Citation

Grisley W. Transp. Res. Rec. 1995; 1487: 99-105.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The transportation of agricultural commodities on the Bombo Road leading into Kampala, Uganda, is studied with special reference to the role played by bicycle transporters. In total, an estimated 43,127 tons of agricultural commodities was transported down the Bombo Road during 1992. Bicycles transported 7,620 tons, or 18%, but were responsible for almost all transportation within a 1-day (bicycle) distance to the market. Within this range, motorized vehicles could not compete with bicycles. The key to the success of the bicycle along the Bombo Road is the ease of road access to local markets. Other roads leading into Kampala are narrow and congested and bicycles cannot compete with the heavy motorized vehicle traffic. When used in transportation, bicycles create more employment, demand less foreign exchange, use less land, require a less costly road network system, cause less pollution, and can be less environmentally damaging than motorized transport. Bicyclists also provide vital market information to farmers, and they are able to service small-scale farmers. Motorized transportation cannot fulfill these roles as efficiently.

Language: en

Keywords

Bicycles; Roads and streets; Motor transportation; Traffic surveys; Industrial economics; Agricultural products