| Of all road traffic casualties occurring on the road,twenty-seven per cent,occur among pedestrians and cyclists.This figure is closer to a third of all road fatalities,in the low-and middle-income countries,regardless in some countries,this figure rises to more than seventy-five per cent.Although the world continues to move in the direction of motorization,non-motorised modes of transport such as walking and cycling need to be considered in a safe environment and popularized as a healthy and inexpensive mobility options.On the other hand,on 68 countries have national or regional policies to encourage and promote walking and cycling,and just under 79 countries have put in place policies that aim to protect pedestrians and cyclists by distinguishing them from motorised and high-speed traffic.A sustainable transport system ought to provide both mobility and accessibility to all inhabitants of a particular area,county,town,city or country as a whole.By doing so,it should ensure it is done in a safe and user-friendly environment.This is,in practice,an arduous task,especially when the needs and demands of people vary depending on different income groups.For example,if a large portion of the country’s population is within the middle and lower-class,they would opt for ’pocket friendly’ modes of transportation such as public transportation or walk to their destination.As opposed to the use of private vehicles.The provision of safe infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians may require the segregation of public space for bike lanes and walkways etc.,to facilitate the movement of non-motorised forms of transportation.Adopting to a sustainable integrated transport approach requires strong policies,building institutional capacity,initiating financing and prioritizing user-friendly infrastructure.Sustainable transportation is vital in the long run for a sustainable transport system.It can better the economic growth and improve accessibility.Additionally,sustainable transport achieves better integration of the economy while respecting the environment.Despite the fact that various governments are increasingly acknowledging the need to promote alternate forms of mobility,more weight should be pressed upon the making of these modes of transportation safe for all.For a successful bit at the reduction of the total number of road traffic casualties,on a global scale,addressing the safety of pedestrians,cyclists and motorcyclists is a critical step.The criteria for selecting UN Avenue as a study case included the availability of urban space,and most importantly the high rate of accidents and road insecurity for pedestrians and cyclists along the avenue.The concern for road safety was a major force behind this study.The comprehensive and consistent inclusion of NMT in urban planning processes is reliant on the existence of a regulatory and institutional environment that embraces NMT.Policies that advocate for the inclusion of moderate to high density urban property development with transit-oriented development approaches and strategies such as employment,mix residential and shopping facilities,can give confidence to pedestrians and cyclists,thus giving rise to mutual benefits of reducing car dependency and preventing urban sprawl.This paper recognizes the development made in the establishment of sustainable non-motorised modes in urban planning.Notwithstanding,there are numerous attempts directed at adopting and including non-motorised modes in policy and planning.The process,however,is riddled with procedural challenges which impede implementation.The "Share the Road Non-Motorised Transport" pilot project,the first of its own,in East Africa,is an inclination of a good example of a new way of developing sustainable urban road infrastructure in Kenya.Its assessment has provided invaluable lessons for future projects involving proposals in road safety,accessibility and the environment.Over and above,the lessons learnt regarding methodology with be invaluable for future evaluations.For proper NMT integration into the urban transport system,the government and stakeholders should recognise the significance of this means of transport.That NMT is a sub-system of the urban transportation system and has a role to play.Secondly,the development and maintenance of NMT infrastructure to be supported by the local authorities,in the urban areas the local authority should have the mandate to provide and maintain adequate sidewalks and pavements for pedestrians,footpaths and other facilities for NMT users,including ramps for the disabled.Thirdly,advancement of human resource development in the provision of NMT infrastructure through trainings and lastly,consolidate all existing and future road transport infrastructure financing into a single co-ordinating institution.As far as possible,road infrastructure maintenance should be funded through user charges as the fuel levy and investment by the private sector.Regardless,there are apparent signs of improvement,if the emerging trends to non-motorised modes used by a combination of groups,are anything to go by,for adequate and effective transport planning requires a vigorous assessment and understanding of the full range of groups that use streets and roads.UNEP will continue working on a triple approach to move towards a sustainable transportation by promoting better pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure,cleaner vehicles and more efficient public transport.Only by moving together on an integrated approach,will the environmental,accessibility and safety conditions improve for the majority of the people on the road. |
