Bike way construction must be one of the priorities of mobility for cities that want to develop sustainable transport. The bike paths are an exclusive lane for bikes that develop the use of this vehicle and other non-motorized transports, creating new options of friendly move with the environment. Recently, the Chihuahua state, in Mexico, tries to foster the use of bike in more people through a greater creation of bike ways. Likewise, is expected with that, a more harmonious and fluid street transit among pedestrians and the different types of motorists.
A new law
The above mentioned would be possible thanks to the recent issued Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Vial del estado (Law of Mobility and Road Safety of the State). This considers build spaces for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles in different municipalities of the entity.
The intention is to safeguard the life of people, at the same time wants to improve a social co-existence among everyone. Meaning, each sector has a space to transit quickly and safely.
Likewise, the new specific standard clarifies specifically the prioritization that exist on streets. In this way, authorities and citizens can have a better management of circulation. The order was the following:
- In first place, pedestrians are prioritized, then cyclists, then users of non-motorized vehicles.
- Secondly, the users and providers of public passenger transportation.
- In third place, the providers of public transport service and distribution of merchandise.
- Finally, the users of private motorized vehicles.
What does the new law say about the creation of bike ways?
For the creation of bike ways and other spaces for mobility, the article 81 of the law. It indicated that will guarantee dimensions, connections and spaces for the functional use of the road, as the provision of public spaces for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles. These spaces must be comfortable, accessible, safe and constructed with quality to guarantee a free circulation.
Priority for the construction of bike ways
With this law, the most benefited ones will be cyclists, due has been put certain attention on the construction of bike ways. The interesting thing, is that will find cycling lanes as sidewalks to be inclusive and safe for bike users.
Thus, it was stipulated that authorities must include cycle routes to their works. For that, must consider the design of operation, maintenance and parking. All under the strict criteria of safety, continuity, coherence, comfort, attractive and adaptability.
Among the criteria to follow are: lighting, separation of cycle path with heavyweight transit and the easy entrance and exit of these bike paths.
However, the most remarkable thing, is that the purpose of any bike way, must be interconnected with other services of public transport. In addition, diverse parts of them must have green areas with trees and shadows.
The intention is that these cycling lanes will be more direct and faster than the car lanes.
An space for everyone with the construction of bike ways
The new law indicates that the construction of bike ways must consider not only the existent infrastructure, but the future one. The goal is to achieve that these don’t interfere neither obstruct the circulation of pedestrians. In this way, both, sidewalks and cycling spaces would have the necessary magnitude for a full mobility.
