The objective of the proposed study titled ‘A comparative Assessment of the Quality of Walking and Cycling Infrastructure in Nakuru and Jinja’ is to compare and contrast walking and cycling infrastructure in two secondary towns in East Africa; Nakuru and Jinja in Kenya and Uganda respectively. The main objective of this study is to assess the quality of walking and cycling infrastructure in Nakuru and Jinja. While a number of studies have been conducted assessing walking and cycling infrastructure in Africa, this study fills a gap in knowledge concerning the quality of walking and cycling infrastructure in African secondary cities utilizing a mixed-methods approach with both quantitative and qualitative participatory approaches. Walkers and cyclists in many parts of Africa are “captive walkers and cyclists”; walking and cycling out of necessity and affordability as opposed to accessibility, safety and pleasure.

The proposed study seeks to meet two objectives

(i) assess the quality of walking and cycling infrastructure in selected roads in Nakuru and Jinja

(ii) explore user experiences and perspective on quality of walking and cycling infrastructure in Nakuru and Jinja.

The level of service (LOS) trip quality method will be used with co-assessment done together with community members. In addition, a survey will be conducted using the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS-Africa) tool, which has been validated to rate perceptions of walkers and cyclists in these settings. Lastly, a qualitative approach utilizing focus group and key-informant interviews will be conducted to obtain an in-depth analysis from lived experiences and understand their preferences.