Black mamba to the rescue: Why university students are ditching boda bodas for bicycles

While in some countries, the bicycle is viewed as the ‘clean’ mode of transport as the world seeks to mitigate the effects of climate change, in Kenya, those who opt for cycling often describe it as an extreme sport.

With many motorists failing to respect the few paths set aside for cyclists and the hectic traffic which leaves every man for himself, it becomes an uphill task to navigate the roads.

For others, they view a bicycle as a mode of transport for those who are unable to afford other means of transport.

However, for a section of university students, cycling has become the preferred mode of transport within campus and for short distances outside.

A section of students at Moi University main campus spoke to Wananchi Reporting on why they prefer cycling or jumping on as a passenger on a black mamba.

If you pass through the main gate of the campus, it is not foreign to see a line of cyclists waiting on their next customer (student) to take to hostels or within or without the campus.

They provide a convenient and efficient way to navigate the campus, allowing to students to easily move between classes and various locations on campus.

“It has been helping. This distance is not very short so at times we need the bicycles to help us reach our classes on time. We start our classes at seven and when a person is not careful or an early riser, they might miss some content. The prices are fair and comrade friendly. It is only Ksh 20 to move around the school premises,” former student leader, Hanington Osoro, said.

“We prefer not to use boda bodas because they tend to speed and can be dangerous and are sometimes a security concern.”

According to Benard Ochola, “People have overlooked cycling. It saves you money and is convenient.”

Catherine Wambui, a fourth year student at Moi University, said she might have been missing exams had she not opted for the convenient mode of transport. “Ladies can take their time before leaving their rooms and hostels. It has helped us during examinations and CATs as well. It takes a maximum of five minutes to be in class,” she said.

Some students use the bicycles to ferry their luggage to the hostel or main gate.

The cyclists have also said they have made extra income from ferrying students.

“Nimefanya hii kazi kwa miaka kumi na tatu . Nakuja hapa kila asubuhi nikitoka jioni. Na hii kazi ndo nasomesha nayo watoto wangu,” (I have been doing this job for thirteen years now. It is my full time job and my family depends on it entirely) said Victor Kavai, a cyclist at Moi University.

As small as it looks, someone might see it as a waste of time. One cyclist disclosed the amount of money he gets per day.

“Mimi nasema watu wasidharau kazi yoyote. Zile siku wanafunzi wanatoka nyumbani ama wakienda nyumbani, natoka hapa na kama elfu mbili ama tatu juu ya mzigo pia. Lakini siku za kawaida naeza toka na mia tano ama sita hivi,”  said Isaiah Lagat.

This loosely translates to: "People should not look down on this job. During peak days when students are either going or coming from home, I get up to Ksh 3000 since we charge luggage differently while normal days I get approximate of Ksh. 600.