Economic challenge: Kano residents abandon cars, embrace bicycles, electric bikes for mobility

Following the recent hike in the price of the Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, a report has it that some residents of Kano have abandoned their cars to embrace trekking and the use of bicycles, electric bikes and commercial tricycles for mobility in the state.

According to reports, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)correspondent, while observing the situation on Sunday, said there were fewer cars on the road and more than usual pedestrians, bicycle riders and electric bike users.

One of the pedestrians, Sani Isa, told NAN that the cost of mobility had increased significantly as tricycle operators doubled their fares to reflect the new pump price, adding that the situation had affected him adversely because he now spends at least N1,200 daily on transportation.

Isa said he resorted to using a bicycle because it was cheaper and more affordable.

A student, Aminu Ishaq, who rides a bicycle to Kano Polytechnic daily, says that it is a significant relief to his ageing parents, who can afford the high transport cost.

“I don’t waste time waiting for a tricycle. I am always in school on time. I am full of energy,” Ishaq said.

A civil servant, Muhammad Sadiq, said he had now adjusted to breaking his journey to the office by trekking halfway to the Federal Secretariat before boarding a commercial tricycle.

“What I do now is to break my movement, trek to a point, then take Keke from there. I will save at least N300.

“Since the increase in pump price, many riders packed their tricycle and went into other businesses,” he said.

Another resident, Ali Abdullahi, also said since the increase, he had abandoned his vehicle for an electric bike, saying that it saves cost.

“I have two cars. I sold one and bought an electric motorcycle for N900, 000 which is easier to maintain,” he explained.

NAN