Safety Of Micromobility Use Among Children In Selected Cities In Ghana: Perspectives Of Children And Stakeholders

Abstract

Efforts in achieving sustainable transport were slow-paced globally until the advent of the COVID-19 which necessitated the need for cities to introduce additional safety measures to alleviate the preeminent risk of coronavirus transmission especially in crowded public transport. Micromobilities – bicycles, skates, scooters, and their various electric versions, are believed to have the potential to reduce the rate of transmission of the virus among people but most importantly could also address some key aspects of environmental, social, and economic sustainability, and enhancing human experience. The objective of this study is therefore to understand children’s perception on the usefulness and safety of micromobility modes as an alternative means of transport and evaluate Ghana’s preparedness in embracing the emerging mobility trends through laid down policies and regulations. Conducted in Kumasi and Cape Coast – two capital cities in Ghana, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through interviews with 182 school children, a skating group and four key stakeholders. There were vast differences in children’s perception of the usefulness of micromobility between the two cities. However, despite the disagreements on cycling being safe between riders and non-riders, there is a consensus of the riding environment being unsafe for riders. A content analysis of four of Ghana’s key transport regulations and policies reveals the consideration of micromobilities as recreational modes. The study recommends that to make active travel and micromobility use attractive especially for children, there should a review of the road regulations and an implementation of the national transport policies to create a safe riding environment for children.