Dilma demands bike lanes from city governments.
The federal government, which has already distributed 30 bicycles to students in the public school system, is demanding that municipal administrations provide safe routes for cyclists.
247 – The federal government has already donated 30 bicycles and helmets this year to students in the public school system in 81 municipalities, and will deliver another 70 by December to a total of 300 cities. The government wants the recipients to have access to adequate and safe routes for cycling. On Monday, President Dilma Rousseff, in her weekly radio program "Coffee with the President," urged mayors to build bike paths. The head of the Executive branch dreams of creating a "cycling culture in the country."
“It’s a means of transportation that doesn’t pollute and also allows for physical activity. Going to school by bicycle is a healthy activity. Now, it has to be safe,” he said. “If the municipalities adopt this practice, building bike lanes, I’m sure we’ll see many more bicycles circulating on the streets, and not just government bikes,” he added.
Regarding the commitment to build 138 daycare centers and 454 school sports courts this year, announced in conjunction with the donation of bicycles, Dilma assessed that, for the country to make a leap in the quality of education, it is necessary to improve the infrastructure of schools. "This includes offering good conditions for our students to attend school," she explained.
The construction of daycare centers in 83 municipalities represents a total investment of R$ 154,3 million. Meanwhile, the sports courts will benefit 249 municipalities and are budgeted at R$ 216,9 million. The structures will be built with resources from the Growth Acceleration Program 2 (PAC 2), and the initiative is part of the National Program for Restructuring and Acquiring Equipment for the Public School Network of Early Childhood Education (Proinfância).