BASIRKA Ibrahim Adamu, DICKSON Olayemi Funmilayo, ODEYEMI Temitayo Isaac (2018) “Two versus Fourwheeler?”: confusing traffic regulations and Tricycle Riders in Kano Metropolis

New forms of public transport manifests various violations of legal and institutional frameworks for traffic control in the face of rising population across large Nigerian cities. While there have been efforts at engaging this issue by studies focusing on Lagos, this study explores the condition in Kano, where tricycles have replaced motorcycles as the main mode of public transportation. Specifically, we examined the legal as well as state and nonstate institutional frameworks for the operations of tricycle as a commercial mode of transportation, and how these connect with awareness of, and willingness to, obey extant traffic regulations. Drawing on data obtained through semi-structured interviews, direct observation and document analysis, our study argues that the behaviour of the main actors concerned by the tricycle business and its regulation is characterised by confusion: confusion of the tricycle riders regarding the rules they have to obey, but also confusion of the regulatory bodies that set these rules. We emphasise the importance of clarity of legislations and education of riders to the sanitation of the tricycle system in ways that help safeguard the interest and security of all road users.

Keywords: Traffic Regulations, Tricycle Riders, Kano metropolis, Commercial Transportation

Tags: Nigeria, Kano, Transport, Tricycle, Traffic regulations, Urban