This city banned manspreading on public transportation, so maybe these dudes will finally take a hint
In a move that’s left many women wishing their own cities would do the same, the city of Madrid has banned manspreading on public transportation. According to the Spanish news agency The Local, the most obnoxious practice ever has been prohibited across all the city’s public transit services.
Madrid’s Municipal Transportation Company (EMT) has implemented signage in all of its trains and buses that’s intended to dissuade passengers from manspreading and making the ride totally miserable for everyone their vicinity.
“The new information icon indicates the prohibition of taking a seating position that bothers other people, according to a statement issued by the EMT. “It’s to remind transport users to maintain civic responsibility and respect the personal space of everyone on board."
Esta es la señal de los autobuses de la @EMTmadrid para respetar el espacio de los demás y evitar el #manspreading. https://t.co/dnqdMycgaO pic.twitter.com/Xwcx3bx8DG
— Ayuntamiento Madrid (@MADRID) June 7, 2017
Women in Madrid have been pushing for a manspreading ban for months. A viral petition campaign titled #MadridSinManspreading (#MadridWithoutManspreading) was launched by Mujeres en Lucha and sent to the city’s mayor and regional president.
“Manspreading is the practice of certain men sitting with their legs wide open on public transport, taking up other people’s space. It is not something that occurs sporadically, if you pay attention you’ll see that it is a very common practice," the petition said. “It’s not difficult to see women with their legs shut and very uncomfortable because there is a man next to them who is invading their space with his legs."
#MadridSinManspreading Nosotras ya hemos firmado contra las actitudes relacionadas con el “privilegio masculino” https://t.co/lArxHRfASV pic.twitter.com/wThLbTRFa4
— FMJ (@MujeresJovenesF) June 5, 2017
Madrid isn’t the first city to take a stand against manspreading — a similar campaign titled “Dude, please stop the spreading” was spearheaded by New York City’s MTA. As a result, New Yorkers must manspread at their own risk — NYPD officers have arrested men for the practice. So, manspreaders of Madrid, consider yourselves warned.
