Feb 24 • 13:00 UTC 🇪🇨 Ecuador El Universo (ES)

Public bike system without safe bike lanes: Quito's pending debt to cyclists

Quito's public bike system will return in 2026 after suspension, with an investment of $5.5 million and improved infrastructure.

After a suspension lasting over a year, Quito's public bike system is set to return in 2026, backed by a $5.5 million investment from the city municipality. The Secretary of Mobility, Álex Pérez, announced that the contract for operation has been awarded to the Consorcio Bicicletas Quito, with the system operational until 2029. The new system will feature 25 bike stations and 250 bicycles running from La Ofelia to Quitumbe, a significant upgrade from the previous setup in 2023, which only had six stations and 120 bikes available.

The increase in bike stations and bicycles indicates a strong push for sustainable urban transportation in Quito, with hopes to boost both the usage of the bike system and promote cycling as a viable commuting option among the local population. Previously, 1,700 residents were using the service daily, and this new configuration aims to improve access and frequency for more users. However, there are underlying concerns regarding the absence of adequate cycling infrastructure, as the current bike lanes are considered unsafe.

With the city's plans to enhance the public bike system implemented, residents and urban planners are calling for simultaneous investments in safe cycling routes to minimize accidents and encourage greater adoption of cycling. This represents not only a financial commitment to improve transportation in Quito but also highlights a growing awareness of the needs of cyclists within the city's urban planning initiatives.

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