Pedestrians and Cyclists Heaved a Breath of Relief in Fontes Pereira de Melo: Step Back from the Wrong Project

Everyone who uses Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo knows very well; At points where bus stops are located, there is always tension and corner-grabbing between passengers and cyclists. The Lisbon Municipality wanted to take action on this situation, but the plan it put forward was likely to exacerbate the chaos rather than solving the problem. Fortunately, after the reactions and the tender process, the expected news came: The project was completely shelved.

The first plan of the municipality; The aim was to narrow the existing bicycle path and pavement and squeeze pedestrians and cyclists into a single common lane in that limited area. In fact, they wanted to try a formula that would bring the two sides closer together and invite accidents. Moreover, this was a design that was completely contrary to the Public Space Guide and bicycle network recommendations prepared by the municipality itself.

No bid was received for the tender, the project was cancelled.

When LPP brought the issue to the agenda and public debates grew, the Municipal Council (CML) took a step back. Stating that no company submitted a bid for the public tender opened through EMEL, the municipality officially confirmed that the project would not be implemented. They also clarified the issue of tree cutting in the first reports, stating that the tree cutting statement in the report was from an old document that had not been updated and that no trees would be cut in the final plan.

The solution is not to mix, but to organize

MUBi (Bicycle Transport Association) and city planners also point out a valid point with this decision: The intersection of bus stops and the bicycle path is of course not ideal, but the solution cannot be to cram both sides into the same narrow area. This uncertainty is much more dangerous, especially for visually impaired citizens or the elderly.

What needs to be done is actually very simple; Adding physical speed breakers to the bicycle path, increasing warning ground markings when approaching bus stops, and making arrangements where both parties can see each other clearly.

Ultimately, reality on the ground did not match the drawings on paper, and common sense won out for now. We continue to pay attention to the stops while cycling in Fontes Pereira de Melo, but at least for now we are not out of the space we have.

Source: Lisboa Para Pessoas (LPP) / Mario Rui André

Image Source: Francisco Romão Pereira / LPP