Cyclist traps are beginning to appear on bike paths and roads.
The animosity towards those of us who practice cycling has come to the fore again. As if we did not have enough with the traps in the mountains, sadly famous for years, now it is the turn of the bike paths and roads, as we have learned in recent days, specifically, through an event that occurred in the Community of Madrid.
What do they want? Obviously, hurt. What we are not clear about is whether the individuals who engage in these practices are really aware of the accidents caused and the subsequent consequences they may have. Over the last few years we have all seen the wounds caused to the necks of numerous bikers who have come across cables or barbed wires while pedaling through the mountains. Have you not thought that in the future one of those bikers could it be your son?
And it seems that the 'fashion' of traps is now moving to roads and cycle paths frequented especially by road cyclists. This has recently happened on a well-known bike path in the south of the Region of Madrid. Bicycle lane, by the way, completely segregated from motor vehicle traffic. That is to say, by driving around we do not 'bother' anyone, which does not seem to be an impediment to sticking a row of nails on the ground at various strategic points along the route, which is difficult to avoid and dangerous if you drive in a group.
Not to mention the more and more frequent broken bottles and scattered glass, coincidentally, at access points to the so-called Green Cycling Ring that surrounds the capital and, be careful, it is not only traveled by 'lycra fans' like us, but also by families and children, especially on weekends, with the danger that this entails. A circumstance that seems to have no place in the 'thinking' heads that perpetrate these occurrences, so to speak.
What is clear is that With the increase in the practice of cycling in recent years, whether mountain, road or urban, hatred towards cyclists from certain sectors of society has also grown.. They justify themselves by saying that we destroy the trails, that we do not travel well on the road or that we do not respect the rules of traffic in the city... behaviors that, in fact, can be found within the cyclist group and that are totally reprehensible and reportable. But this does not justify, in any case, that they try to finish us off through the fast track. It's as if we decided to sabotage the neighbor's car who regularly skips a stop sign or doesn't respect zebra crossings... it would be disproportionate, wouldn't it?
In short, it is a conflict that is difficult to resolve and requires, first of all, reporting the facts to the competent authorities. But, above all, for a long process of awareness and education, at all levels, that manages to banish the idea that public roads are the exclusive property of motor vehicles. Last but not least, respect and empathy. Putting yourself in someone else's shoes, as in all situations in life, helps a lot.
Author: Víctor Marcos, Communication and RRSS Bikefriendly
Images: Todomountainbike.net, José Luis Vega, @xavierMTB
