Paraná will have a policy to encourage cycling.
The program will be developed in partnership with cycling activists, universities, and government agencies with the goal of guiding municipalities in Paraná that are interested in joining the initiative. Governor Beto Richa sanctioned Law 17.385/12, which officially designates September as "Bicycle Month in Paraná," creating a calendar of educational activities promoted by the public sector, private initiative, and society in general.
Paraná News Agency - The Secretariat of Environment and Water Resources will begin developing a state policy to encourage the use of bicycles, called "Ciclo Paraná" (Cycle Paraná). The program will be developed in partnership with cycling activists, universities, and government agencies with the goal of guiding municipalities in Paraná that are interested in joining the initiative.
The Secretary of the Environment of Paraná, Luiz Eduardo Cheida, explains that the choice for less polluting and more sustainable means of transportation is part of the Paraná State Government's environmental policy and its Green Agenda, positively impacting actions that are already underway. "Especially with regard to reducing climate change, which is also caused by excessive vehicular pollution," Cheida warns.
The secretary explains that to put the Program into practice, the idea is to join forces with Sanepar, which already develops an action in Maringá in this regard, with the Secretariat of Urban Development - responsible for mobility projects - the Department of Transit of Paraná (Detran/PR), the Department of Roads (DER), the Secretariat of Science, Technology and Higher Education and other government agencies.
"It's a proposal that brings people together and benefits the environment, cities, public health, and can even generate savings for municipalities," Cheida emphasizes.
This Thursday (15), the Director-General of the Environment Secretariat, Caetano de Paula Júnior, received representatives from the Paraná Cycling Federation, the Alto Iguaçu Cyclists Association (CicloIguaçu) - a pioneer in actions to defend the bicycle as an alternative and sustainable mode of transport - the Ciclo Vida Program and Musicletada, a Curitiba festival that brings together music, art, the environment and encouragement of bicycle use.
AXES - During the meeting, action axes of the state program were discussed, which foresees the creation of municipal cycle tourism routes in Paraná - with specific signage for cyclists, the installation of bicycle racks in State Secretariats, educational campaigns on traffic and the environment, debates on the Municipal Plan to Support Bicycles, campaigns to encourage carpooling, and also the creation of a department to support non-motorized mobility.
"In addition, the group seeks to expand proposals for the creation of new bike paths in the state and the connection of existing bike paths, based on an urban development project for cities in the coming decades," explains Caetano de Paula Júnior. He points out that one of the biggest challenges for public administrators is increasing the efficiency of public transportation.
"We need to think about the growth of cities, including the interior, and Ciclo Paraná will have a focus on sustainability and urban mobility," Caetano emphasizes. He points out that all suggestions will be taken to the Secretariat of Urban Development in the coming days.
MODEL - To expand discussions in different regions, the Ciclo Paraná Program envisions the creation of urban mobility hubs, with an emphasis on bicycle use, at state universities.
The coordinator of the Ciclovida Program at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) and vice-president of the Paraná Cycling Federation, José Carlos Belotto, says that around 40 students, professors, and staff are already part of the Program at the University.
"We have managed to develop extension and research projects focused on bicycles in the courses of Psychology, Architecture and Urbanism, Physical Education, Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Social Communication, Design, Law and Production Engineering," lists Belotto. Currently, Ciclo Vida is producing a study to integrate all UFPR campuses through bike paths.
Among other results of the Program are the publication "Cycling in Cities" - which includes a simulator of the benefits of switching from a car to a bicycle - and the Intermodal Challenge, held in 2012 to determine the most efficient means of transportation for crossing the city during rush hour.
The president of the Alto Iguaçu Cyclists Association (CicloIguaçu), Jorge Brand, spoke about the importance of the union between government and society in pursuit of a larger project. "The main objective is to make the bicycle a vector for social and urban transformation," he said.
It's the law - September is "Bicycle Month in Paraná". Governor Beto Richa sanctioned Law 17.385/12, which officially establishes the date and creates a calendar in September with educational activities promoted by the public sector, private initiative, and society in general.
With the creation of the Law, several activities were planned, such as the Ciclocine (a film festival), cycling tours, art and bicycle exhibitions, lectures, theatrical performances, and Musicletada - a festival that brings together music, culture, gastronomy, and mobility.
For the 2013 edition, held on September 21st, World Car-Free Day, environmental awareness campaigns will also be promoted under the coordination of the State Secretariat for the Environment. The event is expected to gather 60 people in Nossa Senhora da Salete Square, in Curitiba.