Too many traffic tragedies; cyclists take to the streets: “A few seconds aren’t worth a life”
Taking to the streets to remember those who are no longer with us, but also to call for real change and greater safety on the roads. The event, organized by the Provincial Committee of the Italian Cycling Federation in collaboration with Fiab Trento Amici della Bicicletta Aps, took place this morning in Piazza Lodron in Trento to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
The event brought together citizens, organizations, institutional representatives, and, above all, the families of Matteo Lorenzi, Sara Piffer, and Adele Cobelli—the three young cyclists from Trentino who were struck and killed over the past two years while out on training rides. These three tragedies have deeply affected the local community and have lent even greater weight to the day’s message: to draw attention to the dangers of speeding and distracted driving and to the need to protect the most vulnerable road users, starting with pedestrians and cyclists.
Renato Beber opened the proceedings, recalling how the initiative originated with the Trentino Committee of the Cycling Federation, which he chairs, and was subsequently proposed and adopted at the national level, involving regional committees and associations dedicated to protecting vulnerable road users. “It’s a proposal that originated with our Committee and was embraced and developed across all regions in collaboration with the associations,” explained Beber. “We also wanted to identify a square in Trento where we could, first and foremost, remember those who are no longer with us. Over the past two years, the deaths of Matteo, Sara, and Adele have affected not only their families but also many other people and even institutions. Following these events, there has been a renewed awareness and greater attention to the issue—which must be acknowledged and appreciated—but there is still much to be done.”
The president of the Trento FCI Committee also recalled the awareness-raising efforts carried out in recent years in collaboration with local organizations, reaffirming the commitment to keeping the spotlight on the issue of road safety. “We have already presented some proposals in recent years, and we intend to continue along this path,” Beber added. “With initiatives like this, we want to keep the spotlight on a situation that can no longer be tolerated.”
Beber also expressed concern about proposed changes to the traffic code, which he believes do not sufficiently prioritize the protection of the most vulnerable road users. “We’ve read and heard about attempts to amend the traffic code, but it doesn’t seem to us that they’re heading in the right direction,” clarified the president of Federciclismo Trentino. “Once again, pedestrians and cyclists risk being penalized compared to those who are more powerful on the road. There will be other demonstrations in the coming weeks calling for a review of the proposed changes, and we will try to be there as well.”
Next to speak was the president of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Maurizio Fugatti, who emphasized the need to transform the heightened sensitivity resulting from recent tragedies into a greater sense of awareness among all road users.
“The awareness you have developed must become the awareness of ordinary citizens, motorists, and everyone who uses the roads. It is essential to travel safely and to ensure that cyclists and pedestrians are also safe,” stated Fugatti, thanking the associations for their role in spurring action by local governments.
The president then took stock of the measures aimed at improving safety and coexistence among different road users, focusing in particular on bike lanes: “Your initiatives serve as an incentive for provincial administrations,” added Fugatti. “The issue of bike lanes, which you have brought to our attention, is increasingly gaining traction within the community. At first, it wasn’t easy to explain the purpose of this design, but today I’m even receiving requests from mayors to build these lanes in their areas.”
Fugatti noted that about thirty routes have already been completed and that an equal number are in the planning phase for the upcoming season, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with municipal administrations. He also highlighted that the Province’s commitment extends to enhancing infrastructure dedicated to cycling: “We are also working to improve the infrastructure, starting with the protected cycling circuit in the San Vincenzo area—but not limited to that—as well as to develop and expand the network of bike paths.”
Also present at the event were the deputy mayor of Trento, Elisabetta Bozzarelli, and the mayor of Lavis, Luca Paolazzi, who in turn delivered messages aimed at keeping the spotlight on the issue.
At the end of the speeches, the bicycles were laid on the ground for a minute of silence in memory of all victims of traffic violence. It was a symbolic and particularly moving gesture, performed in front of the families of the three young cyclists, before the start of the bike ride to the Government Commissariat.
There was no formal message to deliver, as Beber pointed out, but rather a collective presence seeking to make its voice heard—one that intends to continue in the coming weeks and months. Because road safety is a shared responsibility and because, as the campaign accompanying the initiative reminded us, “A few seconds aren’t worth a life.”
