Avaliação patológica da ciclovia na Avenida Fernandes Lima, trecho Canaã - Centenário

Abstract

The growing demand for urban mobility solutions has driven the construction of bike lanes as a sustainable alternative for urban commuting. Within this context, and aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11—which promotes more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities—this study examined the bike lane along Avenida Fernandes Lima, in Maceió, Brazil, with the aim of understanding its structural weaknesses and its role in local urban mobility. The research focused on identifying construction pathologies along the segment between the neighborhoods of Canaã and Centenário, assessing how these defects affect the safety and functionality of the infrastructure, and investigating the local population's interest in integrating the main bike lane with adjacent neighborhoods. The methodological approach combined technical visual inspection with statistical sampling, applied to 232 structural elements distributed along the route, and the collection of social data through two online questionnaires. The surveys revealed that approximately 40% of the evaluated slabs exhibited pathological manifestations such as cracks, surface wear, uplift, and breakage, indicating relevant impacts on the durability of the structure. Additionally, the presence of obstacles, insufficient lane width for two-way bicycle traffic, poor signage, and the lack of periodic maintenance were observed to directly affect user experience. In parallel, data from public perception showed a high level of agreement regarding the importance of bike lane connectivity. Residents of nearby neighborhoods recognized the bike lane’s potential as a vector for social integration, access to local commerce, and the promotion of safer and more sustainable travel. Most respondents supported the expansion of the cycling network, provided it is accompanied by technical and structural improvements. These findings reveal not only the existing infrastructure’s shortcomings but also a promising scenario for strengthening the use of bicycles as a viable urban transport mode, especially when combined with corrective actions, integrated planning, and continuous infrastructure management.