- A campaign known as #MyLane2 seeks to influence legislation in Parliament to promote a safer and more sustainable road system
- She says anytime there is a new road project, they use social media to remind road agencies to include non-motorised transport
Carol Mbutura, 55, is passionate about cycling.
She discovered the joy of commuting to work when she lived in the UK seven years ago.
“I have been cycling since I was a child. Cycling is therapeutic,” she says.
“When I came back to Kenya, I continued cycling but I still struggle with the vehicles. Despite having full cycling gear, motorists do not respect us now. But we are extremely careful.”
Mbutura, a businesswoman, says there is a need for authorities to ensure working cycling lanes are part and parcel of new road projects.
A campaign known as #MyLane2 seeks to influence legislation in Parliament to promote a safer and more sustainable road system.
She says anytime there is a new road project, they use social media to remind road agencies to include non-motorised transport.
Cyclists in the country face a number of challenges posed by public service vehicles. Sometimes, PSVs stop abruptly in front of them, risking their lives.
Other challenges they face include pollution and punctures caused by debris deposited on the roads.
To address some of these challenges, the cyclists are pushing for amendment of regulations to allow non-motorised transport.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda for sponsoring the LesuudaNMT Bill currently at the first reading in Parliament. If enacted, the law will be instrumental in promoting non-motorised transport,” Mbutura says.
The Bill seeks to give vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians dedicated lanes.
“We help fundraise and raise awareness. Bicycle is environmentally friendly and has no emissions.”
In 2021, the cycling for forest initiative was initiated in Kaptagat forest to reduce carbon footprints while promoting reforestation.
Mbutura was among hundreds of cyclists who took part in the event.
“Our goal was simple; to reduce our carbon footprints and champion reforestation. This initiative was a turning point for us cyclists and with the support of the World Wide Fund for Nature-Kenya; we became more organised, forming groups with a shared purpose.”
The Kaptagat cycling challenge is not just about nurturing trees; it is about nurturing talent and putting money into the pockets of young people.
“By combining sports with conservation, we are restoring Kenya’s disappearing forests, growing talent and ensuring that future generations earn through sports.”
Martin Ngochi, 35, cycles competitively.
“I started cycling in 2014, before racing in 2016. I became a pilot – a lead cyclist in a group ride – in 2019,” he says.
“To be a pilot, you have to be fit because as a pilot, you will carry the weight of the bicycle. It also comes with experience because navigating these roads with a tandem is not a joke,” Ngochi says.
He does two to three local races a year.
Mbutura and Ngochi were among the more than 100 cyclists from East Africa who took part in the inaugural Kaptagat Cycling Challenge.
They are on a mission to green the country by planting and nurturing trees while also nurturing talent.
As part of the restoration efforts of Kaptagat, the eighth edition of the Annual Kaptagat Tree Growing Drive was launched on June 24.
The proceeds from the 21km Kaptagat Forest Marathon and 66km Kaptagat Cycling Challenge organised by Athletics Kenya will go towards restoring the Kaptagat landscape and improving livelihoods of the local community.
During the event, the One Kilometre, One Acre, One Cow initiative was also launched.
The programme focuses on rehabilitating the forest landscape and enhancing community livelihoods.
Under the initiative, each of the 28,000 households within the Kaptagat landscape will get one high-yielding heifer, one biogas unit and access to water and lighting from renewable sources for every kilometre of fence secured in Kaptagat Forest.
Each of the 28,000 households will also have one acre put under cash crop and pasture.
Some 273 kilometres of the five forest blocks will be fenced and 28,000 acres of land will be put under pasture and cash crops for community members.
Moreover, the communities will also benefit from access to clean water as well as clean energy such as solar for lighting.
The five-year conservation programme will cost Sh16 billion with the lion's share of the resources going to community livelihoods and resilience intervention.