Detran conducts educational approaches in honor of Cyclist Day
Collisions involving cyclists in the State decreased by approximately 17.7% between 2023 and 2024
Cycling has established itself not only as a leisure and sports activity but also as a sustainable and essential means of transportation for mobility. To celebrate National Cyclist Day, observed this Tuesday, the 19th, the State Department of Transit (Detran) conducted educational approaches on public roads in Belém. The aim was to raise awareness about the importance of respecting this segment.
The first action started at 6 a.m. with the assistance of 170 cyclists passing through the Bruno Secchi Avenue with Centenário, in addition to other vehicles that also received guidance on the importance of respect and empathy towards cyclists. During the educational stop on the bike lane, Detran's education agents and the Municipal Secretary of Security, Public Order, and Mobility of Belém (Segbel) provided guidance on safety and sustainability and distributed sustainable bags, reflective cords, and safety whistles. In the afternoon, it was the turn of working cyclists to receive guidance from Detran on Augusto Montenegro Avenue.
“The activities were designed to draw everyone's attention to the fundamental role of cyclists in the mobility of cities. For them, safety and protection guidance on the road, and for car and motorcycle drivers, awareness for respect towards the bike lane,” explains Detran's education coordinator, Celina Koury.
The educational actions of Detran reinforce the objectives established by Law No. 10.966/2025, enacted in May of this year by Governor Helder Barbalho, which establishes the state policy to encourage the use of bicycles as a means of transportation. Among the objectives of the law is the promotion of educational campaigns aimed at bicycle use. Furthermore, the agency's approaches primarily focus on road safety and harmony among all road users.
Mobility and safety - The date commemorating cyclists, officially established in 2017, is more than just a simple celebration; it is a milestone instituted in memory of Pedro Davison, a cyclist from Brasília who died in 2006 at the age of 25 in an accident while cycling in the southern axis of the city.
The bicycle, for many, represents the solution for daily commuting, especially for those seeking more economical and efficient alternatives to reach work or carry out their activities. This is the case of João Silva, 35, who uses his bicycle as the main means of transportation to get to his job at a logistics company in the capital. "Before, I spent a lot on public transport, and often the journey was long and tiring. With the bicycle, I gained more freedom, saved money, and still get daily exercise," says João, who cycles about 10 km a day.
This rise of the bicycle as a mode of transport is reflected in recent data indicating an improvement in road safety. According to Detran's data, the number of collisions involving bicycles showed a significant reduction. In 2023, there were 875 collisions, while in 2024, this number fell to 715 occurrences, a decrease of approximately 17.7%. “This positive trend indicates greater care on the part of all road users. It also proves the result of the ongoing educational work that Detran has been doing to raise awareness throughout the state,” highlights the agency's general director, Renata Coelho.
Detran has been actively working to encourage this new means of transportation, promoting educational campaigns and awareness projects aimed at the safety of cyclists. The reduction in collision rates is a reflection of this joint effort, which aims to create a safer and more inclusive traffic environment for all.
Arnaldo Villar Pantoja, director of the Pará Cycling Federation in the Cycling Mobility and Cycle Tourism department and Coordinator of the Union of Bike Coordinators of Pará (UCBPA), emphasizes that the date "seeks to raise awareness in society about the challenges faced by cyclists and promote reflection on the need for safer and more respectful traffic. Raising awareness about the importance of road safety and promoting the bicycle as a sustainable and healthy means of transportation." In Pará, the celebration coincides with the anniversary of the Pará Cycling Federation, founded in 1977, reinforcing the long history of cycling in the State.
Detranzinho - The program was different today at the Detranzinho space, especially for Cyclist Day. The State Department of Transit (Detran) received 26 children and adolescents from the Usina da Paz of Cabanagem, aged 6 to 12 years, with a schedule of pedagogical activities related to Cyclist Day, focusing on awareness and sustainable transportation.
Student Carlos Daniel, 10 years old, shared everything he learned during the Cyclist Day activity and highlighted how fun it was to participate alongside friends. “Today I learned some things about bike lanes, how to ride a bicycle, how to respect traffic, the signals we, cyclists, can make, and how to better observe the movement of the streets. It’s been really cool to be here with my friends. Sometimes I ride my bike to activities, and knowing the right things about being a cyclist is much better, like, for example, crossing a street looking both ways.”
In the interactive lecture, they were able to watch a short video about Cyclist Day, which presented playful approaches, and also participated in various games in the Detranzinho mini-circuit. The education agents helped the little ones learn how to behave on the roads while cycling, what their duties are, and what should not be done to assist in their mobility.
The director of Usina da Paz of Cabanagem, Vando Silva, commented on the importance of the invitation to bring children to the Cyclist Day activity. “We received the invitation from Detran, and today we are here at Detranzinho. The children came to participate in the program, and it is very important to guide them on how to behave on the roads, not only on busy streets but also on the streets close to our community, Cabanagem. Additionally, tips on signaling and how to act in situations involving cars and motorcycles, since most of them use bicycles to get to Usina. This awareness is fundamental for our young cyclists,” he emphasized.
To ensure that the cycling experience is safe and enjoyable, some items are indispensable:
-Helmet: Essential for head protection in case of falls.
-Lighting: White front lights and red rear lights, especially important for cycling at night or in low visibility conditions.
-Signaling: Hands and arms to indicate changes in direction.
-Light and reflective clothing: Increases the visibility of the cyclist to drivers.
-Bicycle maintenance: Properly inflated tires, functioning brakes, and lubricated chains are crucial for safety.
Text: Maria Helena Gennigs and Anna Kelly Saraiva / Ascom Detran
