Cyclists, lots of cyclists, are now able to beat the traffic in Colombia’s capital, Bogotà. A network of bicycle paths has transformed Bogotà into Latin America’s cycle city – thanks in part to Dutch expertise.

It’s true that, as far as Colombian people are concerned, bikes lack the allure of luxury cars and are rather looked down upon by the more well-to-do. Nevertheless, cycling is definitely the cheapest and quickest way to get around. Bogotà now boasts 322 kilometres of cycle paths which are used by about 110,000 people every day.

Family outing
On average, a resident of this huge city spends 132 minutes making the daily return car journey to work or school. Using public transport for the journey costs an average of three euros per day, around 15 percent of an average daily income.

Bogotà is situated on a plateau in the Andes, 2,600 metres above sea level. It now has the largest network of cycle paths in the whole of Latin America. And, on Sundays and public holidays, the city’s broad avenues become enormous cycle paths, with whole families on bikes - over a million people join in.

Race against the clock
Figures from the latest mobility survey carried out by Colombia’s DANE national statistics office tally with the result of the recent ‘Modes of Transport Race’ organised by Bogotà’s University of the Andes.

The race, over a distance of 9.2 kilometres right through the city, was won by Professor Jorge Sefair, on his bike. He covered the distance in just 25 minutes. Using a car, it took 35 minutes. A special bus did it in 40 minutes. With the Transmilenio public transport company, a whole hour was needed. “The theory was again confirmed: the bicycle is pollution-free, quick and keeps you fit,” says Professor Sefair.

Dutch bikers
The Dutch embassy in Bogotà has made a direct contribution to the construction of cycle paths, notably by making available Dutch expertise with regards to their planning and layout. During the embassy’s Queen’s Day celebrations last April, guests were asked to cycle the length of one of Bogotà’s most important cycle paths – wearing an orange shirt (orange is the Dutch national colour - the royal family is the House of Orange).

Other cities in South and Central America are also constructing bicycle infrastructures based on the authoritative ‘Manual de Ciclo Ciudades’ (Cycle Cities Manual) produced by the Netherlands.

Cars not welcome
Every Sunday, Bogotà’s major roads (about 121 kilometres) are transformed into cycle paths. They are taken over by cyclists, rollerbladers, walkers and even wheelchairs and prams, an endless crowd which spreads out into every corner of the city. What began three decades ago as a cautious experiment, is now an enormous car-free event which no one would dare to stop.

The cycle paths are supported by a network of a thousand volunteers, a couple of hundred police officers, a force of ‘security guards’, soft-drink vendors and service points for repairs and maintenance. Special platforms are set up along the cycle paths where public lessons in sports and aerobics are given.

(mw)