The City of Kigali is set to create more cycling-friendly spaces as part of efforts to promote sustainable mobility and improve residents’ quality of life, officials have said.

Cycling areas are sections of urban space designed to be safely and comfortably used by people on bicycles often integrated into wider public space projects such as parks, walkways, and pedestrian-friendly streets.

According to City of Kigali spokesperson Emma-Claudine Ntirenganya, cycling will be among the features of a new public space being developed at the intersection of Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), Kigali Heights (KH), and Kigali Alliance Business Centre (KABC).

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"It’s a public space where different events will be held. Cycling can also be part of it,” she said.

The area, formerly known as the KBC roundabout was demolished ahead of the UCI Road World Championships to create a fan zone and ceremonial grounds.

Cycling paths in restored wetlands

The City of Kigali, in collaboration with the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), is also incorporating cycling lanes into ongoing wetland restoration projects.

According to REMA, Kigali’s wetlands restoration is 67% complete, while walk and cycle paths are 54.1% complete, boosting sustainable transport options across the city.

Five major wetlands under restoration will feature more than 60 kilometres of cycling and pedestrian trails: