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Rio Opens 7.2‑Km Zona Sul Leisure Ciclofaixa

The policy creates a low‑speed leisure corridor to increase cycling capacity, with punitive enforcement set to begin on November 1.

Overview

  • The ciclofaixa was inaugurated on Sunday, August 30, and will operate on Sundays and holidays from 8:00 to 16:00 along a 7.2 km stretch of the Zona Sul waterfront from Leblon to Copacabana.
  • Municipal teams closed the lane to motor traffic from 7:00 to 17:00 on operating days and deployed 173 Guarda Municipal officers, 38 CET agents, nine vehicles, a drone, 2,000 cones and 76 radios to secure the route.
  • Officials limit the lane to 'autopropelidos' — self‑propelled electric devices with factory top speeds of 32 km/h — and bar ciclomotores that require registration and can reach 50 km/h.
  • A dynamometer was used in launch‑day spot checks that recorded devices at 52 km/h and 68 km/h, and the city is running educational inspections through October 31 before starting fines and vehicle seizure on November 1.
  • The measure follows an August 25 municipal decree clarifying vehicle categories and aligns with the city's goal to expand safe micromobility and better organize leisure space along the orla.