| 11/08/2001 | Security along the U.S. - Mexico has been greatly increased since the September 11 attacks. This had led to extensive delays from visitors returning from Mexico as the border crossing. There has been an increase in the number of people that are riding bicycles across the border. Because of this increase the United States border authorities have created a special bicycle-only border crossing lane in El Paso, Texas.
The Immigration and Naturalization Service is hoping the idea will catch on. The INS has asked Mexican authorities to help distribute leaflets publicizing the new bike lanes, where crossing into the United States takes a only few minutes. Auto crossings now involve hours-long waits because of more thorough searches.
The bicycle lane was opened Tuesday at a downtown bridge, after inspectors noticed that bike riders were weaving through backed-up cars to get to inspection gates. About 270 people used the bicycle lane on the first day, and 280 did on Wednesday. The lane is open from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m..www.ap.org
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