Urban mobility shifts drive demand for new regulations in Paraguay and Uruguay

Urban centers in Paraguay and Uruguay are facing new challenges as mobility patterns shift toward motorcycles, bicycles, and electric vehicles. In Asunción and its metropolitan area, there has been a significant increase in motorcycles and delivery workers seeking more affordable and agile alternatives to public transport and cars. While bicycle use is also growing for short trips and health reasons, urban infrastructure has not kept pace, leaving cyclists and pedestrians to navigate limited bike lanes and deteriorating sidewalks.

In Salto, Uruguay, the rise of electric bicycles and scooters has prompted calls for clearer traffic regulations. Concerns have been raised regarding safety, including minors operating vehicles, adults transporting children without helmets, high speeds, and improper use of sidewalks. The emergence of electric bicycles with passenger seats has added further complexity to the need for updated transit rules to protect vulnerable users and manage the risks posed by irregular pavement conditions.