MUBi proposes Portugal Highway Code changes to protect cyclists

The Association for Urban Bicycle Mobility (MUBi) has submitted a series of proposals to the Portuguese Ministry of Internal Administration regarding the revision of the national Highway Code and Traffic Signaling Regulations. The organization argues that the primary goal of the code should be reducing risks for all public space users, emphasizing that sustainable mobility cannot exist without safety.

A central proposal is the implementation of a standard 30 km/h speed limit within urban areas, replacing the current 50 km/h limit. MUBi suggests that higher speeds should only be permitted on specifically signaled roads where safety conditions are met. The association cites successful models in Spain and Wales to support this measure, noting significant reductions in cyclist and pedestrian fatalities in those regions.

Additionally, MUBi is calling for the creation of a distinct legal category for Personal Mobility Vehicles (VMP), such as electric scooters, to differentiate them from conventional and electric-assist bicycles. This distinction aims to create a more coherent and predictable regulatory system for different modes of transport.