Burundi has developed a National Capacity Building Project and Non-Motorized Transport Development project document (2016), which plans to integrate NMT, public transport and individual motorized transport to improve the efficiency of urban mobility, and to encourage a change in attitude toward NMT and public transport.
Background
Due to urbanization, it is predicted that Burundi is likely to have an urban population of at least 2.6 million by 2030 (AFDB). Non-Motorized Transport is the major mode of transport in Burundi. In Bujumbura, the overall NMT modal share is 60 percent whereas in rural areas the approximate modal share for cycling is between 80 – 90 percent.
Burundi is Share the Road’s fourth pilot country. UNEP first engaged with the government of Burundi when representatives from the Ministry of Transport and from Bujumbura City were invited to the “Share the Road Report Launch and East Africa Workshop” at UNEP Headquarters in November 2010. The following year UNEP received a request for support in improving road conditions for all users, during the “Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Workshop on the Costs and Benefits of Clean Fuels and Vehicles”.
Challenges
Burundian cities have faced a rapid population increase over the years with vehicle ownership significantly increasing at the expense of non-motorized transport. Despite the large population using non-motorized transport, the road traffic in Burundi is dominated by motorcycles and private cars which account for almost 80 percent of all registered vehicles.
Successes
In 2015, with the assistance of UN Environment Share the Road, the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Equipment undertook an environmental and social impact assessment for an NMT pilot corridor in the capital city, Bujumbura. The project aimed to develop a national NMT Plan, increase national coordinated capacity in NMT planning and air pollution management, and dramatically improve the road safety record of the country. The country prepared a budget for an NMT design study, and already its roads policy indicated that at least 1.5m had to be set aside for pedestrian and bicycle use. Burundi has developed a National Capacity Building Project and Non-Motorized Transport Development project document (2016), which plans to integrate NMT, public transport and individual motorized transport to improve the efficiency of urban mobility, and to encourage a change in attitude toward NMT and public transport.
