top of page

Africa Just Got its First Bike Share Program in Marrakech

Head to any major city in the United States and you’ll see bike share programs like New York’s CitiBike and Denver’s B-cycle. But the idea has taken longer to cross over to Africa, despite the fact that air pollution has reached dangerous levels throughout many of the continent’s major cities. Now that’s about to change: As Mimi Kirk reports for CityLab, Africa just got its first bike share program—one tied closely to an ambitious pollution prevention goal in Morocco.

It’s called Medina Bike, and it was spearheaded by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. The bike share program is located in Marrakech, which is currently hosting a major U.N. conference on climate change that will determine how nations that sign on to the ambitious Paris Agreement will curb fossil fuel use. Kirk writes that though the project was conceived of by UNIDO, it will continue on after the conference.

In a release, UNIDO notes that the bike share—Africa’s first—will make 300 bicycles available in Marrakech at ten rental stations. The least expensive option makes a bike available for an entire day for the equivalent of five dollars. Kirk notes that the program may serve as a pilot for future initiatives in other African cities.

David Rosen

Like what you read? Donate now and help DRP implement more projects that help communities adapt to the effects of climate change.

PayPal ButtonPayPal Button

© 2017 by Developing Radio Partners.

bottom of page