Madeira’s Via Expresso has determined that current conditions do not meet the safety requirements for hosting cycling events on its network of roads. The decision follows a thorough technical analysis of safety and traffic flow on the concessioned roadways.
According to a statement released by the company’s board of administration, the study was conducted with the support of consultants specializing in road safety and traffic management, taking into account recent trends in road usage.
The company reports that the Average Daily Traffic (ADT) has increased by approximately 50% over the past five years. This surge in traffic has transformed roads previously suitable for occasional events into high-volume thoroughfares, significantly increasing the risk to non-motorized vehicles.
Via Expresso warns that the increased traffic volume exacerbates conflicts between cyclists and motorists, raising the potential for accidents. The presence of athletes on the roads could reduce traffic flow, leading to congestion, collisions, and dangerous overtaking maneuvers.
Another factor cited by the company relates to the characteristics of its road network, which includes numerous tunnels. The absence of shoulders in these structures prevents a safe separation between cyclists and automobile traffic, while visibility and light adaptation at tunnel entrances and exits further increase the risk of accidents.
Beyond road safety concerns, Via Expresso emphasizes the require to ensure the continuous availability of these routes for emergency services and the regular operation of the region’s economy. The concessioned network, the company notes, is a vital transportation hub, ensuring the daily flow of goods, supplies, and both workforce and tourist mobility.
Any significant restrictions, the company adds, could jeopardize these essential flows and hinder the rapid circulation of medical assistance vehicles, civil protection services, and other emergency responders.
Based on its analysis, the concessionaire has concluded that “the conditions necessary to hold sports cycling events on the concessioned road network are not met.”
Via Expresso acknowledges that this decision is difficult, given its history of collaboration with sporting events, but maintains that prioritizing the safety of athletes and road users, as well as ensuring the functionality of a critical infrastructure for regional mobility and population protection, is paramount.
