CAIRO: The Cairo Bike project — enabling people to rent bicycles for use on the city’s congested streets — has proved a huge success.
The number of users of the project, launched in October, 2022, has exceeded 25,000 and includes tourists and residents.
Cairo Gov. Maj. Gen. Khaled Abdel Aal said: “Monitoring and follow-up data for the project showed a rapid growth in the user base, with the system receiving significant interest.”
Cyclists have also expressed their satisfaction about the new system.
Farid Jamal, a Cairo resident and cycling enthusiast, told Arab News: “This project is very important for the Cairo governorate, as it is part of Cairo’s belief that bicycles are not just a means of transportation but also a symbol of positive cultural change.
“Bicycles are an environmentally friendly mode of transport with positive effects on society and the environment, such as reducing traffic congestion, improving public health, saving on transportation costs and supporting tourism.”
Jamal added: “Our goal was to spread the culture of cycling in Cairo and link it to public transportation as it is one of the important means to promote low-carbon transport in the city for a more sustainable and environment friendly future.
“The project is working well and is popular with citizens. The digital application for the project has been activated to include different payment methods in cooperation with the new project operator appointed by the governorate.”
Wael Hamdy, a young volunteer with the project, told Arab News: “The project currently features 25 stations providing 250 bicycles, representing the first phase of the project.”
Cairo’s governor undertook a field tour on the use of bicycles in the downtown area on Friday.
The tour aimed to experience the daily challenges faced by cyclists and identify opportunities for planning and improving cycling infrastructure in Cairo as a fundamental part of road development projects.
