Cyclist, it doesn’t matter if you are a cycling professional or you just practice for fun or therapeutically… We are sure that at least once in your life you have been part of the Red de Ciclovías Recreativas de las Américas (Recreational Bike way Network of the Americas). Although, of course, yo may not even have noticed.
Don’t worry, because in this occasion we will talk about this program, where to find it and the diverse activities you can perform.
Wear your protection equipment and don’t forget your bike tool kit. We are about to go.
What is the Recreational Bike way Network of the Americas?
If you live in a city of Latin-America that already has a considerable quantity of cyclist infrastructure, is more than probable you have circulated in a recreational bike way. I am almost sure that your capital or municipality is part of this organization.
The Network of Recreational Bike ways of America is an international organization that gathers to individuals, organizations, cities and city halls of more than 20 countries in the American continent that use or has a recreational bike way.
This was founded in 2004 in Bogotá, Colombia. From then, their mission is generating and strengthening this class of bike paths to develop the creation of inclusive and healthy spaces for communities. Meaning, foster a healthy life through the use of sustainable transport by non-motorized vehicles, above all, the bicycle.
In short, is an international organization focused on the support and promotion to the creation of recreational bike ways.
It all sounds pretty good, right? Even though you might be asking: “Well, and with all that, what a recreational bike way is? We are on it.
The recreational bike way
The recreational bike way is a temporary bike path, but it works inside of a permanent program of cycling. A bit confusing, right? Relax, we are going to detail everything…
The recreational bike ways are streets or big avenues, that all Sundays and sometimes holidays, close the transit to vehicles for cyclists, skaters, runners and pedestrians to transit freely during some hours.
In this way, this bike path is active only during these days in a specific schedule, meaning its temporal. However, its appearance is all Sundays (unless the extraordinary occasions); due it’s part of a social program established in a permanent way.
What is their purpose?
The Network of Recreational Bike ways of America, and every cycling lane of this kind, has as a purpose to generate space where all people can enjoy of recreational and sport activities in a safe and also free of charge.
This ranges from doing some physical activity that can be from pedaling, to meditation exercises. This also, includes cultural and education activities that foster healthy and sustainable the co-existence and lifestyles.
For that, over the cycling journey, is common to find zones where attendees can take painting, dancing, yoga, cycling classes, find places to read and others.
It must be noted that these programs result inexpensive for governments, and a great advantage, considering the huge quantity of people that assist. The previous information, besides to foster health, develops the local economy. It’s practically a win-win.
Where are we located and who are part of the Network of Recreational Bike ways of America?
It could be said that all the promoters and organizers that develop this kind of bike paths are part of the Network of Recreational Bike ways of America. These can be individuals, public, private and civil sector organizations, universities and political and social leaders in support of sustainability. These are distributed in different countries, city halls and entities of LATAM, as Rosario (Argentina), Bogotá (Colombia), Santiago (Chile), Quito (Ecuador), Guadalajara and CDMX (México), Lima (Perú), Caracas (Venezuela).
Some of them in Mexico
Above all, we must say that the creation of these kind of programs and recreational lanes, are thanks to Bogotá and the implementation of its bike way in 1976. From that year, it has been held every Sunday in the country, and the idea was quickly adapted by others.
In Mexico, the most important bike way of this class belongs to the program Muévete en Bici. This has a constant expansion and break diverse records of assistance. Another example is the Vía Recreativa in Guadalajara, also with a high recognition. Morelia is other state that has a recreational bike way as Merida wit the Biciruta, this year just celebrated its 18th anniversary.
