Urban cycling trends diverge in Maricá and Goiânia

In Maricá, the free public bicycle system, known as ‘Vermelhinhas’, has expanded with two new stations in the Ponta Grossa and Cordeirinho neighborhoods. The network now includes 68 stations and 680 bicycles, comprising 58 adult and 10 child stations. Since its inception in 2021, the program has grown from 20 stations to its current scale, serving over 211,000 registered users and contributing to the reduction of over 506 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Conversely, Goiânia has seen a significant reduction in its cycling infrastructure. Data from the Municipal Secretariat of Traffic Engineering (SET) indicates that the city’s cycling network decreased by 37.6% over five years, falling from 120.38 km in 2021 to 75.04 km in 2026. The current network consists of 23.62 km of permanent cycle paths, 18 km of cycle lanes, and 33.42 km of cycle routes. Reports highlight issues with signage and conservation, as well as the removal of lanes during roadwork. Additionally, the ‘City Bike’ electric bicycle project announced by the municipal administration has faced delays.