A Zapopan bike route has gained infamy as a “path of terror” because Zapopan government refuses to perform much needed maintenance work.
The lack of markings or clear signs on the pathway on Avenida Inglaterra puts cyclists at constant risk. The path, which is over four kilometers long, has markings that are so faded as to barely be visible. Traffic tends to ignore the fact that the path is for bikes only and there are countless potholes along the route. Such is the state of the path that local residents decided to club together to improve it in 2014, after the Zapopan government refused to react to the problem. “We gathered citizens together to do some maintenance work to improve security,” said Enrique Torres of the University Network for Mobility (Rum). “We repainted the signs and we cleaned it. We even wanted to segregate the path with cement bollards, but it’s very complicated if you don’t have the correct machinery.” The activist called for local government to finally respond to the problem.
Bike-safe sewer covers
To prevent accidents, Zapopan’s transport secretary has plans to change at least 200 manhole covers. The new covers will have gridded surfaces and will not pose a danger to pedestrians or cyclists.
The activist organization Civil City for All is collaborating on the project. According to Jesus Carlos Soto Morfin, a representative of the organization, the idea is to start with 50 grids and reach 200 with an investment of 3 million pesos (US$174,000).