Bike sharing project at Makerere University Kampala, Uganda

World Streets and the New Mobility Agenda are strong and consistent supporters of bike sharing projects created in university settings, particularly when planned and implemented on the basis of collaboration with students and faculty. We have reported on the excellent bike sharing project at Taiwan National University, and today we are pleased to share with you information just in from the Bike Sharing Project at Makerere University in Kampala Uganda. Projects like this not only improve mobility and environment for all within the target area, but also serve to prepare future leaders.



The Bike Sharing Project at Makerere University is part of the project “Promoting bicycling in Kampala” being implemented by UST-Network (Uganda Sustainable Transport Network) in collaboration with the Dutch Cycling Embassy, with support from UN-Habitat.

The Project ‘Promoting Cycling in Kampala’ has been undertaken in the context of recent policy developments and related initiatives both ongoing and planned for the city of Kampala. This includes Kampala’s recently adopted Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) Policy, planned NMT corridor and the NMT components of the ongoing SUSTRAN (Promoting Sustainable Transport Solutions for East African Cities) Project which is concurrently being implemented in Kampala as well as the BRT project.

Preference for Makerere University

Makerere University was preferred and singled out basing on the following specific aspects;

1. The attitude of cycling in Kampala

2. Safety of the cyclists within campus

3. Acceptability of the project by administration

4. Nature of the project-Pilot

5. Existing population group-Youthful/the future

6. The Future: research and multiplier effect

7. Existing demand: Some student cyclists

8. The size and impact of the institution (Approx. 40,000 students) and impact on future outcomes

9. Accessibility within the university campus

Operationalization of the bike sharing scheme

Currently, bike sharing is on-going, and students and staff of one college were piloted because of project management and bicycle security

There are more male than female borrowers

Regarding bike security, the project was dubbed “cycle for health”, in order to discourage parking and abandoning of the bikes at different destinations. This was because there are bicycle parking facilities as well as security. Also, it was assumed that health would be very important for most of the targeted people, hence attractive.

There is also day time and night time security for the bikes

Students who had initially been riding their own bikes now have descent parking on the project rack, but at it its back

Also, the project has been more than appreciated and liked by the main beneficiaries, the university and the general public. This has been done mainly through Facebook, and evaluation at the bike borrowing location, which is still on-going.

A section of the media also picked interest in it and covered it (The Observer and Red pepper, FM Radio Simba).

Some of the feedback includes; need for similar facilities within the whole university campus, open it up to more students

For now the demand is higher than expected.

The peak borrowing time is 2-5 Pm

Students and staff from the other colleges feel discriminated against

Bicycle maintenance is carried out regularly by the team

Weekly meetings are held to review progress

For next plans, we have sought bicycle lights and reflectors from ANWB a FIA member club from the Netherlands. The items have already arrived in Uganda, and are yet to be collected.

Evaluation is on-going and that will also inform on the next steps required

The following is a summary of our guiding terms and conditions;

BIKE SHARING PILOT PROJECT AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY 2014
“CYCLING FOR HEALTH WITHIN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS”

(Please note that once your signature is appended against your name terms and conditions (below) apply. Please read them carefully before borrowing the bike)

Terms and Conditions of

1. All borrowed bicycles are property of UST-Network
2. Borrowing is only done between 8:00 am and 6:00 Pm
3. Borrowing is only possible from Monday till Saturday (This is to allow for maintenance of the bikes on Sundays)
4. You MUST know how to ride. UST-Network and its partners are not liable to any injuries suffered as a result of learning
5. Abide by the traffic rules and regulations, as stipulated in the Road Safety and Traffic Regulations Act of Uganda
6. You MUST mind the safety of other road users
7. You MUST be a student or staff of CEDAT(College of Engineering Design Art and Technology), Makerere University, and you need to present your original ID card for verification, and its photocopy, every time you borrow the bike
8. Usage of the borrowed bike is only permitted within Makerere University Campus
9. You are advised NOT to over speed nor race
10. Bike usage for the first one hour is free of charge. You will be charged UGX 2000, for any extra hour. This is to ensure that ALL have an opportunity to share the bike
11. The bikes will be issued on a “first come first served” basis, but female users will be given priority
12. All bikes must be returned on the rack by 6:00 Pm
13. Mind the safety of the bike. You are advised against abandoning the bike.
14. For health reasons, kindly consult your doctor if you should ride or not.
15. For your own safety, do NOT drink and ride the bicycle
16. You MUST be 18 years old or above.
17. UST-Network and its partners shall not be liable for any injury howsoever arising from the use or associated use of the bicycle or cycling in general whether such injury be a result of negligent use of the bicycle, lack of knowledge to ride, poor health of the rider, or whatever other cause.

“Enjoy cycling within Campus; for health, fun, convenience and save your environment”

 

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Project leader Ms. Ngabirano.
The Makerere University bike sharing project is pilot in nature and is being co-ordinated by Ms Amanda Ngabirano on behalf of UST-Network (Uganda Sustainable Transport Network) and the Dutch Cycling Embassy





 



 

 

 

 

 

 

UST-Network
UST-Network is a non-governmental organization whose prime focus is to promote the use of environmentally friendly and efficient means of transport in order to advance social and economic development in Uganda.  Kampala City is the fastest of them all and that explains the intensity of the transport related effects within and around it. For instance, the unbeatable periodic traffic congestion, road accidents, high transport costs (fuel for private and cash expenditure by public transport users, loss of time, and immense pollution. Different institutions are grappling with executing transport projects on their part in terms of transport needs of the city and neighbouring regions. UST-Network is a major partner in the guidelines and policy development, community sensitization, and promotion of sustainable transport solutions to the major stakeholders in Uganda. The vast experience and exposure from its members in public communication and sensitization is a wealth of opportunity the institutional authorities ought to take advantage of. UST-Network is proud to move together with the relevant institutions and urban centres.

Dutch Cycling Embassy
The Dutch Cycling Embassy is a public private network. The Embassy operates in the field of urban planning and mobility. She is an intermediary between the demand for Dutch inputs (expertise, products and services) and Dutch parties that can deliver.

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