When danger runs by bicycle

Some ride against traffic and those who use a mobile phone. Some dart on the sidewalks playing to the pedestrians who are in trajectory and others, in the evening, they turn to the lights off and without a reflective jacket. Like a "little Beijing", Parma has to deal with an ever-increasing number of unruly cyclists, who are dangerous for pedestrians and their safety. Although most people who travel by bicycle do so respecting the rules, that of rudeness and poor compliance with the highway code is a problem that needs answers. A clear demonstration is what happened in recent days in Oltretorrente, where a man lost his life after being run over by a bike while crossing the street on the pedestrian crossing.

To realize that there is no lack of unruly cyclists in the city, it is enough to take a "tour" through the streets of the center and of the Oltretorrente and look around carefully.

The same problems and transgressions, as far as electric bikes are concerned, to which electric scooters have recently been added, more and more even if officially their circulation in the city is not yet allowed. If, on the one hand, it is undeniable that in recent years the technology has facilitated the movement on two wheels, on the other the improper use of these means creates serious dangers for pedestrians, as well as for the cyclists themselves. Especially along the avenues and the most important streets of the center, it is easy to see cyclists hurtling at high speed - starting with the «riders», the new pony express delivering food on their bikes - which are dangerously close to pedestrians, in addition to zigzagging between buses and taxis at intersections. There is also a recurrence of the "vice" of getting on sidewalks and pedaling against traffic, especially between the narrow villages of the center and the roads of the Oltretorrente.

In some avenues also, for example, Viale Vittoria, the cycle and footpaths have become real "highways" for drug dealers, who travel by bicycle at any time of day or night to escape the "orders" of drugs more quickly and try to escape the controls of the police more easily.

Not only. In most cases, the bikes on which they move - as well as those of many other Parmesans - do not comply with the provisions of the Highway Code. Malfunctioning brakes, no bell, let alone lights and reflective vest. A real danger for pedestrians and even motorists, especially in the evening and at night.

However, the most recurrent dangerous behavior that affects many cyclists is to talk on the phone or listen to music on headphones while pedaling down the street. In this sense, young people are a negative example, but there are plenty of adults who drive their bikes with one hand to be able to answer the phone or, even worse, send messages. A particularly critical moment, especially when the weather is fine, is leaving school. Especially in the vicinity of higher education institutions, there is no lack of students who "fly" on pedals heading home, competing with their peers. The most daring, or unconscious, challenge each other by crossing crossroads and pedestrians with great recklessness. Furthermore, almost no one gets off their bicycle while crossing the pedestrian crossing, crossing the road. The same goes for the helmet, a real stranger for most cyclists who travel far and wide around the city.