The holding of Velo-city, the world's largest conference on bicycle mobility, in Lisbon has caused constraints on the city's bike-sharing service, GIRA, leading to complaints from users.
The holding of Velo-city, the world's largest conference on bicycle mobility, in Lisbon has caused constraints on the city's bike-sharing service, GIRA, leading to complaints from users. In one week, the number of available GIRAs dropped from about 900 to just over 500, according to official data.
In a Facebook group of GIRA users with close to 800 members, several people have registered their surprise at the disappearance of bicycles without warning. "It's a complete lack of consideration for GIRA users what CML is doing. Since the middle of the week we have stopped having bikes. Although they shouldn't do it, at least they should have given some notice. Unqualified this attitude"wrote one user. "For EMEL and CML, it's just a green project and will be used even in this municipal campaign. For continuous and reliable use, I advise you to buy your own bike. GIRA is good for beginners or curious people".wrote another user.
The drop in the number of available vehicles has been going on since at least August 28. In a reply on your Facebook profileFernando Medina, Mayor of Lisbon, explained that "a few mechanical bicycles were picked up for the opening ride of Europe's largest convention on urban bicycling", referring to the bicycle parade scheduled for September 8th in the late afternoon in the scope of Velo-city.
Medina said that last weekend 200 new electric bikes would be placed and that "we expect to have 140 more electricians, if manufacturer meets deadlines, in the next 15 days". However, system data - made available through the website Ciclovias.pt via the official API - indicate that between Saturday and Sunday there was not an increase in the supply of GIRA as planned, quite the contrary: on Friday, there were 548 bicycles in the network, while today there are 521. Already on Tuesday 28th, there were 915 bicycles.
A Message from Lisbon indicates that the 350 or so bicycles removed from the system last week were mostly conventional bicycles (without electric assistance). "On the day of the parade, the constraints may be greater, with electric bikes being withdrawn to make up the tour fleet, which may total up to 500 bikes."we read in the newspaper.
More constraints on Wednesday
EMEL, which manages GIRA, has a warning on the GIRA application indicating that Velo-city may bring a "temporary traffic increase"which can "have an impact on availability" of it. To Lisboa Para Pessoas, the company explained that it may close some stations during the afternoon of September 8th along the Velo-city bike parade route. However, "the closure of GIRA stations will only happen if, for logistical reasons, it is unavoidable"clarifies EMEL's source.
The bicycle parade (bike parade(as it is better known among Velo-city participants) will start at Alameda dos Oceanos, near FIL, go along the riverside cycle path to Santa Apolónia, pass through Praça do Comércio, then along Rua da Prata, Rossio and Restauradores, finishing at Parque Mayer. The start is scheduled for 6:30pm. It will be restricted to participants because of the Covid-19 pandemic,
