The history of bike path taught us that exclusive lanes for cyclist transit is not a luxury, but a need. One of the Latin-American countries that best learnt it is Colombia, with the emergence of the bike path in Bogotá.
For that, in today’s journey we’re going to discover more about how began this great project. Would you join us? Then prepare your bike, use comfy clothes because is a long ride.
Bike path in Bogotá, the beginning
There’s no better way for a bike path to arise than from the demand and requirement of citizens. And, government is the one to provide these spaces without being asked, because cyclists are the ones who live the risks of use wheels day to day. From there exists need of have safe and exclusive spaces.
Among these reasons and appropriation of streets by motorized transport; was that on December 15th of 1974, 5 thousand brave cyclists take their bikes and take control of Bogotá downtown. The intention was transit freely, avoiding cars and buses transit by avenues momentarily. This was a protest due small space for cyclist and non or irrelevant caution of motorists with bike users.
The responsible people of this initiative is an independent organization without profit motive called “Pro-cicla” with the support of the Departamento Administrativo de Tránsito y Transporte (Administrative Department of Transit and Transportation). The event was known as “Mitin a favor de la cicla” and summon over 5 thousand supporters.
From that day, Bogotá bike path started with their first pedals, but didn’t ride for complete.
Bike Path in Bogotá: the origin
The “Mitin a favor de la cicla” (rally in favour of bike) gave the bases for the official establishment of this project. Two years later the city hall of Bogotá gave the next pedal. This consisted in provide exclusive roads to bike users.
These were placed in the most strategical place, with the purpose of being safe for cyclists and just them and pedestrians could transit harmoniously.
The next effort happened on June 7th of that year. In that date were issued the 566 and 567 decrees where specify the different types of bikeways, propose permanent routes and every Sunday is considered ‘La Ciclovia’ as a recreational and temporary space, where for some hours is impeded the passage of cars in big avenues.
Does this project sound familiar?
Thanks to these measures on June 20th of 1976 finally decreed the full functioning of bike path in Bogotá. The project finally moved forward but not at its maximum speed.
The boom and decline
Bike path in Bogotá started with a great acceptation. However, at the beginning was contemplated the journey by 7th, 13th highways and 32 and 39 streets. It was a total ride of 21 miles, a good start that reduced but never stopped.
The boom of the great bike way lasted almost 20 years. For the Secretaría de Tránsito y Transporte (Secretariat of transit and transportation); the project transformed into an additional function instead a primary one. The cyclist infrastructure was in bad conditions without an administrative support or planning.
This caused the reduction of the route to less than 12 miles, and as so often happens in all countries, it was regarded as priority the zones with a medium-high, high social-economic status.
Fortunately, a second chance was provided to this project. In 1995 passed to Instituto Distrital de Recreación y Deporte (District Institute of Recreation and Sports), which through certain aims, provided new life to bike route.
New purposes
With the idea of rekindle the bike path project (even though never stopped), were agreed certain points to create the world’s biggest lineal park. This with the purpose of improve life quality of everyone.
Agreed points were:
- Free recreation for all inhabitants.
- Contribute to an improvement in physical and mental health of everyone.
- Improve environment with less noise pollution and improve air quality.
- “Mental Change” understanding that streets are public spaces and can have different uses according to the hour of the day, or day of the week.
- Social integration of citizens of all ages and social-economic conditions. Create a place where all citizens have no preferences. Some may have high end bikes, others may have an affordable option, but all have fun and have the same benefits.
The creation of the snake
The next phase on this project was the most ambitious to rescue the bike path in Bogotá. Fortunately, everything ran smoothly and nowadays is one of the most powerful and pioneer of its type.
Since 1995 to 2000, was improved an incredible economical and moral help to the project, achieving a better infrastructure and expansion.
Some of the most important achievements are:
- The expansion to most of the double of its original length. At the beginning this measured over 12 miles, with the improvement this great cyclist snake increased to 75 miles.
- This last caused bike path finally passed by scarce resource zones and not by medium high and high zones only. The road renovation achieved that in many occasions the average of participants was over a million and a half on Sundays and holidays of the year.
- It also increased the hours, from 7 am to 2 pm.
- Another addition were the Recreovías, public spaces over the route where are organized other sport and recreation activities.
- On December of 1999 was performed for first time the night bike road with over 3 million of participants.
Example for Latin America
If you’re not in Bogotá, maybe this project sounded familiar…Nothing weird considering that Bogotá bike route inspired to other countries. Likewise, many of them have leisure bike paths where every Sunday important avenues are closed during some hours to allow free cyclist circulation.
For example, Mexico introduced the Paseo Dominical Muévete en Bici (Sunday bike ride) in one of the most important avenues of the country, with recreation zones over the route.
These are organized during night where people assist with costumes and their pets.
Other countries and capitals adopt this activity as Santiago de Chile (Chile), Quito, Cochabamba, Caracas (Venezuela) and El Salvador. Even though, of course, more countries join to this activity.
Did you already ride in a bike path like these?
