(Updated) Some leaders of Burundi had come up with a way to deal with those pesky bicycle taxis — ban them. The central African nation's president didn't think that was too good an idea and rescinded the order within hours.
The nation's transportation secretary signed the order to ban bicycle taxis because they weave in and out of traffic and cause accidents, many of them fatal, according to wire services.
The decision put an estimated 100,000 people out of work. Most were making just a dollar or two a day. An opposition group says there might be retaliation from those who suddenly find themselves unemployed.
President Dometien Ndayizeye decided a little more thought should go into the problem, so he rescinded the order and is creating a commission to look at the problem. An updated wire service report says Ndayizeye was afraid create more problems than it solves.
Let's hope the civic leaders in this country don't resolve conflicts between motor traffic and bicycles by choosing to ban bicycles. Wait a minute, New York City has already led the way by arresting bicyclists during Critical Mass rides.
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