Not even bad weather stopped the Trentino cycling movement from making its voice heard and launching an appeal to institutions, which actively responded by participating in the "Back on the Right Track" event, aimed at drawing attention to the crucial issue of road safety and violence.

Yesterday in Trento, the second edition of the initiative took place, promoted by the Federciclismo Committee of Trento together with Fiab Trento Friends of the Bicycle Aps, Uisp Trento, Legambiente – Trento circle, Rete Climatica Trentina, Ciclostile – Bruno Social Center of Trento, Tridentum Bike and Sustainable Mobility Committee Trentino. Organizations that received the enthusiastic response of many enthusiasts, young cyclists above all, but also from those who are called upon to provide concrete answers.
Together with the organizers and many young and older participants, they also pedaled the president of the Autonomous Province of Trento Maurizio Fugatti, the mayor of Trento Franco Ianeselli, the municipal councilor for sustainable mobility and environment Michele Brugnara, the families of Sara Piffer and Matteo Lorenzi (the two young Trentino cyclists who were victims of road violence) and two-time Giro d'Italia winner Gilberto Simoni.

The organizers specifically requested the opening of a dedicated working group and actions to ensure the protection of vulnerable road users, such as speed controls and compliance with the 1.5-meter distance from cyclists, the adoption of a provincial cycling mobility plan, accompanied by the establishment of inter-municipal working groups, the extension of 30 km/h zones in urban contexts, the promotion of sustainable mobility and road safety education projects in schools of all levels, the construction of cycling infrastructure and the spread of bike lanes on provincial roads.

The president of Federciclismo Renato Beber opened the series of speeches, calling on institutions to address the delicate issue. "Institutions, including the Province, must listen to the demands put forward by all the organizations and associations that represent the cycling world, so as to allow the many young people who practice this sport to pursue their passion safely, a discourse that also applies to those who choose the bicycle as a means of transportation rather than for sports practice," said the president of the Province of Trento Maurizio Fugatti. "We are trying to carry forward initiatives and something has been done: the first two bike lanes have been inaugurated and in the coming weeks three more will be built. In total, we have 14 planned. At the same time, we are designing a dedicated structure in the San Vincenzo area and strengthening the cycling path network. It is essential to act both on the educational level, promoting mutual respect between motorists and cyclists, and on the infrastructural level, with the creation of dedicated spaces".

"The principle we want to assert is that the road belongs to everyone," emphasized the mayor of Trento Franco Ianeselli, who then added: "If we still have the idea that the road belongs to motorists and that everyone else must ask 'please', then we're not getting it right. That's why we say a firm 'yes' to cycling paths, bike lanes, and 30 km/h zones. If we all go a little slower, we're all safer. There is the possibility of coexistence, but infrastructure alone is not enough; we need culture and education first and foremost".

The issue is particularly felt by those like the parents of Sara Piffer and Matteo Lorenzi, who lost a child in tragic episodes of road violence. "Over the past year we have traveled a lot and had the opportunity to speak with many young people," said Lorenzo Piffer, Sara's father. "We saw them frightened by the constant stream of tragic news and the impatience of motorists. We welcome the responses from politicians, but we too must do our part, with a change in culture. I announce, in this regard, the birth of the Sara Piffer Foundation: it will be a philanthropic charitable organization and we will be at the forefront also on the issue of road safety".

Two-time Giro d'Italia winner Gilberto Simoni, in turn, emphasized the importance of institutional presence at the event, launching his own appeal. "The road belongs to everyone and bike lanes serve to remind motorists of this," said Simoni. "The road also belongs to those who want to move by bicycle. I believe there is room for everyone: arriving home 5 minutes earlier doesn't change your life, 'arriving home' does".