towns and communities which are under-served transportation wise and regulated, which is a key element. The above means of transportation, it will reduce congestion and air pollution. The taxis and minibuses can be assigned to operate outside the inner cities to tackle the underlined issues. The 3 wheel motorcycles can be permitted to run within 3 to 5 km radius of various towns and municipalities.

In as much as these motorcycles go a long way to help in addressing the underlined issues, there are various concerns which needs to be addressed.

Safety is a key issue whether it is a car, motorcycle or a bicycle.

Riders are supposed to wear a helmet and likewise provide one for each passenger but it’s rather the opposite we see around. Sometimes, it is only the rider who is wearing the helmet or none of them is wearing it.

Also, the behavior of some of the drivers leave several pedestrians and other road users irritated. As they know that their device can navigate through the tightest places, they intend not to respect road traffic regulations and use illegal turns. This is a menace. If they are to be accepted, a training or workshop should be organized for them on road traffic regulations and how to conduct themselves with the kind of vehicle they use.

You will also find them often broken down on our roads which pose a great danger to other road users. Maintenance is key if they are to continue operating in our towns and cities.

As they are here to stay, the necessary framework should be put in place before their operations become a major topic for discussion for the wrong reason.

About the Author

Edmond Nana Cabir Flynt is a vehicle sales advisor and consultant based in Takoradi - Ghana. He is also a volunteer, an entrepreneur, and an auto show radio presenter.

For further enquiry, consultation, advertisement, product promotion (vehicle related), vehicle and accessory sale, contact him on the following numbers +233(0)209461930 /+233(0)548383591 and email nanaflynt@gmail.com

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