The Bicycle: A Cultural exception in the flood-prone areas of Santchou (Ménoua District in West Cameroon province)
By Vivien Meli

In Santchou, the bicycle forms an integral part of the habits and social interactions of people. The bicycle benefits from the lowland relief as well as socio-historical, economic and infrastructural conditions. It is the main means of mobility and rural development in the flood-prone areas in Santchou. Because of its multiple and varied use and its collective presentation, the bicycle forms a cultural exception in the highlands of West Cameroon.

In Santchou, the bicycle is a unique object in the Bamileke culture. Every households owns at least one bike. Its principle owner is the household chef or leader or he/she who has bought or received the bicycle as a gift or heritance. Everybody seems to have access to a bicycle: men and women of all ages including youth. It seems men and young people are the most frequent users however. Women because of their socio-economic and professional status may be excluded from using the bicycle. As agriculturalists they prefer the local rickshaws which they use for loading their local produce.

In contrast to Santchou, in most areas the bicycle is the exclusive domain of men. To own one is a privilege and a status symbol. Its usage is closely linked to a specific rural commercial activity. This is for example true for the young dealers called "Batcham" in Bamboutos District, who use bicycles as the main means of transport to sell their products in the big rural markets in Bamboutos and Ménoua Districts. Also elsewhere, women do not ride bicycles because of cultural and social restrictions.

And in Santchou, starting as a child, men and women learn how to ride a bicycle in their backyard or at their neighbours' place, on streets or back roads, on roads or at school, and on sports grounds. During adolescence, all those who do not know how to cycle are called foreigners and are made fun of.

The bike is also an indicator for social categorization, as its acquisition is relatively cheap but its ownership important. Those who do not own one are considered to be the most vulnerable, end paradoxically they need a bicycle most. This can be because of long distance (to/from school, work, health centres, markets, fields or daily social places), or long walks, or the size and weight of the transported load (the bags of coffee or cacao of 100 kg, or plantains or bags of ginger, etc) This categorization is also determined by the economic character of the bicycle, notably by its purchase, by its usage and by its maintenance. They can buy a new bike in Douala. But from 10,000 Fcfa, they can buy a second-hand bike in Santchou. To do this they don't need fuel and repairs are more affordable.

The uniformity in bike characteristics in Santchou is also remarkable. The availability of carriers is obviously very important. This is why brands like Zephir and Raley are preferred, so they can transport agricultural produce to and from the market, or to transport a brother or a friend to go or return from school, or, transport a sick man to the hospital, etc.

Moreover, in terms of safety, bikes as well as cyclists have minimal standards. The majority of the bikes (at least 95%) have no brakes. The most part of the bikes of Santchou have not system of stopping. People think brakes are useless since they are in the lowlands and are accustomed to the relief. There is no special consideration for cyclists in traffic either. However at the Bilingual Secondary school in Santchou, there is a designated parking area and additional security to prevent thefts and confusions.

The use of bikes is not exclusive. It is a deciding factor in the rural production chain in Santchou (see photograph: a cyclist with a power-driven pump going to plant) It is not the only means of transport. A part of the population use cars, motorbikes, the rickshaws and carry loads on their head. The bike allows people to go faster and to rationalize energy and resources. But when the crop (coffee, cacao, palm nuts and food-producing products) is big, they link the bike to other means of appropriate transport such as mentioned before. The bike however is more practical for river crossings (where there is no bridge), contrary to other motorized means which can get damaged. The same applies during the rainy season, with regular floodings.

In the agricultural lowlands, the bicycle culture forms a social exception amidst the highlands of West-Cameroon. It is the main, but not exclusive means of mobility and rural transport in Santchou. It is an indicator of social classification and plays a role in socio-economic and cultural development. Despite its potential, it is necessary for cyclists to take safety risks, especially with the new tarred road from Dschang to Douala. And finally women could increase their social status by accessing bicycles.

This opinion piece was contributed by Vivien Meli, Université de Dschang, Cameroun.
Contact: melvivien_03[at]yahoo.fr

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