Rwanda To Join List Of Biking Cities: Shared Electric Motorcycles To Be Launched This Week

Over time Rwanda has built a name for itself for being home to Africa’s cleanest city. The Paul Kagame-led country was among the first in the continent to ban non-biodegradable plastic. Rwanda also gained fame for its ‘Umuganda’ practice which is nationwide community work which brings all Rwandans together for a thorough clean up exercise.

Rwanda aims to become a climate-resilient and low carbon economy by 2050. And going by recent developments including environmental policies, it will be right to say that Rwanda is keen to achieve the set targets.

In a new move towards achieving a cleaner city, Rwanda will as of this week start using electric motorcycles.

The shared electric bicycles will be first tested in Kigali, Huye, Rubavu, and Musanze.

Safi Ltd, a local start-up is behind the technology for shared electric bicycles and motorcycles.

Commuters with smartphones will be required to have a mobile app to be able to use the bicycles since they will be fitted with smart locks. However, Smart-cards will be available for those without smartphones.

Payments will be made through mobile money or bank transfers, this is according to Tony Adesina, the Founder and the Chief Executive of Safi Ltd.

“As we unveil this innovation, it is key to understand that it comes with different arms, including the construction of stations where the bikes will be stationed, skill development centers where operators will be quarterly receiving intensive training and an assembling plant for the bikes which will all enhance the employability of Rwandans,” Adesina said.

“We are targeting all segments of society, from students to middle-class. Since cyclists don’t require a permit we believe that we will have many customers signing up to our system,” he said.

The firm intends to roll out 3,000 electronic bicycles, 2,500 smart bikes, and 1,500 electronic scooters and has pumped USD 13 Mn into the project.

The company is currently setting up 1000 charging and parking docks across four towns including Kigali.

Featured Image Courtesy: Pinterest