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Italy is the most dangerous country in the world for cyclists. According to the data presented by the International Transport Forum in 2018, Italy is the country with the highest mortality rate per kilometer pedaled. In Italy a cyclist dies every 35 hours. Road violence is the leading cause of death for people under 30 years old.
For these dramatic reasons ACCPI, the Italian Professional Cyclists Association, has launched an online petition via change.org with the support of Michele Scarponi’s family, who has fought for better road safety for cyclists and pedestrians since the tragic death of the Astana rider in April 2017 while he was training near his home for the Giro d'Italia, that calls on Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to improve road safety for cyclists.
#SiamoSullaStessaStrada: rendiamola sicura (literally #WeAreOnTheSameRoad: let's make it safe) is finally attracting the attention of politicians.
ACCPI is calling for more bike paths to be built as part of new road construction, the introduction of a minimum safe passing distance of 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists and better psychological, legislative and financial support for victims and their families.
«I ask you to work to ensure that Italian roads become safer, for my children, yours and anyone else's. We must overcome this challenge not only for those who use bicycles for work like me and my colleagues, but above all for young people, the elderly and anyone who has the right to ride safely and happily» says European Champion and ACCPI vicepresident Matteo Trentin in a video message to national and international authorities that can concretely change the status quo.
The initiative was well received by the Italian transport minister Danilo Toninelli and several Members of the European Parliament that the ACCPI representatives have met in recent days. The world of cycling now hopes that the beautiful words will turn into facts. Road safety is more urgent than ever.
Please sign the online petition on change.org/SiamoSullaStessaStrada.
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