Protesters in Elche, Spain, are resisting the local council’s move to dismantle a cycle lane. The council, a coalition between the centre-right People’s Party and far-right Vox, has taken a pro-car stance. They recently removed a cycle lane on Avenida Juan Carlos I at a cost of £32,500 and have started removing another on Calle José María Buck.
Claudio Guilabert, the town’s mobility councillor, said the decision followed complaints from parents at a local school who had to double-park due to the cycle lane. The council argues the José María Buck lane is unsafe, citing 10 minor accidents in 18 months.
The former councillor, Esther Díez, criticised the move as “barbaric,” accusing the new government of “fanaticism.”
The pro-car policy trend isn’t unique to right-wing governments; Barcelona’s socialist mayor, Jaume Collboni, has also favoured car use. Having defeated an “anti-car” candidate, Collboni advocates a transition to electric vehicles, offering residents £2,125 to swap their petrol cars for electric or hybrid models.