Monaco Hosts First 'Road Safety Day' to Promote Cycling and Road Awareness
The inaugural event organized by the Princess Charlène Foundation features activities aimed at improving road safety and promoting cycling culture.
On March 23, 2025, Monaco will hold its first-ever 'Road Safety Day' on the Larvotto esplanade, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about road safety while promoting cycling.
Organized by the Princess Charlène Foundation, the event will run from 10 AM to 5 PM and welcomes families and cycling enthusiasts.
The day's activities are free and include a variety of interactive exhibits designed in collaboration with the Monaco Red Cross, firefighters, BEKING, and MonaBike.
A pump track will be available for adventurous participants, while a dedicated road safety circuit will allow cyclists of all levels to improve their riding skills.
A highlight of the event will be the Monabike Challenge, featuring six teams comprised of public figures and representatives from various Monaco institutions.
Teams will cycle across the Principality for eight hours, where every distance traveled will contribute to the friendly competition.
This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission established in 2012, which primarily focuses on drowning prevention through programs like 'Learn to Swim' and 'Water Safety.' With the 'Road Safety Day,' the foundation expands its outreach to include road safety and physical activity.
Participants are encouraged to bring their bikes and helmets to fully engage in the planned activities, which promise to be both athletic and educational in a festive atmosphere.
In a separate incident, on March 11, 2025, a 24-year-old French military sergeant was tried in Monaco's Palais de Justice for committing violence resulting in a six-day temporary incapacity to work (ITT).
The altercation occurred on September 21, 2024, near La Rascasse, a popular venue in Monaco.
Monaco police intervened at around 4:10 AM, finding a man with a significant facial injury.
Eyewitnesses quickly identified the accused as the perpetrator, who was reportedly heavily intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of 0.82 mg per liter of exhaled air.
The sergeant allegedly struck the victim 'without apparent reason,' a statement that the victim struggles to comprehend.
During the investigation, the accused admitted to the act but claimed the victim had provoked him.
In court, he expressed remorse; however, his comments raised concerns for the tribunal.
He stated, 'I know what I’m doing when I’m drunk, I remember it well.
I don’t need to apologize; if I hit someone, it’s because they haven’t been correct.' Such remarks prompted expressions of concern about his lack of self-control in adverse situations from the presiding judge, reiterating that such behavior is unbecoming of a military figure.
The prosecutor characterized the act as a violent, disproportionate response, highlighting the severity of the situation.
He recommended a sentence of four months suspended imprisonment along with a criminal record.
The defendant's lawyer attempted to contextualize the incident, arguing that the military man was unduly stressed due to concerns about a family member’s condition at the time of the incident.
The defense also opposed the proposed requirement for psychological evaluation, asserting that the sergeant had already recognized his mistake.
In deliberations, the tribunal found the accused guilty, sentencing him to three months of suspended prison time.
Further data from the Institut monégasque de la statistique et des études économiques (IMSEE) highlighted the gender disparity within Monaco's corporate leadership on March 8, 2025, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
The report revealed that of the 14,238 individuals active in company boards and decision-making bodies, only 4,068 were women, representing 28.6% of leadership roles, a modest increase from 27.1% in 2015.
The most gender-diverse sectors included administration, education, health, social services, and real estate, while construction, finance, and industrial sectors displayed the lowest female representation.
In 2024, 294 out of 989 newly registered entrepreneurs were women, indicating a growing trend of female leadership among youth, particularly among those aged 18-24, who accounted for 44.9% of new business owners.
Also notable, 30.9% of active women in the business registry were French, 19.1% were Monegasque, and 18.7% were Italian, with smaller percentages from other nationalities.
In labor matters, on March 6, 2025, lawyers representing Claude Palmero, former administrator of property for the princely palace, released a statement alleging that he is a victim of judicial and media persecution related to his anti-corruption efforts.
They described this as a vendetta stemming from a report by the Swiss firm Alvarez & Marsal, which conducted an audit they deemed illegal and biased.
Palmero recently filed a lawsuit alleging corruption against several high-ranking public and private officials in the Principality, as well as complaints against the Supreme Court for falsifying documents.
He has also accused Alvarez & Marsal of conducting a fraudulent audit, emphasizing his ongoing legal battles.
Lastly, discussions regarding the legalization of abortion in Monaco have intensified, initiated by a proposal submitted by the National Council on March 8, 2025. The proposed legislation seeks to decriminalize abortion procedures performed by medical professionals and amend existing penal codes to allow abortions without medical justification up to twelve weeks into pregnancy, extending to sixteen weeks in cases of rape.
The Diocese of Monaco has publicly expressed serious concerns regarding the societal and institutional implications of the proposed law.
In a recent statement, they underscored the need for a respectful discourse around the issue while affirming their willingness to engage with institutional representatives on the matter.
The proposal is expected to be voted on in early April during the upcoming spring session of the National Council.
If passed, it would then be subject to government consideration for transformation into formal legislation.
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