Exploring the use of active mobility in selected rural areas of Nigeria

Oluwayemi-Oniya Bosede Aderibigbe; Trynos Gumbo

doi:10.6093/1970-9870/10928

Oluwayemi-Oniya Bosede Aderibigbe Sustainable and Smart Cities and Regions Research Group, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of Johannesburg https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8914-323X
Trynos Gumbo Sustainable and Smart Cities and Regions Research Group, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Johannesburg https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3617-4996

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6093/1970-9870/10928

Keywords: Rural areas, Active travel, Accessibility, Sustainable planning, Non-motorised transport

Abstract

Recently, an increasing number of road users are turning to active transportation (AT) modes such as walking and cycling, viewing them as not the only means of mobility, but also opportunities for enhancing physical activity and improving health. However, while AT holds numerous benefits, its adoption and efficacy are influenced by complex environmental and social factors, particularly in rural areas. To investigate these dynamics, this study employed a robust research design, collecting primary data through a multi-stage sampling method. Specifically, 50% of the wards in the rural areas of Ondo State, Nigeria were randomly selected, and a total of 496 structured questionnaires were administered using a systematic sampling approach. Findings from our study revealed that majority of respondents in the rural areas were aged between 70 years and above, and mostly relied on the use of active mobility for trip making. Factors influencing the use of active travel showed distance as the most influential factor. This has a relative index of 0.993 and it is closely followed by travel time with a relative index of 0.984. this study proposed that residents in the rural areas should be sensitized on the benefits associated with active mobility, especially in relation to their health as majority are not aware of its health benefits.

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Author Biographies

Oluwayemi-Oniya Bosede Aderibigbe, Sustainable and Smart Cities and Regions Research Group, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of Johannesburg

She is a Professional Planner and a Lecturer in the Department of Logistics and Transport Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria. She is also a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment in the University of Johannesburg (UJ). She holds a PhD in Transport Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure Nigeria as well as a masters and bachelors degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile ife Nigeria. Her research interests include urban transportation planning, travel behaviour studies, sustainable and smart cities, climate change, emerging technologies in urban planning and green economy. Her research interests leverage a combination of experimental and empirical approaches using both qualitative and quantitative data to study complex problems in the field of urban planning. She has published in reputable chapters, peer-reviewed journals and peer-reviewed conference proceedings.

Trynos Gumbo, Sustainable and Smart Cities and Regions Research Group, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Johannesburg

He is a C2 NRF rated researcher and a SACPLAN Registered Professional Planner, who is currently working as a Full Professor and leader of the Sustainable and Smart Cities and Regions (SSCR) group within the Department of Urban and Regional Planning within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa. He holds a PhD from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, as well as master’s and honours degrees from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), Zimbabwe. He has previously worked in the Africa Institute of South Africa of the Human Sciences Research Council as a research specialist and Acting Head for the sustainable development programme. His research interests include urban transportation planning and management, sustain- able and smart cities development, housing and economic informality, green economy and renewable energy generation from waste, and innovative building technologies and materials.

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