Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has said that members of his cabinet and other government officials are to own bicycles to contribute their quota in ensuring a clean and safer earth.

Lalong, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Danladi Atu, stated this at the commemoration of the World Bicycle Day in Jos on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Bicycle Day is celebrated every year on June 3, a day set aside by the United Nations General Assembly to develop a culture of cycling for basic transportation, commutation, and strengthening physical and mental health.

“The governor has directed that the state Ministry of Transport should ensure that from the governor, deputy governor, Secretary to the State Government and all commissioners must own bicycles.

“This is so that we can queue into the United Nations advocacy to save our earth, he has also instructed that a circular be passed to all the 17 local governments to ensure that there are cycling clubs in all of them,” he said.

He added that the move was to protect, build and strengthen humanity, stating that humanity was at risk as the climate was not in our favour due to harmful emissions from cars and other motorised means of transport.

He thanked the FRSC for the enlightenment adding that the state government would factor cyclists during road constructions in the future to ensure they ride safely and in compliance to traffic rules.

Earlier, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Mr Godwin Alphonsus, in a remark stated that the Corps organised the enlightenment programme to promote the culture of cycling among citizens.

Alphonsus said the 2022 theme tagged ‘Cycling for Earth and Humanity’ was important as the climate was not in favour of humanity, urging residents to take bicycle as a means of transportation.

He said the use of non-motorised transportation would limit carbon emissions released to the atmosphere which have health implications adding that cycling has good health benefits and improve life expectancy.

He added that cycling also reduces traffic congestion, road crashes and reduce national fuel consumption which in turn reduce oil prices.