Cyclists often advocate for safer roads through more bike lanes, improved cycling infrastructure, and greater respect from motorists. At the same time, personal safety measures remain essential. Weraring a reflective vest and helmet can play an important role in cyclist protection, yet many riders still do not follow these safety practices.
Helmet and reflective vest use are essential safety practices for cyclists. In addition, helmets help reduce the risk of head injuries during impacts or falls, and reflective vests increase cyclist visibility on the road, especially during nighttime rides.
Even though helmets and reflective vests are currently optional, authorities in Nuevo León, Mexico, are considering making reflective vest use a requirement for cyclists to improve road safety.
The proposed amendment to the Sustainable Mobility, Accessibility, and Road Safety Law seeks to improve cyclist and motorcyclist safety by requiring a garment that makes riders easier to identify. According to the initiative, the reflective vest must include at least 20% reflective material.
“My proposal establishes that people who ride bicycles, motorcycles, or similar vehicles for delivery services or commercial activities must wear a vest or jacket containing at least 20% reflective material, including coverage on the arms and legs,” Cantú explained.
Do Cyclists Really Need to Wear a Reflective Vest?
It is important to mention that, according to Cantú, this measure is mainly aimed at delivery cyclists and motorcyclists. This comes after accidents involving these two groups have increased due to the growing use of food and package delivery apps.
However, the initiative also seeks to reduce road accidents in general. With this action, authorities expect to decrease collisions involving cyclists and motorcyclists.
Regarding cyclist safety in Nuevo León, official data shows a total of 184 cyclist fatalities recorded between 1997 and 2024. According to the Ruta Segura report by the Nuevo León Council for Strategic Planning, 39% of these deaths occurred during morning hours. Furthermore, Monterrey, Guadalupe, and Apodaca concentrated 54.5% of cyclist fatalities reported in the state.
Although most cyclist accidents in Nuevo León occur during daylight hours, reflective vest use remains an important safety measure. According to the same study, the risk of severe injuries increases by up to 71.7% during nighttime cycling conditions, highlighting the importance of visibility for cyclists on the road.
Bicycle Use in Nuevo León: How Popular Is Cycling in the State?
Cycling in Nuevo León is growing, with more residents choosing bicycles for daily transportation. Data from the Así Vamos 2022 survey by Cómo Vamos Nuevo León showed that bicycle use reached 10.9% among the population. A year later, the number increased to 15.7%, highlighting the rising role of bicycles in urban mobility.
Cycling in Nuevo León continues to gain relevance, with General Escobedo standing out as the municipality with the highest bicycle participation at 26.1%. Furthermore, the Monterrey Metropolitan Area reported a 15.7% bicycle use rate, highlighting the increasing role of bikes in sustainable transportation.
