Drivers park their vehicles on the bicycle path. Photo: Semanario Laguna.

Two months ago, when the section of the San Juan Cosalá bicycle lane was approximately 90 percent complete, neighbors in the area began to regularly use the spaces to set up businesses. 

Neighbors of these areas and residents who pass through the road have commented on the lack of accessibility and the improper use of the bicycle lane.

«The bicycle lane is for cycling and walking at any time, but no, you put yourself in danger when passing through that street, next to the road, because there is not enough room to pass. You must go into the road, and it is not fair.  That is the reason the other sidewalk was left free, there to sell.  The bicycle lane was created to avoid accidents, not to cause them,» commented an annoyed neighbor.

There are more than three businesses that make use of this public space, in the stretch between Cardenal Street and the crossroads, as an opportunity to  expand their space, while others use it as a parking lot. 

Along the road, it is common to find cars obstructing traffic. Photo: Semanario Laguna

«The truth is that I don’t have money to rent a place and the bicycle lane is very wide and nobody has told me anything,» commented a merchant interviewed.

Some vendors opted to move to the other side of the road, after being told that they could not continue to set up in that area or there could be a sanction from the authorities. 

«When they told us we could not be on the bike path it was difficult to change everything.  Some moved, others stayed. A new vendor took over a space that had been used regularly but was vacated. There are people who park their cars as if it were their own house,» concluded another of those consulted. 

Translated by Nita Rudy