Challenges in the Implementation of Bike Lane Networks in Intermediate Latin American Cities. The Case of Arequipa Peru

Cycle lanes are transport systems recommended for large and intermediate cities because they desaturate vehicular traffic and at the same time promote non-polluting transportation; however, for this system to work, it must be linked to a public transport system that allows an integrated and multimodal model. As a result of the confinement caused by the covid-19 pandemic, a network of bicycle lanes was implemented in the city of Arequipa, Peru; prior to this circumstance, it was difficult for the municipality to implement them, due to the reluctance on the part of vehicular transport users. However, this proposal was developed with limited technical criteria, without properly studying the capacity of the roads, the volume of traffic, and the behavior of drivers and cyclists, which brought many problems that have resulted in the poor performance of the network. This study proposes a comprehensive model of bike lanes according to the principles of the World Bank, among other institutions, using an integrated multimodal system. For this purpose, in the first place, a general diagnosis of the current network of cycle paths and the complementary measures applied has been carried out, identifying their main problems. Secondly, the perception of the users was measured, using semi-structured questionnaires. Finally, urban design proposals that can help to develop a conceptual model of a cycle system are proposed.