TERAMO – The thirteenth edition of the Bicipattinata Adriatica has concluded, an event created fourteen years ago by a group of cycling mobility enthusiasts to bring the issues relating to cycling mobility to the attention of the institutions. Hundreds of cyclists and pedalers attended even though, due to bad weather, many only covered a section of the proposed itinerary, preferring to go back by train or by the same means, also for safety reasons. The reception, in Roseto, however saw dozens of cyclists and skaters, welcomed by the mayor Mario Nugnes, partying in the pouring rain which didn’t dampen the enthusiasm. The bicycle ride, like every year, took note of the many progress made towards the completion of the Marche-Abruzzo section of the Adriatica Cycle Route, however encountering quite a few critical issues.
“Path – underlines FIAB – it is not yet suitable for everyone, with large sections inaccessible to skaters and some types of bicycles, due to the dirt surface. We are talking, for example, about the cycle path in the Borsacchio reserve, the stretch in front of the Cerrano Tower and the path that connects the bridge over the Vomano to the Scerne cycle path. Furthermore, there is a lack of services for cyclists and the few equipped pitches, such as those created near the cycle-pedestrian bridge over the Vomano, are embarrassing due to the way they were designed and created”. Even the maintenance of some sections and the design choices have created quite a few problems for cyclists and skaters such as “The colored surface in some areas, in case of rain, is slimy and encourages falls, and there are points where the roots of the trees have created bumps and depressions”.
There is no shortage of excellence, such as the wide cycle lanes of Tortoreto, Alba Adriatica and part of Giulianova and Pineto, clearly distinct from the pedestrian paths, while in other areas the promiscuity with pedestrians, which increases in summer, makes it almost impossible to use some periods. “He stays, though – declares FIAB Teramo president Gianni By Francesco – there is still a lot to do, as the Adriatica cycle route, in the Abruzzo stretch, still has several interruptions and critical issues, and is not practicable for all users on bikes or on skates, as it often has an unsuitable surface or inadequate dimensions. Furthermore, at a regional level, there is a lack of a clear strategy on cycling mobility”.
“In general it is noticeable – continues FIAB – a lack of coordination in the implementation of the work, absence of signs and services dedicated to cyclists, little attention to the full accessibility of the routes, and it is necessary that the entire route is reviewed with a view to uniformity, upwards , of the parameters foreseen for the ‘Cycle routes of national importance, such as the Adriatica Cycle Route’. Many lights, therefore, and some shadows, on an infrastructure that would like to be a flagship for the Abruzzo Region, but which still needs improvement and a change of mentality that leads to considering strategic cycle routes for our cities ”.
“Thanks are due to those who collaborated, to the many volunteers from the numerous associations who supported us, to the local police and to the municipalities we passed through, in particular that of Rosego which welcomed us. The appointment is next year, hoping to find a perfect route and the bridge over the Tronto finally built”concludes FIAB.
