KIGALI, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Air pollution in Rwanda's capital Kigali fell by up to 45 percent during the recently concluded International Cycling Union Road World Championships, thanks to reduced traffic, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) said in a report Wednesday.
The championships, held from Sept. 21 to 28, drew more than 900 cyclists from around the world. To facilitate the races, major city roads were closed, passenger vehicles were diverted to alternative routes, and trucks were rerouted.
REMA said in the report that the shift in traffic patterns offered a unique opportunity to assess the impact of reduced vehicular emissions on Kigali's air quality. Based on monitoring before and during the event, levels of fine particulate matter fell by up to 45 percent on closed routes. Alternative routes recorded reductions of 30-35 percent, while non-route areas saw little change.
"These findings are a clear demonstration of how reduced traffic emissions directly improve the air we breathe," REMA Director General Juliet Kabera said, noting that during the championships, air quality in Kigali remained in the moderate range, acceptable for the public under the World Health Organization guidelines.
The report also found fewer extreme pollution events compared with baseline data, with 10 monitoring stations set up across the city during race week to track air quality.
Earlier this year, Rwanda's Ministry of Environment introduced enhanced vehicle emissions testing, underscoring the country's commitment to cleaner air, improved public health, and sustainable urban development.
