Lagos To Observe Car-free Day On Sunday Sept. 25, 2022 – Aimed To Encourage Cycling, Walking

Residents in Lagos to observe car-free day on Sunday September 25th, 2022, Lagos State Government has announced.

Aimed to encourage road users and motorists to take up active and inclusive means of transport such as cycling and walking.

Lagos State Government said traffic will be diverted around Alausa/Ikeja as cyclists will utilize the Governor’s Office Road. 

Urge motorists to prepare to join the rest of the world in observing the Car Free Day at the Alausa, Ikeja venue on Sunday.

Residents in Lagos will on Sunday, September 25, 2022, observe the first ever ‘Car Free Day’ as the State Government move to encourage road users and motorists to set aside their cars for a day and take up active and inclusive means of transport such as cycling and walking.

Speaking on the initiative, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, explained that the programme is aimed to create awareness about the benefits of Non-Motorised Transport (NMT), including reduced environmental pollution.

He added that the initiative will also reduce insufficient physical activity and sedentary behaviour to promote the health of the people regardless of their ages.

“Vehicular emissions have now become a global issue. In Nigeria as well as other developing countries, 25% of the air pollution problems are a result of automobile exhaust. This is very evident in the number of unroadworthy and smoky vehicles plying our roads on daily basis, causing not just health issues but visibility problems and sometimes accidents”, Oladeinde stated.

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The Commissioner said traffic will be diverted around Alausa/Ikeja as cyclists will utilize the Governor’s Office Road, through Mobolaji Johnson Avenue, Billings Way, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Aromire, Adeniyi Jones and Oba Akran Way to mark the event while about 400 Meters of the Governor’s Avenue will be closed for the event.

Oladeinde further stated that the event, which was being coordinated by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, in conjunction with Lagos Urban Development Initiative (LUDI), was necessary to continuously enlighten the citizenry on the importance of environmental health.

While urging motorists to prepare to join the rest of the world in observing the Car Free Day, the Commissioner disclosed that hundreds of people are expected to convene at the Alausa, Ikeja venue on Sunday, where exciting activities such as cycling, cycling training, cycling competitions, skating, stretches, music and dance will also take place.

Oladehinde assured that Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) personnel would collaborate with the men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to manage vehicular movement on the diversion routes. He urged the motoring public to cooperate with the interventions put in place to minimise inconveniences.

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