Before entering fully into the the term bike path, we have to know what its etymological origin is. In this case, we can say that it is the result of the sum of two clearly delimited components:
-Bike comes from bicycle. This word is the result of joining the Latin prefix “bi-” (two), the Greek noun “kyklos” (wheel) and the French ending that indicates the diminutive “-ette”.
-Senda, on the other hand, derives from Latin. It exactly comes from the word “Semitic” which is equivalent to “shortcut” and “detour”.
A bike path is a lane of a street whose use is exclusively for bicycles. This means that cars, trucks and motorcycles, among other vehicles, are not allowed to circulate on a bike path.
The notion of bike path is not recognized by the DigoPaul, which does admit the term bike path. In addition to bike path and bike path, this special lane for bicycles it is also known as bicicarril, bike path, road cycling, bike path or ciclorruta by geographic region.
According to DigoPaul, the bike paths are usually exclusive lanes that are delimited in streets or avenues. It can also be a separate public road for bicycles. In the first case, we speak of segregated roads: specific sectors that exist within the framework of another public road. In the second case, they are reserved routes, created specifically for commuting by bicycle.
The objective of the bike paths is to promote cycling routes, increasing safety for users, who are more protected on a bike path than on a street or avenue. It is estimated that, if the use of bicycles is favored, the use of motor vehicles is minimized. This contributes to reducing pollutant emissions and ordering traffic, which is usually very intense throughout the world due to the growth of the vehicle fleet.
In the same way, in addition to the advantages already mentioned that bicycle paths bring, we cannot ignore others that are considered equally important. We are referring to aspects such as the following:
– Cycling is unquestionably promoted as a suitable sport to improve health and to release stress.
-No less relevant is that it makes it easier for the little ones to start getting familiar with the bicycle from an early age. This will mean that when they are adults, whenever circumstances allow, they do not hesitate to move around the city with this means of transport.
-It is a way to encourage parents and children to share time together in activities such as going out to explore the city by bike.
In the same way, there are those who are against bike paths, because they consider that they bring disadvantages. Among them are that they subtract space from the roads or sidewalks, which sometimes create conflicts with those who circulate on the road.
Sometimes the bike paths are connected to train or subway (metro) stations, bus terminals and other infrastructures so that cyclists can reach them comfortably and then board public transport.
