“The dismantling of the bike lane is not just a campaign promise, but because there are ample reasons for it,” stated the newly elected social-democrat during a municipal executive meeting following the October 12 elections.
On November 9, the mayor announced on social media the removal of the existing bike lane on Avenida da República, a central artery in that municipality in the Porto district, prompting a precautionary measure by MUBi – Associação pela Mobilidade Urbana em Bicicleta, which calls for halting the dismantlement.
“I confess that in the many months I passed through Avenida da República, I never saw anyone riding a bicycle on the bike lane,” remarked Menezes during the discussion on rescinding the municipal traffic regulations on that avenue, a proposal approved despite opposition from the PS.
In his view, urban bike lanes should be considered with great caution.
Additionally, he noted, the specific bike lane was interrupted midway through Avenida da República, which he argues further justifies its removal.
Emphasizing his criticism, Luís Filipe Menezes stressed that the decision was well thought out.
“I am comfortable with this decision because as the president of the Porto Metropolitan Area, I was responsible for more cycling tracks than anyone else,” he highlighted.
The mayor maintained that dismantling the bike lane is legal and argued there is no need for restitution since it was not co-funded by the European Union, responding to inquiries from PS councilor João Paulo Correia.
The socialist also criticized the executive for reversing procedures by first dismantling the bike lane and later voting to annul the traffic regulations for that avenue in the executive meeting, recalling that its construction was approved in both a city council meeting and the municipal assembly.
“Do not do such a thing again,” urged João Paulo Correia.
In response, Luís Filipe Menezes expressed disbelief that the PS believes all traffic regulations must go through the municipal assembly.
