A community-led initiative has launched a public feedback process to help modernise Fiji’s bicycle laws, some of which remain rooted in legislation dating back to 1939. The move, led by Eliki Dakuitoga of Qaqi Mai: Bike Share, comes as cycling shifts from a future idea to an observable part of daily life — from recreation to short trips — in areas such as My Suva Park in Nasese.
“It is already happening. It was a future idea seven years ago — it’s already here,” Dakuitoga said, stressing that the project aims to convert conversation into concrete policy. Qaqi Mai: Bike Share is working alongside government officials on a national review of bicycle legislation, seeking to update rules that have stood since the colonial era and to put practical measures in place for safer, more reliable cycling options.
As part of that review, the group has launched an anonymous public survey to gather real-life insights from commuters and potential cyclists, regardless of whether they currently ride. The survey probes attitudes and barriers, asking respondents whether they would be willing to cycle in heavy traffic, and asking them to identify primary safety concerns — including reckless driving and the lack of dedicated cycling infrastructure — as well as what improvements would encourage them to ride more.
Dakuitoga acknowledged public worries such as road safety, weather and infrastructure gaps, but said the initiative focuses on actionable outcomes rather than extended debate. “We are not just talking — we are putting things on paper,” he said, noting that the feedback will feed into national planning and policy discussions about how bicycles can be integrated into everyday commutes.
Planners are particularly interested in practical commuting applications — for example, cycling between suburbs such as Tamavua and central Suva, and using bicycles to bridge the “last mile” from bus stops to workplaces. The consultation is intended to surface everyday experiences and preferences that could shape rules on helmet use, lane design, parking, and how cyclists interact with motorised traffic.
All survey responses are anonymous, Dakuitoga said, and will be collated to inform proposals presented to government stakeholders. The group frames the exercise as an early but crucial step in developing policy that responds to how people already use bicycles and what would make cycling safer and more attractive for more Fijians.
By placing commuter experiences at the centre of the review, Qaqi Mai: Bike Share and its government partners aim to turn grassroots momentum into a regulatory framework that reflects current needs and encourages wider, safer adoption of cycling across Suva and beyond.
Leave a comment