The cycle lane in Santa Cruz de Tenerife has emerged amidst significant controversy. Numerous complaints have been voiced, culminating in a demonstration, as many inhabitants of the island’s capital believe that it brings more difficulties than benefits.
Local residents and business owners in the central district of Santa Cruz de Tenerife protested on January 25 against the new cycle lane being implemented by the local council, with construction set to finish by April. This protest, organised by the neighbourhood association Urban Centro El Perenquén, marched through Méndez Núñez, El Pilar, Villalba Hervás, and Bravo Murillo, chanting “Our streets are for residents.”
Silvia Barrera, the president of El Perenquén, made her stance clear, urging the City of Santa Cruz de Tenerife to reconsider: “It is unacceptable to remove 5,200 parking spaces in the historic centre for a lane that does not take into account accessibility, eliminates loading zones, as well as taxi drop-off spots, thus impacting 9,160 residents and numerous small businesses. We request that the City Council amend this.”
Recently, a photograph shared on social media encapsulated the residents’ grievances. On the page Facebook Tenerife, Architecture and Landscape, they highlighted the issues associated with the new cycle lane on streets like San José: “Currently, buses stop to drop off passengers in the only vehicle lane, forcing users to alight directly into the lane designated for electric bikes and scooters, causing total traffic disruption. Taxis are unable to drop off passengers, and both parking lanes as well as a secondary vehicle lane have been eliminated.”
A further demonstration against the cycle lane in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is scheduled for March.
