City government launches 'Bike Community' on World Car-Free Day

Bahia 247 - Next Monday (22) marks World Car-Free Day and the date coincides with the one-year anniversary of the Salvador Vai de Bike Movement, developed by the Salvador City Hall to encourage the use of bicycles as an alternative and sustainable means of transport. Actions of the movement range from the bike-sharing program, which already has more than 102 registered users and 40 stations spread across the city, to guaranteeing infrastructure, with the implementation of cycle paths, and raising awareness about the importance of harmony in traffic between drivers and cyclists.

A new initiative launched by the City Hall on World Car-Free Day is the creation of the pioneering 'Bike Community' project, which will provide free utility bicycles for public use, as well as cargo bikes for people with disabilities and a bicycle parking facility with spaces available for the public. The City Hall is seeking private sector partners to set up the first Bike Community station, the location of which is yet to be determined.

The Bike Community will be a brick-and-mortar bike-sharing station with 27 utility bikes equipped with rear racks and front baskets, three special bikes for heavy cargo, and one tricycle for wheelchair users. This station will also have an outdoor social area and a fully equipped mini-workshop for repairing community bikes. Access to the bikes, including cargo bikes, as well as the mini-workshop and the bike parking area (with 15 open parking spaces) will be free. Registration will require presentation of an identification document and a utility bill.

Car from outside

Secretary of the Municipal Office of Special Projects and coordinator of the Salvador by Bike Movement, Isaac Edington, stated that since the project's launch, the increasing number of people using bicycles as an alternative means of transportation, dispensing with the use of cars and other vehicles, has been noticeable. "As of Friday morning, we already have over 336 trips recorded in the Salvador Goes by Bike program, which has Itaú bank as a partner," he revealed.

He emphasizes that the constant expansion of the number of ride-sharing stations has been fundamental to the success of the movement.
Today there are already 40 stations in various locations, including the city center. The newest ones are located on Avenida Adhemar de Barros (near UFBA), in Ondina, and on Avenida Luiz Tarquínio and Rua da Imperatriz, in Itapagipe. "The most interesting thing is that people are already using bicycles not only for leisure, but also for studying, working, and shopping."

Cycling routes

The project has also made progress in the area of ​​infrastructure. The goal is for Salvador to have 356 km of cycle paths by 2016. Currently, cyclists already have 50 km to use, more than twice the 20 km that existed at the beginning of 2013. The proposal is to create more cycle paths, cycle routes and cycle lanes. Another important aspect of the Salvador Goes by Bike Movement is promoting harmony in the relationship between drivers and cyclists.

The secretary points out that the Brazilian Traffic Code has extensive legislation regarding the rights and duties of cyclists. "We have to dispel many myths. One of them is that cyclists cannot ride on roads with cars. This is incorrect. Bicycles have every right to ride on the streets just like cars and motorcycles. The legislation also makes it clear that larger vehicles have an obligation to protect smaller ones. For example, tailgating a bicycle is considered a very serious offense. The driver can even lose their driver's license."

Awareness efforts are being carried out through a multi-platform campaign that utilizes leaflets, billboards, newspapers, TV and radio, as well as the internet. Also aimed at improving traffic relations, the City Hall and the Salvador Passenger Transport Companies Union (Setps) have partnered to promote a workshop for bus drivers, which is already underway.