Safety Implications of Commercial Bicycle Transport in Kisumu City

Commercial bicycling has become an increasingly important mode of transport in Kenya, particularly in both rural and urban settings since the early 1990s. In Kisumu City, however, the rapid growth of commercial bicycle transport has been associated with a notable burden of road traffic injuries, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. The presence of commercial bicyclists on urban roads has also generated mixed perceptions among road users, with concerns related to congestion, safety, rider competence, and the legal status of cyclists in the transport system. These issues highlight the need to better understand the role of commercial bicyclists in road traffic injuries and the factors contributing to their occurrence. The main objective of this study was to determine the magnitude and characteristics of road traffic injuries involving commercial bicyclists in Kisumu City, as well as to identify contributing factors, explore public perceptions, and assess preferred road safety interventions. A retrospective and cross-sectional study design was adopted.