Edward Puowele Karbo

Bicycle Traffic in Tamale

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CONCLUSIONS

The study has shown that the bicycle is a popular mode of transport in Tamale. It dominates the composition of traffic. Its use in the town centre where no special lanes are provided leads to cyclist vehicle, cyclist pedestrian conflicts with dessistrous consequences. This raises the question what road capacity is needed to accommodate its use. Most of the roads which carry high volumes of bicycle traffic are indentified as being in the congested condition.

The provision of separate cycle lanes has therefore been recommended as a means of improving road capacity and accessibility generally. But even with this proposal, there is the important planning problem of predicting the propensity to cycle, once cycle lanes are provided. This need not be a problem because in a most general way the study has indicated that there is a propensity to cycle in Tamale. even without the provision of separate cycle lanes.

The amount of future cycling will probably be determined to the net services in relation to costs provided by cycling as opposed to other modes of travel. Therefore the provision of separate facilities by the construction of safe, clean and attractive cycle lanes, would probably stimulate a beavier bicycle traffic in the long-run. The present fuel crisis, and the need to conserve energy provides a strong reason why cycling should be encouraged.

Even in the event of a future decline in cycling such cycle-routes could be used as pedestrian walk ways. This means that the cycle-routes must be planned as part of the overall transportation system in the town were all modes are considered.

Finally, although the study cannot be described as comprehensive, it provides an essential starting point for future investigations into the characteristics of the bicycle traffic in any town in Northern Ghana.