Environment/Nature | October 18, 2010 [ 16:59 ]
Peru declares bike transportation a national priority
By Mario Sandoval
LivinginPeru.com
Bikers at Lima’s Arequipa Avenue (Photo: Andina)
Last week, Peru’s Congress passed a law declaring of bicycle transportation a “national interest.”
Declaring bicycling a “sustainable, safe, popular, ecological, economical and healthy” means of transportation, the policy gives priority to strong legislation to promote and disseminate cycling.
“The government encourages and promotes the use of bicycles at all levels of government, provides road safety conditions for the use of this mode of transport and must report on the implementation of the law on an annual basis to the public,” reads the new law. “The government will also encourage the construction of infrastructure to facilitate the use and parking of bicycles as an alternative means of transport.”
The passage of the new policy in Peru shows that biking is gaining popularity with policymakers and the public, showing a formal commitment for streets and public spaces designed for people and not simply private cars. The country declared Sept. 22 as a National Day Without Cars, in line with the global World Carfree Day movement.
To read the whole story, visit here: http://www.livinginperu.com/news-13361-sports-peru-declares-biking-national-priority
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