Decision to Ban Motorcycles from Nairobi CBD Timely

The decision by the County Government of Nairobi to ban all motorcycle operators from ferrying passengers to and from the Central Business District has been welcomed by many quarters. The ban which took effect immediately has come as a relief to many road users within the Central Business District especially pedestrians.

For many years now, motorcycles have been operating within the city, ferrying passengers from peripheral termini to the Central Business District. This mode of transport is popular because they charge from 100 shillings to 150 shillings as compared to taxis whose majority charge a minimum fee of 300 shillings. They are also fast as compared to others during heavy traffic jams.

Among the points most of the motorbike operators operate from within Nairobi include Harambee Lane next to Timesr Towers, Tuskys Imara along Tom Mboya Street as well as Muthurwa market. According to the Nairobi city zoning regulations, the Central Business District includes such areas that are bound by Tom Mboya Street, Uhuru Highway, Haile Selassie Avenue and the University way.

Many people who have condemned the move to ban the operators from the CBD have their reasons. Some have said that this will reduce the daily dues of many bodaboda operators. Some have also said that this will make the operators to be concentrated in only one area. The fact is that these bodabodas have been helpful especially whenever there is a traffic jam within town. Motorcycles often come in handy during traffic jams because their operators have mastered the skill of maneuvering through the long traffic.

With this ban, there is no doubt some people are going to be affected. Those who run the business and those who rely on it for movement. But what are the long-term benefits of this ban? This ban has a wider range of benefits to many who operate within the CBD.

Confusion within the CBD is at least going to be put under control. Purpose to go to the CBD during rush hours and you will know the meaning of the word confusion. Bodaboda operators who have been operating in this region have often created immense confusion to both the pedestrians and other car drivers. As a pedestrian, you are always left to either avoid the incoming car and be hit by a speeding motorcycle or be hit by an incoming car and let the speeding motorcycle pass. The banning of these operators will therefore create some sort of order within the CBD.

In the past, there has been incidences where criminal have been using motorcycles to commit crime within the CBD and then take off. Criminal activities will somehow be contained because armed gangs who have been terrorizing people and then take off will have little chances escaping on foot. This may be seen as a trivial thing that is impossible but is surely helpful.

Incidences of people being knocked down by motorcycles will reduce. There have been many cases of people being knocked down by motorcycles simply because most of these operators fault traffic rules.

Air pollution within the CBD will be managed. Motorcycles are noisy and they have often made the lives of those who operate within the CBD unbearable due to the noise of their engines. Their removal, therefore, will create some calm and order within the CBD.

The County Government of Nairobi, however, is yet to initiate the order. Business is still as usual within the CBD. Motorcycles are still littered all over.