Last August 13, Elizabeth was run over. A 36-year-old cyclist that circulated on the Toluca-Tenango highway to the height of Mexicaltzingo city hall and who unfortunately died. This fact cause the indignation of different cycling groups, who demanded to create more bike ways to circulate safely.
It’s noteworthy that, at the time of writing this text, driver of the unity of transports Primero de Mayo, who cause the death of the girl isn’t in jail yet.
Due that, many cycling groups as Bicionarias Toluca or Sí a la ciclovía Toluca demanded justice for Elizabeth to authorities, as construct more bike ways in this state, and above all inter-municipal ones.
The implementation of these exclusive lanes ensure that will provide greater safety to cyclists and pedestrians.
Groups raised their voice
Similarly, they requested to apply the law of mobility to create inter-municipal bike ways to transform it into a reality.
“This isn’t new, we have asked the interconnection between Lerma and Zinacantepec since many years ago to cover the 5 most important city halls of Valle de Toluca. Riding on highway is difficult but it isn’t impossible”, declared Mayra Ramírez to Milenio, member of Bicionarias Toluca.
Emphasized that on the case of Elizabeth if circulated on the highway, the bike was its main mean of transport. For that, stressed the importance to create a better road culture to those behind a wheel, due independently of the road is a life that rides a bike.
According to the last inform of death pedestrians and cyclists in Mexico, the metropolitan zone of valle de Toluca takes the 5th national place in run overs.
For that, the group Sí a la ciclovía Toluca, issued their stance through a statement:
“The lack of implementation of inter metropolitan bike ways not only risks the lives of people that decide to use the bike, but delays the development of sustainable infrastructure in all the state, impedes the creation of a safe and efficient mobility system for all people”.
The punishment, a simple removal of concession
According to the company and motorist, Secretary of Mobility of State of Mexico, Daniel Sibaja said to revoke the concession of the unit that caused the death, as the license of the responsible driver.
The measure doesn’t affect transport company, but the involved bus (license plate number A54207E) and driver.
About the death of the cyclist, ensured along with the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Mexico will work to find the driver and clarify responsibilities.
The need of create more bike ways
Before the sad loss of Elizabeth, results unbelievable that in Toluca continues a strong reject to cycling lanes.
The clearest and most controversial example is the Isidro Fabela bike lane, that even though having years to plan this project, it hasn’t been carried out due the refusal of traders of that street. These ensure that the sells will reduce and the bike lane will benefit “to some cyclists”.
For that, is unbelievable that authorities maintain indifferent to death of cyclists. The worst is that, when constructing these bike lanes, these don’t have the necessary protection for cyclists or don’t receive maintenance and security.
You can’t solve the problem removing a concession to a bus, but hiring more competent staff for its driving, with a better road culture, and over all, construct more well planned and implemented bike ways.
