27 February 2007

Non-motorised means of transportation needs to be incorporated into the broader transport system in the country in an effort to ensure safe, affordable and reliable transport system, a conference held last week in Midrand has found.

The two-day International Non-Motorised Transport and Intermediate Means of Transport Conference, which ended on Friday, looked at the role of non-motorised transport in providing a solution to congestion and dependency on fossil fuels, and in creating a healthy, economically and sustainable environment for all citizens.

Non-motorised transport (NMT) includes bicycles and animal-drawn carts, while intermediate means of transport (IMT) include scooter bicycles and cabs, roller blades and electric bicycles.

The conference attracted more than 400 international, national, provincial, local government delegates and cycling advocacy groups.

It gave delegates an opportunity to debate and formulate strategies to promote the inclusion of NMT in the transport system.

The conference also sought to motivate policy-makers, transport planners and transport engineers to include this form of transport in their startegies.

Opening the conference on Thursday, South African Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe said NMT and IMT play a key role in providing affordable, sustainable and environment-friendly transportation systems in developing and developed countries worldwide, increasingly prioritised by city planners.

According to Radebe, the objectives of the conference and exhibition were to:

• Create awareness of NMT and IMT as viable and effective low-cost mobility solutions.
• Share South African and international experiences of these modes of transport.
• Showcase the latest NMT and IMT technologies.
• Promote dialogue among transport planners, policy-makers, NMT and IMT manufacturers, retailers, and users.
• Build and improve relationships and sharing of expertise and best practices between local and international NMT role-players.

Until recently, NMT and IMT had not been given much attention in South Africa's transportation system agenda and priorities, Radebe said.

"However, the growing urbanisation, congestion and excessive demand for fossil fuel has dictated a need for us in the South African transport sector and policy-makers to start looking seriously at developing, implementing and promoting these means of transport as viable alternative modes of transport."

He said integrating NMT into South Africa's ongoing socioeconomic development would improve accessibility and mobility, particularly in poorly serviced areas.

In 2000 the Department of Transport established the Shova Kalula ("pedal easy") Bicycle programme as a pilot project to promote the use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transport in remote and resource-poor areas of South Africa, Radebe said.

The project is now in its fourth implementation phase, with the target of rolling out more than 1-million bicycles countrywide by 2015.