At the beginning of August, the City Council of Rio de Janeiro approved a bill (PL) that prohibits the circulation of motorized, electric or combustion vehicles on all bike paths and sidewalks. The measure generated debate in society and Mayor Eduardo Paes (PSD) signaled that he intends to veto the text.
According to the project, disengaged from 2021 with few changes, a fine of R$ 1,000 will be applied to those who use motor vehicles on the indicated routes. In case of recurrence, the amount will be doubled. The PL authored by councilors Dr. Gilberto (Solidariedade), Marcos Paulo (PSOL), Felipe Michel (Progressives), João Mendes de Jesus (Republicans) and Marcos Braz (PL) was criticized by entities such as the Cycling Safety Commission of Rio de Janeiro, which sees it as a “hijacking” of existing rules in the country.
“The previous resolutions of Contran itself (Conselho Nacional de Trânsito), from last year, provided that moped drivers would have to have the Authorization to Drive Mopeds (ACC) that should be issued by the Detrans. that reach 70km/h, so that on a bike path, on a bike lane, on a shared lane, on a sidewalk is reckless. This was already regulated”, explains one of the managers of the Rio de Janeiro Cycling Safety Commission, Vivi Zampieri.
According to the cyclist, who works in the formulation of public policies aimed at active mobility, there is a lack of investment in inspection by the State Departments of Transit (Detrans) and also of greater control in the commercialization of mopeds, which are vehicles without pedals and with a floor. between the seat and the handlebars.
“We held a symposium calling all authorities to discuss the sale of mopeds, because they are selling as if they were equipment, like a ‘mouse’ in the Central Building, there are several stores selling. But how is the license for these stores? can they sell vehicles? Is there a Renavam (National Register of Motor Vehicles) for these vehicles? The problem starts with the sale”, criticizes Zampieri.
For the Commission, the PL approved is inefficient and shallow because it disregards central elements such as road safety education and training of traffic agents.
“We defend the total veto of this PL because it does not foresee what we need: educational campaigns. Do you know how we believe that certain things work? How it worked with a seat belt. Campaigns showing what was happening, presenting data. And then after all this, came the infractions”, he details.
Prohibition
On the last August 9th, the municipality of Niterói, in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, determined a ban on the circulation of mopeds on bike paths, bike lanes and shared sidewalks in the city.
The measure is based on Resolution 996/2023, of the National Traffic Council (Contran), which establishes the differences between a series of mobility equipment that have been emerging in recent times, such as mopeds, self-propelled vehicles, electric bicycles, in addition to motorcycles. and scooters.
Read more: Niterói (RJ) will have a bicycle sharing system
Unlike Rio de Janeiro, Niterói is going to institute a training schedule for operators and regulation by the city’s transit authorities, in addition to awareness campaigns for the population and commerce in general. As of 180 days from the start date of the educational work, the inspection will effectively begin.
“We are producing educational signs that will be permanently placed on the bike lanes with a variety of messages, including respect for traffic lights, pedestrians and the prohibition of mopeds. Another innovation that the decree brings is the possibility of fines for those who do not have a traffic license. The fines can be made through the CPF and we will also regulate this dynamic through the Municipal Attorney’s Office”, explained Filipe Simões, coordinator of the Niterói de Bicicleta, city hall body responsible for promoting bicycle culture in the city.
“Niterói is promoting road safety education, something very important. We think the project is a model, as it provides a deadline for road safety education, not just for users, but for the population as a whole, in addition to training traffic agents, which is paramount”, highlights Zampieri who, together with the Union of Cyclists of Brazil (UCB), helped the municipality in the implementation of the new norm.
Source: BdF Rio de Janeiro
Editing: Mariana Pitasse
