Disrespect for cycle paths by taxi drivers has become a common practice in Funchal, more specifically on Estrada Monumental, next to the Forum Madeira shopping center.
The invasion of these roads, intended exclusively for bicycles, not only represents an infraction, but can also put the physical integrity of cyclists at risk, who are forced to make detours from their usual route. However, despite the complaints and warnings, as DIÁRIO reported in its printed edition on February 3, non-compliance continues to occur, as demonstrated by the images captured during this week.
The various complaints from citizens about this reality have even led to a warning from the president of the Association of Taxi Industries of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (AITRAM), António Loreto, who through a statement alerted the aforementioned taxi rank to this non-compliance. “As soon as we received [the complaint] we took steps as we do with everything. Everything that comes to us we try to forward to the street and alert those targeted,” he said, adding, at the time, that he hoped the situation would not repeat itself. “They were alerted and I hope this doesn’t happen again,” he said.