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The T ransportation Challenge. The Problem & The Need. GOOD, RELIABLE, SAFE AND AFFORDABLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS. Gambians need to get themselves to work or goods to market. They may also need effective transportation to get to medical centers in a time of emergency. What Options Exist.
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The Problem & The Need • GOOD, RELIABLE, SAFE AND AFFORDABLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS. • Gambians need to get themselves to work or goods to market. • They may also need effective transportation to get to medical centers in a time of emergency.
What Options Exist • Walking (slow & hot, can carry limited amounts) • Riding a bike • A donkey cart • A 7/7 or shared vehicle • A taxi, a car • A truck • A plane
The Benefits Of A Good System Effective and efficient transportation can: • Build your economy (Help move workers or goods) • Help or hurt the environment • Help with time management • Makes travel more enjoyable or easy for tourists
A POSSIBLE SOLUTION A Transnational Bike Highway Imagine a path stretching from northern Gambia to Southern Gambia how might this impact the economy, the environment, and health of the country?
Is it Achievable? • The country at its greatest width is 48 kilometers wide (small area) • Low cost of labor makes it affordable • Requires minimal training and skills to build
Social Impact • SAFETY • School children can safely ride to school • Less traffic accidents and better conditions for commuters • BETTER HEALTH • Adults who bike have better weight, blood pressure and insulin levels • Women who bike 30mins a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. • Youth that bike are 48% less likely to be overweight as adults. • FREE TRANSPORATION FOR EVERYONE? • Bike share potential • ATTRACTING CONSCIOUS TOURISTS: • Cycling is the 2nd most popular outdoor activity in the United States. Many European cities have a strong biking culture and would enjoy traveling in the Gambia this way as visitors.
Economic Impact • Bicycling saves you money The average Gambian spends 600d/month for transport. That’s a saving of 7,200 or 36,000d over 5 years. • Bicycling attracts tourists (recreational cyclists spend $354 million dollars a year in Iowa) • Bicycling boosts the economy • The US bicycling industry sold 5.6 billion bicycles and equipment in 2009. • New opportunities for mechanics, sellers, taxi’s, delivery, bike share. • Bicycling saves the state of Iowa 73.9 million in healthcare costs annually.
Environmental Impact • Traffic congestion wastes nearly 3.9million gallons of gasoline in the US each year. • For every 3 kilometers ridden on a bike 1 pound of CO2 is saved.
What next? • 1. Research to determine the best route? • 2. Build public support • 3. Draft a feasibility study to determine costs, etc., • 4. Seek funding • 5. Do a pilot project • 6. What can you do? Get involved info@greenafricaconference.com