05/31/2020 11:29 – Updated: 05/31/2020 11:35
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The number of traffic accidents in which they are involved bikes has increased by Madrid since Monday, with the arrival of phase 1, before the return of thousands of vehicles to the streets, which have to coexist with the increase in cyclists that the capital has welcomed since the start of the de-escalation process.
During the state of alarm for the coronavirus crisis, which began April 15, the incidents related to bikes have dropped dramatically, like the rest. Thus, while in February there were 54 accidents with bikes, in March there were 28 and in April only 6 (two frontal collisions, two lateral collisions and two falls). In April of last year, 48 claims, according to Madrid City Council statistics.
On the other hand, according to the first data, this trend is going to change in May, since the municipal rental BiciMAD and the scooters to the streets of Madrid. In addition, the number of bicycles on the streets has increased significantly both for leisure and work trips and by cyclists from delivery companies. And is that in this pandemic many Madrilenians are avoiding public transport and the ordering of food, clothing and objects of all kinds on the Internet has increased.
All of Spain will already be in phase 2 from June 1, except Madrid, BCN, Lleida and CyL
In Castilla y León, the region of El Bierzo does jump to phase 2. Formentera, La Gomera, La Graciosa and El Hierro now pass the third and last screen. 70% of the population will be in stage 2
Since this Monday, with the transition of the region to phase 1 of the de-escalation, the face-to-face business and work activity and that is noticeable on the streets. In this way, rush hour traffic has increased 12 percent in vehicle entries in cities in the region and 22% in exits, according to data from the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) compared to the previous Monday.
Increase in accidents
This situation has caused a rebound in the number of bicycle accidents involved. And the workers of the sustainable courier company such as Mensos, in which 50 cyclists work, attest to this.
As reported to Europa Press by his manager, Alejandro Corroto, last week they suffered two accidents, one of them in their own meat. It happened on Monday at 17:00 on Avenida Ciudad de Barcelona, at the height of Pacífico. He was traveling at the appropriate speed and through the center of the lane, as mark the regulation, when he was hit from behind by a vehicle, which devastated him and displaced him 10 meters, falling to the ground.
A Samur-Civil Protection ambulance arrived at the scene, whose health officials verified that Alexander He had abrasions to his leg and knee and a contusion to his coccyx and left buttock, injuries for which he is on leave. The Municipal Police also attended the incident, which carried out the breathalyser tests on the driver, resulting positive. “What bothered me most is that the first driver reaction it was getting closer and rebuking me, “complains the victim.
Corroto: “We are noticing more cars and they go faster through the city center, exceeding the limits”
Three days later, another worker from the same company was injured on a street in the Vallecas district. In one turn, a crane pulled the rider, who fell onto the roadway without being injured, fortunately. The injured person reproached the driver for not looking when turning and he tried to flee the place, although he was detained by several passers-by and later intercepted by the Municipal Police, who carried out the corresponding certificate.
“We are noticing more cars and they are going faster through the city center, pushing the limits. We see widespread nervousness among drivers, as if they want to make up for lost time. There is higher than normal anxiety in traffic. I have nothing broken thanks to the messenger bag I was wearing, the helmet and good luck. It is the problem of have three lane highways in the city center“Corroto has indicated.
Therefore, ask the City Council to calm traffic and make the city “friendlier” for bikes, with areas of 20 and 30 kilometers per hour of maximum speed and delimiting bike lanes. “Many people are noticing the freedom to ride a bicycle, to move to work or to their destinations with this sustainable environment. Let us not fall into the error that it is the private car that saves us the coronavirus“he concludes.
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