The IKI Small Grants Project funded Cycling out of Poverty (CooP-Africa) with the main objective of improving the cycling infrastructure and promoting sustainable urban mobility in Jinja, Uganda. Over almost three years, the project aimed to develop easy and affordable activities to enhance the cycling climate, focusing on mapping peri-urban neighborhoods and socio-economic zones to gather data on modal share, mobility needs, obstacles, and attitudes.
The project’s objective was centered on increasing the capacity of officials and professionals in cycling-inclusive planning. To achieve this, CooP-Africa trained twenty-four professionals through four sessions and hosted two Jinja City Planners on a one-week study tour to the Netherlands. These activities aimed to provide hands-on experience and inspiration from successful cycling-inclusive cities, helping the planners advance sustainable transport policies and city regeneration in Jinja.
Activities under this project included conducting research on the current cycling climate in Jinja, sharing findings with key organizations such as the Jinja City Council and the Ministry of Works and Transport, and identifying specific opportunities to create a safer environment for cyclists. A pilot project was implemented to improve cyclist safety, involving the installation of speed feedback systems at seven locations in Jinja City. This intervention led to a notable impact, with 63% of traffic reducing speed on some roads with a 20 km/h limit.
Additionally, CooP-Africa organized eleven quarterly mass bike rides, engaging 1,595 participants to advocate for cycling-inclusive planning and improved infrastructure. These events, along with the creation and implementation of a bike skills curriculum focusing on women, helped unite the cycling community and represent their demand for better infrastructure to city authorities. The project also established an annual Car Free Day in Jinja, further promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation.
Cycling out of Poverty (CooP-Africa), founded in 2007, is a non-governmental organization that improves the livelihoods of African Families by making bicycles and other mobility aids accessible to all. It promotes cycling as an affordable, healthy, and eco-friendly transport option, empowering low-income earners and easing congestion for the growing middle class.
