Dnipropetrovsk cyclists are tired of numerous and everlasting promises from local authorities about providing appropriate cycling infrustructure throughout the city…
So, they decided to make up a bicycle path for themselves. They chose the boulevard at the main city avenue (Karl Marx ave., yes still soviet period names exist…), where enough space for both pedestrians and cyclists is provided and no danger from cars for young and little cyclists takes place.
The area to make (actually to draw) the bicycle path was chosen just in front of the City Administration, so the Mayor and his clerks would see the bicycle path every day from their windows, which will remind them about their uncompleted promises…
The date chosen for such a Flash Mob is also symbolic: the Constitution Day, as a day of citizens rights Document, which also guarantees the right for equal, free and safe mobility! Still, the goverment and local authorities don’t seem to be eager to implement these rights in real life…
The Friends of the Earth Ukraine/Zeleny Svit youth coordinator, Yuriy Lozovenko, helped the cyclists out to make the bicycle path according to all European standarts: the one way path (there are 2 of them both directions) is 1.75 m wide providing safe riding for 2 bikes together, the icons of the bicycle sign include the direction arrow, so no one will ride against the main flow, the icons of the pedestrian sign are put just aside to mark the pedestrian space to move. Besides, at the street crossings, where the bike paths cross the perpendicular sidewalks, the “pedestrian crossing” and “give the way” signs are placed, so everything will look evident and will not provoque any conflicts among cyclists and pedestrians.
Just in front of the City Administration the message on the bike path says: “Mr Mayor! Where are the bike paths???”
