The decision of the Lagos state government to ban activities of commercial motorcycles in some major metropolis in Lagos state may compel many of the city’s bike hailing services to look beyond Lagos state and consider other cities.
On Monday January 27, the government of Lagos state announced its decision to ban tricycles and motorcycles in major areas of the city.
“After consultations with the stakeholders, the state security council, in compliance with the extant transport sector reform laws 2018 has decided to commence enforcement of the law which bans motorcycles and tricycles,” said Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy.
The policy is expected to go into effect from February 1 in the following Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas: Apapa, Apapa-Iganmu, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, Surulere, Itire-Ikate, Coker-Aguda, Ikeja, Onigbongbo, Ojodu, Eti-Osa, Ikoyi-Obalende and Lagos Island.
To cushion the effects of the ban, Lagos state government said it will roll out buses for the areas.
“But first thing is that, transportation has to be safe and those areas will be adequately covered,” the commissioner said.
The new policy is expected to affect bike hailing services such as Oride, Gokada and Max.ng that are aggressively competing for market share in Lagos. But unlike its contemporaries, Oride also has strong presence and dominance in several major cities outside Lagos thus the other players may be compelled to compete with Oride or open in new locations.