I'll Make an Origami Bicycle Out of Your Victim Card

In the urban mobility debate, cyclists have adopted a stance that positions them as perpetual victims. They demand rights without accepting responsibilities, calling for exclusive infrastructure and privileges but rejecting basic regulations that protect their safety and that of others on the road.

The Helmet Debate: An Absurd Argument

The use of helmets has been a hotly contested issue among cyclists. According to a study by Fundación MAPFRE, helmets can prevent two out of three serious head injuries. However, only 3 out of 10 cyclists in Mexico City wear them. Despite these compelling statistics, some cycling groups vehemently oppose making helmet use mandatory, arguing that helmets are not a safeguard against traffic accidents.

For instance, cyclist sites on the internet calims that cyclist helmets are not a magic solution and blaims car and bus drivers of accidents.

This position of blaming others and not taking responsibility is manifested in the idea that some cyclists have that safety equipment, such as a helmet, is not an option and not an obligation, if not imposed by regulation, but by common sense.

In this post we can realize the lack of meaning in the discourse about the security team, leaving it in an ambiguous yes but no:

Helmet is not mandatory. We cyclists are aware of the number of confrontations with motor vehicle users that we can have in our attempt to circulate freely and safely on our streets. Among some of these informed confrontations we have noticed that people believe that it is really an obligation for us to bring helmets.

However, considering article 23, you should know that the use of a helmet is not mandatory to ride a bicycle, although as an organization we recommend its use. It has been proven that the helmet is still inefficient against a strong car impact. Although it can help us feel safer and can be a healthy recommendation, remember that the use of a helmet is not mandatory. Only the minimum essential equipment to ride safely is a front headlight and a rear reflector. You can check all this information in article 23 of the new peace traffic regulations.

Some of the leading voices in this internet communities also mention that safe infrastructure should be the priority. While it is true that infrastructure is crucial, ignoring the importance of helmets reflects a negligent attitude and a lack of personal responsibility. This stance only underscores the tendency of these cyclists to portray themselves as victims while rejecting any measures that involve self-regulation.

Bicycle Registration: Another Unjustified Resistance

The registration of bicycles is another logical measure to regulate and protect both cyclists and other road users. However, many radical cyclists see this as a violation of their rights. They argue that bicycles should not be subject to the same regulations as motor vehicles, completely ignoring the fact that they use the same infrastructure and can cause serious accidents.

Impossible Coexistence

It is clear that bicycles, being vehicles with a high vulnerability factor, should not share the same road space as motorized vehicles. Cyclists demand safe infrastructure, but these should be based on mobility studies and not on passing trends. It is imperative to develop bike lanes and other parallel infrastructures that ensure the safety of all road users when needed as a transportation option, backed by a volume of users that justify the investment.

Victimization and Lack of Responsibility

The attitude of victimization is evident in every argument presented by these groups. They call for more bike lanes and demand respect on the road, but they are not willing to adhere to regulations that increase their safety. For example, in Baja California Sur, the same cycling group also argued that they should not be required to obey traffic lights, which rightly provoked a wave of criticism. This resistance to any form of regulation reflects a lack of maturity and responsibility that is dangerous for themselves and for other road users.

The post claims: In order to exercise our right, it is important that first of all we are aware and responsible of what precaution means.

It is within our rights that at secondary intersections, with caution, we can run the traffic light when it is red, having made sure that it is possible to cross safely and without putting other road users at risk, that is, with caution.

This right places emphasis on our safety and integrity, avoiding unnecessary stops at inconvenient times. Especially for women, since at night they can continue on their way and not stop, which makes them less likely to suffer harassment or other crimes.

Let us assert our rights always exercising our responsibility.

We invite you to know your rights in the new traffic regulations of La Paz

Conclusion

To move towards safer and more equitable mobility, it is crucial that cyclists accept and comply with basic regulations. They must understand that they cannot demand rights without assuming responsibilities. I'll make an origami bicycle out of your victim card because, in the urban reality, safety is built with responsible actions, not unfounded complaints.

Many of these groups have achieved such political influence that they are capable of boycotting and stopping processes in congress, to achieve their whims. All citizens of a state or a country have the right to mobility, but no group should impose its interests on others, even compromising its own security.

Even worse. Due to the aforementioned political force, many politicians now champion these interests, this tendency to sanctify cycling and show it as the panacea of mobility, simply repeating like parrots postulates that they do not understand or evaluate and in the end they do not share, since they move in luxurious vehicles while they chatter about their support for these palliative causes instead of seeking or supporting the identification and solution of the root causes of the mobility problem.

So, dear bicycle-loving activists and cycle lovers, let's make a nice origami bicycle with your victim cards, put it on a shelf and, better yet, let's start working on real mobility solutions for each user.