Once city have their own bike lanes, the optimal thing is to continue with the bike lane extension. This allows a greater interconnection among them, as with other means of transport. All in favor of a better and easier mobility for everyone.
If we add the cyclist figure on traffic regulations & infrastructure intended to the bike use, it will guarantee a greater safety and respect of these users and spaces.
For example, this occurs in Chiapas, where a recent modification to the traffic regulations benefit to the mobility on their capital.
In accordance with Maria José Blanco, activist in topics or urban mobility and president of Oficina de la Bicicleta; the legal change performed on February 2024 help cyclist to have a greater protection, at the same time this leads to others to use the sustainable mean of transport.
What were the changes?
Blanco details that, the main changes to regulations is the inclusion of cyclist & bike lane as an official road infrastructure.
In this way, it will allow to apply more severe sanctions when a motorist invades or obstructs the bike path. In the same category is expected to apply more severe penalties in case of a cyclist results injured.
The activist details the establishment of a fine system linked to the Unidad de Medida Actualizada (UMA) (Updated Unit of Measure). For that, is expected that greater fines help to reduce or be aware about these accidents.
The important extension of bike ways
Despite this, the social activist thinks that is necessary to have a greater extension of bike ways in the capital. Its an achievement the recognition of bike lanes in law, its important to have a bigger connectivity and devices that guarantee safety to users.
Specifically, sustained the importance of join east and west bike ways through a shared lane in the center avenue where bikes and public transport circulate.
It also emphasized that the shared bus-bike lane has special speed bumps to guarantee safety to most vulnerable users.
These speed bumps are different to additional bumps. Vehicles must center the wheels on them to avoid damages and reduce speed, creating a safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians”, explained Blanco to the journal Cuarto Poder.
The increase of cyclists requires a correct infrastructure
In Blanco words, from pandemic by COVID-19, the number of cyclists has increased significantly. Thus, you can see greater presence of them in streets.
During this period, implemented different emerging bike ways as an option of mobility to public transportation. Some installations of these projects were permanently, as the great bike way of insurgentes in Mexico City.
For that, activist comments that by having more bikes on streets, is also necessary the presence and expansion of a better cycling infrastructure. This not only guarantees the safety of users of this transport, but foster to others to use bike, by having separated bike lanes, providing a greater safety sensation.
In addition, highlighted that these exclusive lanes also benefit drivers of electric scooters, skates, and pedestrians, developing to an active mobility.
Finally, the president of Oficina de la Bicicleta recognized the work with the city hall and different civil organizations, who since 10 years ago have achieved bike lanes in Chiapas be an effective option of sustainable mobility to benefit society.
What the speed bumps are?
Traffic devices that as their name indicates, have the mission of motorists reduce their speed at certain zones. Also called sped bumps and most of them are made of concrete.
However, exist other types of speed bumps manufactured in polyethylene, which can add led technology and have different benefits. For that, these are most friendly with different vehicles.
Set on bike lanes or shared lanes that help cyclists to reduce speed in pedestrian crossings. In this way, all the pedestrians can circulate safely.
