Ethiopia has been consistently striving to modernize its infrastructure and transportation systems, closely collaborating with China in this endeavor.
Though the whole lot on the subject of the aforementioned reality is heading in the right direction, the envisioned target has not been attained yet for the most part in the course of rush hour all over Addis Ababa.
Even though numerous attempts have been made to resolve the current issue as soon as possible, the expected outcome has not yet been achieved. Further effort is necessary since the present circumstances require prompt attention.
Similarly, repeated instances of traffic congestion have been observed during peak hours in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia and a key location in Africa. Indeed, considering the current challenges, Ethiopia has implemented several effective strategies aimed at achieving their objectives as swiftly as possible.
Even though various transportation systems have been implemented throughout the capital city, they haven’t yielded the desired outcomes. In reality, the nation boasts an extensive array of transport options aimed at simplifying daily life for Ethiopians nationwide. Nonetheless, a bike-sharing program remains absent from these initiatives.
As far as I understand, Ethiopia could profit from implementing China’s bicycle-sharing systems because individuals have the flexibility to choose different bicycles at affordable prices rather than opting for taxis, city buses, or other transportation methods.
Beyond saving time and cutting down on vehicle emissions, implementing China’s bike-sharing systems would generate numerous employment opportunities for many residents of Addis Ababa. In reality, establishing such a system, despite the duration required, won’t be nearly as challenging as trying to stick jelly to a wall. With China’s bike-sharing model, getting everything right will feel like strolling through a park.
In a similar vein, working in close collaboration with Chinese firms attaining the sought after goal will not be challenging in view of the fact that they know how to make the system work in a successful manner at the earliest possible time.
Given that the city boasts numerous contemporary roadways constructed by Chinese firms, implementing China’s bike-sharing system could facilitate reaching the desired objectives over time. Undoubtedly, one can easily draw considerable insights from China’s experiences with such systems.
With the widespread adoption of smartphones, along with the rise of mobile payments through platforms like Alipay and WeChat, and the declining costs of GPS devices, a novel business concept known as bike-sharing emerged—and experienced rapid expansion. This phenomenon was made possible primarily due to advancements in digital technologies such as GPS and cloud computing, which facilitated precise location services for these bicycles. According to sources, individuals can effortlessly utilize smartphone applications and scan QR codes to unlock bikes electronically thanks to this technological integration.
Sharing bicycles come with very uniform designs and vibrant appearances, featuring prominent branding, tailored for ease of use. Moreover, these bikes incorporate advanced technologies aimed at attracting a youthful audience through innovative elements such as puncture-proof tires, meticulously crafted lightweight frames, and solar panels integrated into the baskets to power the GPS functionality.
In contrast to other regions in the world, such as Europe, where shared bikes need to be parked in defined areas and locked up to posts, Chinese users
Users can collect and leave shared bicycles at any location, offering great convenience over personal bikes. Once the bicycle is properly secured, the rider is charged based on the duration of their trip.
Each corner and crevice of Beijing teems with various striking bicycles. Individuals from different backgrounds can utilize these effortlessly following the established guidelines. The process is incredibly simple, allowing anyone to quickly access the bikes. Consequently, people can travel wherever they desire according to their preferences and inclinations.
Implementing a bicycle-sharing program throughout Addis Ababa could generate numerous employment opportunities for residents over time. Additionally, with multiple private and governmental banking institutions spread across the city, they could develop several methods to ensure the smooth operation of this system.
Similarly, Ethio-Telecom can significantly contribute to streamlining the implementation of the system as quickly as possible, ensuring that individuals from various backgrounds can utilize the bike-sharing program without any issues.
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY, April 22, 2025
