‘Bike lanes are great – I hope these issues get resolved’: Rafael Escobedo de la Riva’s best phone picture

Rafael Escobedo de la Riva was heading home from his office in Santa Cruz de Tenerife when he took this image. New bike lanes had recently been installed and it seemed to be taking drivers time to adjust. “There was some resistance and a lack of understanding by local people of this new way of moving around the city,” Escobedo de la Riva says.

He took this image in the aftermath of one particular incident and knew instantly that he’d captured something special. Many people get the impression of a red and white lighthouse against a blue sea, but his interpretation is far more grandiose: “I was actually more reminded of the work of Russian constructivism from the early 20th century,” Escobedo de la Riva, an architect, says “the strong geometrical architecture and composition” drew him to the scene in the first place, adding that he would “love for people to be inspired to use their imagination and find these kinds of geometrical compositions in their cities. We are surrounded by them.”

It’s a few months since he took the photo and Escobedo remains pro-bike lanes.“It’s a great initiative, with positive sides for our health and our planet, so I hope with time these issues get resolved.” For now, he is grateful for the opportunity that was presented to him on an otherwise uneventful commute. “When you pay attention, you can find beautiful surprises.”