Framework Law for the Use and Promotion of the Bicycle

Dear Clients and Friends:

In order for employers to prepare to comply with labor obligations for next year 2021, ROMERO PINEDA hereby informs you that as of October 5, 2020, Legislative Decree No. 711 came into force.Framework Law for the Use of Bicycles” whose main objective is to generate a regulatory framework that promotes the use and promotion of the bicycle as an ecological and friendly means of transportation, both in urban and rural areas.

The law declares of public interest the use and promotion of the bicycle as a private, ecological and friendly means of transportation, the promotion of which is the responsibility of the State through the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, and the municipalities, and must dictate measures related to the use of bicycles, create awareness programs regarding respect for cyclists and safe use of bicycles, among others.

The decree determines that the State will gradually adapt public roads for the safer use of bicycles so that it becomes a means of transportation for daily use. For this to be carried out, urban roads and lanes must include cycle paths, signage and the respective painting that indicates the respective lanes designated for bicycles and their users.

The law establishes the rules and instructions that cyclists must obey to circulate on the streets.

Additionally, all future constructions and works must include cycle routes. In addition, it is established that existing public and commercial buildings, educational centers, work centers, terminals, stations and stops of public and private collective transport must have adequate parking for bicycles; within a period of no more than two years from the entry into force of this Law.

For their part, bicycle sellers are required to keep a record of buyers with their name, DUI, chassis number and date of sale of the bicycle. It must also be indicated if it is new or used.

Specifically in the workplace, the following is regulated:

• Public and private employers must provide monthly incentives to employees who use it as a means of transportation.
• They must facilitate the use of changing rooms with showers in the workplace.
• Work centers must have adequate parking for bicycles, within a period of no more than two years from the entry into force of the legislation.

For more information and legal assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Beatriz Merino (Coordinator of the Labor Unit) and/or Pablo Sorto (Legal Collaborator) at phone (503) 2505-5555 or by email bmerino@romeropineda.com and psorto@romeropineda.com

It will be a pleasure for us to serve you.