After Fatal Tijuca Crash, Rio Still Has No Local Rules for E‑Bikes

Overview

• Following Monday’s crash on Rua Conde de Bonfim that killed Emanoelle Martins Guedes de Farias, 40, and her son Francisco, 9, police recorded the case as involuntary manslaughter.
• Rio’s city hall admits guards cannot issue fines without a municipal rule and says a draft decree is under internal review with no timeline.
• Brazil’s Contran Resolution 996 sets speed caps and equipment for e‑bikes and throttle‑controlled devices and leaves cities to define where they can circulate, while mopeds need plates and a license and must stay off bike lanes.
• City data show about 501 km of bike routes, but only 10% are physically separated and Tijuca has scant coverage, with no lane on the crash corridor.
• Emergency responses tied to micromobility rose 244% from 52 in 2024 to 179 in 2025, and experts urge quick steps like lower speed limits, clear signs and protected lanes as TV crews this week clocked a moped at 45 km/h on an Ipanema bike path.