The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Oyo State Command, has called on Nigerians to embrace the use of bicycles to reduce crashes and the number of vehicles plying the roads.

The state Sector Commander, Corps Commander, Joshua Adekanye, gave the advice during the celebration of 2022 World Bicycle Day in Ibadan on Friday.

The celebration, in partnership with the Lapet Feats International and the Oyo State Sports Council, has as its theme; ”Cycling for Health and Humanity”.

Adekanye said that the bicycle, being a non-motorized means of transportation, has many other advantages which include non-emission of dangerous sustenance to the atmosphere, the 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 society.

He called on the Federal, State, and Local Governments to create tracks for bicycles whenever they are constructing roads.

According to him, most roads in Nigeria don’t have bicycle road tracks.

“If we all embrace the idea of cycling, it will reduce the rate of fuel consumption, safe cost, reduce road crashes and keep fit,” he said.

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

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, Mr. Olawale Samson, said that the organization decided to organize the 25-km Ibadan Cycling Tour in order to promote cycling and other sporting events.

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

The highlight of the day was riding of bicycles by professional cyclists to some major areas within the Ibadan metropolis.