The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Oyo State Command, has called on Nigerians to embrace the use of bicycles to reduce fuel consumption by vehicles.

“If we all embrace the idea of cycling, it will reduce the rate of fuel consumption, save cost, reduce road crashes and keep fit,” said Joshua Adekanye, the state Sector Commander.

Mr Adekanye spoke during the celebration of 2022 World Bicycle Day in Ibadan on Friday.

He, however, noted that most Nigerian roads don’t have bicycle road tracks and thus urged governments at the federal, state and local levels to create tracks for bicycles whenever they are constructing roads.

Mr Adekanye said that a bicycle, being a non-motorised means of transportation, has many other advantages which include non-emission of dangerous sustenance to the atmosphere, fitness of the body and cost effectiveness.

The sector commander said that most Nigerians despise those riding bicycles because they are unaware of its benefits to health and the society.

The World Bicycle Day celebration was done in partnership with the Lapet Feats International and the Oyo State Sports Council.

The General Manager, Oyo State Sports Council, Gboyega Makinde, said that the state is doing well in cycling as no fewer than seven professional cyclists represented Nigeria in international sports competition.

Mr Makinde called on parents to encourage their children in cycling to have more representatives from Nigeria in international sports.

He noted that students could combine the sport with education.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer, Lapet Feats International, Olawale Samson, said that the organisation decided to organise the 25-km Ibadan Cycling Tour in order to promote cycling and other sporting events.

Mr Samson said that cycling promotes good health, longevity and fitness.

(NAN)