A report from UN Environment warns that investment in infrastructure is needed to save pedestrians and cyclists’ lives in low-income countries.
According to this document, called Global Outlook on Walking and Cycling, the lack of investment in safe infrastructure contributes to millions of people’s death.
The document is based on the study in 20 low-to middle-income countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Those sites, compared to high- income countries, reported more deaths in traffic accidents.
The document also emphasizes that around 1.3 million people die each year on the roads and almost half of them are pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Among the American countries included in the report there are: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico.
Until October 23rd, the traffic police recorded 65 pedestrians and 31 cyclists’ deaths. in Costa Rica.
In September, former legislators Antonio Álvarez, Julio Monge and Ronny Rojas presented a project that aims to include the recognition of non-motorized means of transportation in the Traffic Law on Public Roads and Road Safety.
In domestic territory, according to Andrés Calderón, one of the pioneers of BiciBus, the infrastructure that cyclists and citizens must deal with every day generates fear and it doesn’t allow the possibility of using alternative means of transport.
In addition, Ramón Pendones, founder and member of Aconvivir, was hard and declared that infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists is poor, bad. He stated that the solution must be comprehensive. The issue of mobility in cities should have a comprehensive response and he added that by only making sidewalks or bike paths, the problem will not be solved. There must be a state policy that places people first when building and designing cities.