MESSINA – Fiab Messina Ciclabile calls together the urban cyclists of Messina for a ride in the city center on the morning of Monday 3 June. The rally will be at the southern entrance of Villa Dante, Provincial side at 10.15am. From there, the caravan will move towards Viale San Martino to cross the entire city center, largely along the cycle paths of Via Tommaso Cannizzaro, Corso Cavour and Via Garibaldi. The return to the starting point is expected around midday.
Free and open to all
“It is a way, our way – declares the president Fabrizio Murè – to celebrate the anniversary of the Madonna della Lettera, patron saint of our city, but also to celebrate World Bicycle Day, which is celebrated on 3 June every year. year, a coincidence that we really like.” The ride is free, open to all and accessible to anyone with even the slightest habit of riding. No races, and no significant elevation gain. To participate, simply show up at the South entrance of Villa Dante with a bike in correct working order. “The idea – adds Murè – is to reiterate that despite clichés, Messina is a city that can be explored by bike, especially in the central area, which is largely flat. It will also be an opportunity to insist on the issue of safety and respect for the rules. We believe that cycle paths are a tool to allow those who want it to choose an ecological and healthy form of urban mobility. But we must always remember that the highway code also applies to cyclists.”
Increasing use
In the absence of official data, it is difficult to estimate how many people from Messina currently use bicycles in their daily lives. “But the trend – explains Giuseppe Saija, secretary of Fiab Messina Ciclabile – is increasing, in Messina as elsewhere. We meet more and more people who opt for the bike. The reasons are different: the speed of moving on short journeys, saving money, given the increases in fuel costs in recent years, or even simply the desire to do a bit of physical activity. The situation in the city? It has certainly changed in the last year, and from our perspective for the better. But we are still far from an optimal situation and the cycle provision is very modest compared to that of other Italian cities. On the security front there is still a lot to do. Viale della Libertà is an example. Intense traffic, high speeds, cars in double rows, especially near the ferry boarding points. The double row represents a dangerous situation for those who cycle, because it “throws” the cyclist into the overtaking lane, increasing the risk of collision with vehicles going at much higher speeds”. The ride on June 3rd will serve to raise interest in this too. But in an atmosphere of double celebration, for the city, and for the bike.
