Rwanda National Police

The Rwanda National Police (RNP) road safety awareness continued in Bugesera District on Tuesday where commercial cyclists were urged to be organized and take internal measures to ensure professionalism and foster safe road usage.

This message was delivered on November 10 in Nyamata Sector, where over 600 cyclists convened with police officers and community leaders for discussions on traffic and road  safety and general crime prevention mechanisms.

The District Community Liaison Officer of Bugesera AIP Cyprien Uwitonze reminded cyclists to understand the significance of road safety, take some time to learn about traffic laws because they apply to them as well like any other road user.

“Cyclists are entitled to similar road safety measures like other road users, so they should not assume that road signs do not apply to them,” Uwitonze said.

“Cyclists can make themselves safer and respected by being competent and not over speeding, riding on allocated lanes, using lights at night, and otherwise following the same traffic laws as motorists and vehicle drivers”

Thomas Ntirushwamaboko, one of the cyclists, commended police for reaching out to their sphere, and urged fellow cyclists to follow the advice and be proactive partners in crime prevention.

“Some cyclists witness bad driving, crimes in progress, or are sometimes exploited by criminals such as burglars and transporters of illicit drugs. A patriotic and good cyclist should always be willing to cooperate with police by providing timely information whenever they experience such occurrences, so that their role in crime prevention is documented,” Ntirushwamaboko said.