AMMAN — Two boys took the initiative and made use of a non-operational bus lane in west Amman on Wednesday by turning it into a bicycle lane.
Omar Ahmad and Mohammad Ali, both 14, from the Dahiyat Al Rashid neighbourhood, said they and other teens recently discovered the usefulness of the disused lane on Queen Rania Street near their homes.
The lane was constructed for the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) project, which the Cabinet officially suspended in September last year, amid concerns over its feasibility and funding.
The multimillion dinar project, which the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) started to construct in 2009, entails operating premium, high-capacity buses on exclusive and segregated lanes that can carry more than 120 passengers and will run on a three-minute frequency during peak hours along Amman's busiest corridors.
The two 8th graders said they have nowhere else nearby to cycle safely in Amman, where there are no dedicated bicycle lanes, except for this “new found place”.
Amman residents interviewed by The Jordan Times complained of the lack of public parks, prompting many to picnic on the sides of main roads. In addition, they called for having better sidewalks to make the city more pedestrian friendly. A project to improve pavements and clear them of large trees was started by GAM but the results were unsatisfactory.
Meanwhile, Omar and Mohammad, who found a temporary solution to the lack of bicycle lanes, hope that the BRT issue will take more time to be resolved.
Khaled says:
That's a brilliant idea. Why doesn't the municipality start bicycle lanes in Amman? Or why doesn't it have better sidewalks? We need mayors and municipal workers who understand what public services we need, rather than focus on mega projects.
Ahmad says:
173-million bike lane. Well done GAM! Just a thought: It's not so healthy to ride a bike on such a busy street with plenty of exhaust fumes.
Lana says:
How would they cross this busy road into the middle lane? This is so dangerous!!!
OLLE HOLM says:
I wish we had such unused buslanes in this bicycle filled university city of Lund, Sweden. Good luck to Mohammad and Omar and their fo followers! Perhaps some lane space can also be reserved for electric handicap scooters?
Bus user says:
We are fed up with lousy public transport services in Amman, so we demand that the government continue this important BRT project without any delay
Najwa says:
Totally agree with Khaled. Cycling lanes are so much more feasible to all the public than public transportation. Save energy, build a healthy community, and health culture for sports. Again, to bus user, public transportation has come a long way since the eighties, but still needs more than just a BRT. The whole infrastructure needs rehabilitation. Truly great.