Since the changes promised by the new Riga City Council have yet to come to pass one and a half years after elections, the association City for People invites residents to join the picket procession Restarting the restart. The gathering is planned to take place at Town Hall Square at 17:00 on 1 June 2022. From there, participants will move to the Transport Department on Ģertrūdes Street.
Representatives of the association say that with this event it is planned to «have Riga City Council’s coalition of change to implement positive changes for the city’s environment, especially in regards to road traffic safety. We expect results in action, not just words».
«Although prior to elections politicians held promotional activities at Tērbatas Street and promised improvements for the urban environment and safety of traffic participants, City for People association is disappointed with Riga City Council’s progress in these fields. Introduction of new pedestrian crossings is very slow. On top of that, this year there are no plans to reorganise traffic on the city’s streets. There are projects in the works using infrastructure that is unsuccessful and even dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. For example, the tunnel under Lāčplēsis Street near Maskavas Street opened last week, as well as the streets in Lucavsala and the Eastern highway that is currently under construction,» said representatives of the association.
The also say that there are not plans to make Tērbatas Street into a pedestrian street, Čaka Street’s cycling lane has been crossed out without presenting alternatives. On top of that, no improvements are observed on Krišjāņa Barona, Brīvības and K. Valdemāra streets.
The association also points to the reduction of the number of public transport runs due to a shortage of funding, which impedes improvement of the urban environment.
«Instead, to improve safety in Riga, Riga City Council institutions make it mandatory for pedestrians to push traffic light buttons, which is expensive and makes foot traffic more inconvenient. Officials also participate in campaigns, calling micromobility users users monkeys!» said chairman of the association Kārlis Krēķis.
1 June is the International Children’s Day. This is why residents are invited to come together with their children. Kārlis Krēķis, who has three children, stresses: «The city should be safe enough for children to go to and from school on their own. Is Riga like that? Unfortunately no, not yet!»
Association invites Riga residents to join picket procession Restarting the restart
