Certainly, one of the main concerns among pedestrians and drivers is that cyclists often face no financial penalties when they commit traffic violations. However, this is beginning to change with a new rule that will impose fines on cyclists to misuse bike lanes. As a result, cyclists will be expected to follow traffic regulations and use dedicated cycling infrastructure responsibly.
This new measure is already being implemented in Ensenada, Baja California. Cyclists who fail to use designated bike paths may face a financial penalty. The goal is to encourage more responsible use of cycling infrastructure and promote safer mobility for everyone.
It is worth noting that the same measure applies to drivers who misuse bike lanes in any way. For example, this includes parking in a bike lane, driving into it, or using it for any other unauthorized purpose. After all, a bike lane is a dedicated space reserved for cyclists.
How Much Are the Fines for Cyclists?
The general coordinator of cabinet, Martín López Navarro confirmed zero tolerance to those that don’t respect bike ways. These measures will be for bicycle users and drivers.
The economical fines to pay exceed the UMAS (La Unidad de Medida y Actualización, in Spanish or Unit of Measure and Update, in English), meaning, $1085.70 MXN.
For motorists, law applies when invading exclusive lanes. And fines to cyclists when riding out of the bike way, as when they don’t respect traffic signs.
Safety reinforcement in bike paths
Lopez Navarro highlighted to look the safety of cyclists and mentioned that will propose amendments to the State Traffic regulations to impose greater and more severe sanctions and fines for those who do not respect bicycle lanes.
Another measure to reinforce will be safety in cycle paths, for example, municipal cops on bikes will supervise from 8 am to 8 pm, mostly on Playa Hermosa.
For that, general coordinator asked motorists and cyclists to respect transit regulations and avoid fines.
Fair fines, fair bike paths
Of course, many people will be in favor and some other against, but there are two important things.
First, accept that in many occasions’ cyclists break many traffic rules, as circulate in two ways, on sidewalks, don’t use helmet or exceed speed.
For that, is important to know the responsibilities and obligations of riding a bike.
Each cycling transit regulations have their own standards as Mexico City, that allow them to cross with traffic lights in red, is important to respect them for a better co-existence.
Secondly, demand to cyclist circulate by bike lane when there’s one at the road, and is an obligation of government to have it in good conditions.
It isn’t worth it to have a bike path without safety to cyclist. In most of occasions, inaugurate these exclusive lanes with a great party and then, over time, these don’t receive maintenance of authorities.
From there, if desired for cyclist to circulate within bike ways, install high quality and safe confibicis and channelizers; vertical and horizontal signs as good paving and patching, a correct planning and connectivity of this.
