Rome creates bike lanes as part of virus measures

Rome has introduced 150 km (93 miles) of emergency bike lanes to give commuters chance to travel safely by bike inste of public transport during coronavirus pandemic.

Italian capital was extending its cycling network at a very slow pace before pandemic - main stations lacked sufficient bike parking and city h few bike lanes.

Before pandemic accelerated development of bike lanes all over city, existing lanes were often weren't connected - forcing cyclists to brave busy and dangerous ros.

Rome transport councilor Pietro Calabrese explained new lanes were transitory and not temporary and y will remain in place after COVID-19 emergency.

According to Calabrese, after Italian government ruled a partial reopening of various economic activities on May 4 only 15% of Roman commuters returned to traveling by train and bus.

capital's public transport network is currently only allowing 50% of original passenger capacity to board in an effort to contain spre of coronavirus.

Local residents commonly think that riding a bicycle in Rome is unsafe due to heavy car traffic and lack of bike lanes.

"We are very happy. We have been asking for m (bike lanes) for years," said Enzina Fasano, president of 'Save Cyclists' association, "we were simply asking for a sing of civic sense and dignity for cyclists."

According to ISTAT (Italian statistics institute) only a very small percentage of Rome commuters cycle to work, a much lower percentage than in or European cities.