Accra: Mr Tony Dickson Afriford, a Road Crash and Injury Prevention Analyst, has called for urgent reforms in Ghana’s road engineering system to incorporate dedicated cycle lanes on both highways and urban roads. Mr Afriford’s appeal comes in response to the increasing number of road crashes involving cyclists, who are often forced to share road space with fast-moving vehicles.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Afriford emphasized that the growing number of injuries and fatalities among cyclists indicates that the current road designs are not cyclist-friendly. He pointed out that cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users, yet they are frequently overlooked in road planning and infrastructure development. ‘As the population is growing, we have to expand our roads and make sure that cyclists have their lanes, pedestrians have their lanes, and vehicles have their way,’ he stated.

Mr Afriford proposed that all new road construction projects, as well as ongoing upgrades, should include designated cycle lanes that are physically separated from motor vehicle traffic. He argued that such infrastructure would not only protect cyclists but also encourage more people to adopt cycling as a healthy, affordable, and environmentally friendly mode of transport.

He noted that cycling has become a major part of the transport system in some countries due to the presence of safe and well-maintained cycling infrastructure. Mr Afriford expressed his belief that Ghana could achieve similar success if there was the political will and sufficient investment to support such changes.

The analyst urged city planners, engineers, and the Ministry of Roads and Highways to prioritize the safety of non-motorized road users in their planning frameworks. He also appealed to local assemblies to invest in road markings, signage, and public awareness campaigns to enhance cyclist safety. Additionally, Mr Afriford called for strict enforcement of road regulations to help reduce road crashes and fatalities in the country.