Coronavirus: NGO cyclists in Conte, mobility is sustainable

The main cycling associations and some environmental NGOs have written an open letter to Prime Minister Conte and Vittorio Colao to propose a package of measures to encourage sustainable mobility in phase 2 of the coronavirus emergency. The aim is to prevent people from taking the car en masse, since access to public transport will be limited due to the risk of infection.

The associations propose at the first point the construction of infrastructures for pedestrian and cycle mobility: cycle paths, double-ways for bikes, intermodality with public transport. At the second point, the cyclists ask for "the introduction, already from the next 'April decree', of strong economic incentives and funding for the enhancement of sustainable mobility". Therefore, the maintenance of measures such as the ZTL, the regulated parking, the preferential lanes ".

At the fourth point, the NGOs ask for" the promotion of smart working, the differentiation of business hours and offices, and home delivery systems, favoring and encouraging those on bicycles and cargo-bikes ".

Fifth point of the package, the "recognition, promotion and financing of active mobility (pedestrian and cycling) as a resilient urban mode of transport". The cycling associations then propose "the establishment of a technical-scientific working group that coordinates and harmonizes the measures referred to in the previous points throughout the country. Finally," national information campaigns to stimulate life styles based on forms are asked of active mobility, indispensable for keeping healthy and recovering fitness. "

The appeal was signed among others by Fiab, Salvaiciclisti, Legambiente, Bikeitalia, Kyoto Club and Fridays For Future. In addition to Prime Minister Conte, the document was sent to the president of the task force for phase 2, Vittorio Colao, to commissioners Angelo Borrelli and Domenico Arcuri, to the ministers of Infrastructures, Paola De Micheli, of Health, Roberto Speranza and of the Interior, Luciana Lamorgese, as well as to the president of the Conference of the governors, Stefano Bonaccini, and the president of the Anci, Antonio Decaro.