NGOZI, March 11 (ABP) – Residents of the city of Ngozi, particularly pedestrians who move around in the evening, say they are concerned about bicycle taxis that continue to operate after nightfall, a situation they consider a factor that encourages accidents. They stated this on Monday to the Burundi Press Agency (ABP).
A resident of Ngozi who spoke with ABP explained that in the city of Ngozi, bicycle taxis often continue transporting passengers until around 8:00 or 8:30 p.m., even though they do not have lighting lamps. “When you are walking, you can suddenly see a bicycle cutting in front of you without having noticed it beforehand, if you are lucky enough not to be hit. That is very worrying,” he said. This situation comes even though the administrator of Ngozi commune, Dominique Ndikuryayo, recently issued a notice requiring city residents to install lighting lamps in front of their plots in order to illuminate the roads. However, this measure has not yet been fully implemented, even though it could help improve road safety. It should be recalled that a few weeks ago, bicycle transporters were not authorized to operate beyond 6:30 p.m.; otherwise, security agents would seize bicycles circulating after that time.
Commenting on this situation, some bicycle drivers indicated that they continue their activities in the evening in order to meet their needs. They add that this practice also helps residents move around in the current context where a fuel shortage is being observed.
However, some residents say they have no other choice but to use this cheaper means of transport. “It is due to a lack of alternatives. When a trip where a bicycle taxi charges 1,000 BIF, a motorcycle taxi can ask for up to 4,000 BIF, because during the night those motorcyclists increase the price,” testified one resident.
The citizens interviewed therefore propose that the authorities should not completely prohibit bicycle circulation in the evening, but rather require the installation of lighting lamps on bicycles in order to reduce the risk of accidents.