The cycling community is demanding safer infrastructure and conditions, not only for those on two wheels, but also for pedestrians and other vulnerable categories of road users. A demonstration for this purpose will take place on Saturday in the center of the capital.
Ana Popa, from Alianța Biciclete Chișinău, told a press conference on Friday that a list of demands was prepared for the authorities that could improve the situation. “Whether you are performance-oriented cyclist in training, or have an active and healthy lifestyle and go for a bike ride on the weekend, or you commute to work or school or college, or you’re just crossing the street, your life is constantly put in danger”, says the activist.
“David is already out of intensive care, he’s now somewhat better and seeing a therapist (...) but I can’t say that my boy will come out of this completely healed”, said Iana Cozma-Melnic, the mother of a junior cyclist who last week survived a terrible accident caused by a hurried driver. His close friend and training mate, the national champion Valerian Railean, died in hospital.
“The kids were following traffic rules and they were wearing appropriate kits”, says Iana Cozma-Melnic. According to her, there are fears that the driver in question, who is now in pre-trial detention, wants to flee the country. The woman asks the judiciary and the media to keep an eye on this case so that the man receives his punishment, recalling that the fatal incident occurred after an illegal maneuver. “I also drive a car. When we are out driving, we have to balance our haste with the lives of other people (...) The 3-5 minutes saved in traffic can cost lives”, urged the woman.
According to Ana Popa, the authorities must promote the “pyramid of responsibility” concept in schools, but also among seasoned drivers. “Everyone of us must be responsible in traffic. But the responsibility pyramid explains the different degree of responsibility that different traffic participants bear. It’s for a reason that pedestrians and cyclists are considered vulnerable traffic participants in the Moldovan legislation. They are the most likely to die, to be seriously injured, regardless of whether they wear a helmet and a reflective vest”, added Ana Popa.
Architect Vlad Melic says that a fair society must be built so that the most vulnerable feel as comfortable and safe as possible. Modern societies, he continues his argument, have understood that the average speed of automobiles in the city is around 20 km/h at best, a speed comparable to that of bikes. So, if the speed limit for cars in the city were to be reduced, travel times would basically remain the same, but lives would be saved.
“The General Mobilization” of alternative transport and pedestrians will take place on March 4 in the square of the Gheorghe Asachi Lyceum in Chisinau, starting at 1:00 p.m. The demonstration will begin with the installation of a monument in memory of Valerian Railean and of all cyclists who lost their lives in road accidents, followed by a march on bicycles and other wheels around the city.
