13 Sep 2016

Mr Boitshoko Itomeng, a resident of Jwaneng has a different perspective about cars and prefers riding a bicycle over driving a car. While some people find comfort in riding in their cars as a mode of transport to take them to their various desired places, the 39-year-old man who originates from Rakops cited many reasons for occasionally using his bicycle than his car.

According to Itomeng, he became a resident of Jwaneng in 2009 when the company he worked for transferred him to the town from Orapa. He said he lived in Unit 8 which is a bit far from the shops and other necessities and he did not have a car by then. 

“It was then that I bought my first bicycle that I used as a mode of transport” he said. He said his bicycle was a mountain bike which cost him around P1800. “My first bike was a 26 inch and I liked it very much but unfortunately it was stolen,” he said.

 Itomeng, now residing in Unit 5, said even though he was sad when his bicycle got stolen, he took consolation in the fact that it was stolen after five years. “When my bicycle was stolen I had bought a car but I still felt the need for a bike” he said. 

Besides the bicycle initially being his mode of transport, Itomeng emphasised that the bicycle had become an “exercise machine”. He said he saw it as a good idea to buy another bicycle which was of higher grade. “My second bike which I am currently using is a 29 inch” he said. Mr Itomeng said he knows of three cases concerning his peers whereby they were recommended by doctors to ride bicycles to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases. “I personally don’t have any health problems and I believe that is as a result of riding the bicycle as often as I do” he said.

Mr Itomeng said he rides his bicycle almost every day in the evenings. He said that usually whenever he encounters children in the street they usually show an expression of fascination. “I think kids become fazed by seeing an adult like me riding a bicycle” he said. He said in the recent times, his peers have also joined in the cycling as he had pointed out to them that cycling reduces his blood pressure to a recommended level. 

He said the bicycle becomes particularly useful at month end as it enables him to manoeuver around traffic easily and therefore saves him time. “Sometimes when I need things which are light like bread and milk for instance, I just use my bike to go to the shops” he said. He said the bicycle also helps him when his car is not functional.  

Mr Itomeng also pointed out that in as much as the bicycle can be used in many different ways, people should note that cycling can also be done as a way of earning a living. He said now that he works for Debswana company, he has had insight of the General Manager Cycling which is a cycling competition that usually takes place once a year. “There is also inter-mines cycling competition usually between Orapa and Jwaneng” he said. 

He said although he has never competed in either one of the competitions, he has the heart for it and would one day participate. He said he was inspired by the recent cycling event whereby the President of the country and other cabinet ministers cycled from Airport Junction mall to Mmamashia and back. “I was mostly inspired by the fact that the funds that were raised during that race where used for charity purposes” he said. 

Mr Itomeng said that shows that cycling can do much more. In his last words, Mr Itomeng said people can engage themselves in sport as a way of earning a living. He said it is a privilege to live in an era whereby sport is being taken seriously. He however recommended that when people buy bicycles they should not go for cheap ones as they may not last them long. He said they should opt for bicycles that cost around P2 000 knowing that they would use them for long. He also emphasised the importance of safety. 

“When riding a bicycle you must wear a helmet because you can fall at any time,” he said. ENDS