Ciclovia: Bogotá, Colombia
Recently, I had the opportunity to travel with comrades Karla Quintero (Transportation Alternatives) and Aaron Naparstek (Streetsblog) to Bogotá, Colombia to document some of the amazing advances going on in the livable streets movement there. On Sunday we spent the entire day - from 5 AM 'til nearly 5 PM - riding bicycles around the city courtesy of the Ciclovia, a weekly event in which over 70 miles of city streets are closed to traffic where residents come out to walk, bike, run, skate, recreate, picnic, and talk with family, neighbors & strangers...it is simply one of the most moving experiences I have had in my entire life.
I shot with no plan, not knowing much of what was coming up next while we rode our bikes, just trying to capture the event in the moment. We were aided tremendously by the indefatigable Gil Peñalosa, Executive Director of Walk and Bike for Life (yes, brother of Enrique, the former Bogotá mayor.) Gil and his friendly support crew booked us an ambitious schedule and provided unparalleled access to people and places, allowing this mini film to be so much more than I had planned. And dare I leave out our StreeJ Karla Q, who was just so great on the mike. I think we came up with something very special and fun that will hopefully support and propel this movement forward in U.S. cities.
What immediately comes to mind when I think back to our trip were the ubiquitous smiles on everyone's faces wherever we went. Nearly 1.8 million Colombians out using the Ciclovia and Recreovia to de-stress, get healthy, and connect personally with their fellow citizens. Young or old, rich or poor, pedestrian or cyclist - in Bogotá everyone loves the Ciclovia.
Just to get a grasp on just what this could be like in NYC: imagine the once-a-year Bike New York event in May, multiply the number of participants by over 30, double the mileage of roads closed to cars and leave them that way for a full seven hours, make the event free, and then do it every Sunday - and holidays!(Note: this is the first of multiple reports from Bogotá. In the near future, look for a short(s) on BRT, cycle paths, Bogotá life and parks.)
What a terrific film! Very inspirational!
Here in Budapest, Hungary there are about 9-10 marathons or other running events a year and some politician wants to ban them so the cars have more space and there will be less traffic jams. I think it's a terrible idea, I wish we'd like to be like Bogota.
Hello. As user of the Ciclovia and especially of the Recreovia National Metropolitan Park "Enrique Olaya Herrera", me full with pride seeing the kind face of my city, the tolerance, the respect and the peace that one has in these recreation spaces.
Documental as these, they are those that have to observe people interested in finishing these programs, in eliminating a space of peace, people that think of their personal well-being and not the singular.
To the one that reads this comment and he/she doesn't make physical activity I invite it so that this city is enjoyed that beautiful BOGOTÁ are!!!
http://www.recreovia.spaces.live.com
Great job looks like you all had a good time doing this film.
Now what can we do to get this started in New York?
Ed
This is crazy. Why don't they speak English in Columbia. This is the Americas!!!! Seriously, nice job.
This is really great. I'd love to see this tried in the outer boros first before implementing in Manhattan. Maybe around Astoria or Bay Ridge.
[...] that will hopefully support and propel this movement forward in U.S. cities.Read more of Clarence's thoughts on Ciclovía here. Filed by Clarence Eckerson Jr. under Out of Town, Urban Planning, Quality of Life, Public [...]
You GO, Clarence! Now if we could just get NYC to dump the #7 for light rail/trolley cars...............
Cudos...! how civilized, how inspiring!
This is the same comment I left over at Streetsblog.
I wonder if the claim by the one guy towards the end that "the city is becoming more tolerant" can be proven with some stats.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if there are some statistically significant findings that can prove that crime in the city has dropped since the start of the program?
If so, this would put another notch in the old claim that bicycling can save the world; one that I never would have thought possible.
Esa es otra de nuestras realidades colombianas, innovar y trabajar por la gente, la ciclovía es un espacio espectacular y necesario para el desarrollo de ciudadanía y construcción de ciudad y sociedad. Ojalá todos lo paises puedan pensar en darle esto a sus gentes y que Colombia amplie esta estrategia a todas sus ciudades. La ciclovia es lo mejor y mi bici mucho mas !!!
"Mindblowing" may be a trite cliché, but it accurately describes my own Sunday ride in Bogotá. Thanks, Clarence, for providing another great film!
Great film! I live in Portland, OR where we will be implementing our own ciclovia-like experiment this June. Nice to see what there is out there to aspire to.
I'm proud of those programs in Colombia... as a bogota citizen I really enjoyed the ciclovia an it's a sample of how the city is being developed.
Great Video! As an Avid Biker here in Miami, I feel envious we don't have a similiar program in our fair City. Not to mention the Transmilenio(sp?)Rapid Bus system. Bogota is light years ahead of Miami in these two aspects, makes you wonder which City is more of a developed Community when you see Transportaion Advances such as these. To Miami's Credit, they are studying the Transmilenio Express Bus Concept to allevaite the Congestion we experience daily. To me these are No Brainers(ciclovia and transmilenio) as the needed infrastructure is already inplace. Thanks for the Great Video; Publicity to promote the Positive aspects of Colombia such as this cannot be bought at any price!
I thought I'd translate the comment by Monica Davila V on 4 December 2007:
---
This is another of our Colombian realities, innovate and work for the ( good of the ) people, the Ciclovia is a spectacular space, and it's necessary for the development
of the citizens and the construction of the city and society. Hopefully all countries will think about giving their people this, and hopefully Colombia will augment this
strategy in all it's cities. The Ciclovia is the best, and my bike so much more!!! -- Monica Davila V
this is a great video, how come it's not offered as an embedable video for people to post directly on their own blogs?
Jason,
All of our videos are available to embed....just click on the page and all the info is there.
http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/
In this case, just use the following link and scroll down, you'll find the code. We wholeheartedly encourage the sharing and posting of our stuff. We are in the business of changing the world.
And thank you everyone for all the great comments thus far left here and the 100s of others on other blogs posting Ciclovia.
Clarence
[...] everywhere. Their most recent blog post documents the livable streets initiatives going on in Bogotá, Colombia. The above video is a 30 minute love-fest for for Portland’s bike and pedestrian-friendly [...]
! Viva ciclovias !
To see a bit about Portland's effort to mount a similar event in 2008, check this webpage:
http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=46103
Thanks Clarence and StreetFilms for saving us multiple-thousand words with your excellent moving pictures.
[...] Posted by chdot on December 20, 2007 StreetFilms [...]
[...] http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/ [...]
[...] factories in Argentina to the citizens of Bogota, Columbia taking back their streets with the Ciclovia. “Every Sunday and holiday, every week, the City of Bogotá, Colombia closes down over 70 [...]
[...] * Note: If you’re a bicycle promoter, you must check out when they are doing in Bogotá. Watch this video and tell me you don’t want something like this in your town: Ciclovia: Bogotá [...]
Great work, Bogata; we should have Cyclovia in Vancouver!
Congratulations, for this beautiful job!
This video should be showed to all city mayors with more than 200.000 hab. Our planet need breath and we need health.
This is a cheapy way to give our help to save the planet with happy people,that finish the sunday thinking to the next sunday/holiday.
You've probably figured out by now that I'm very anti-car. I'm not militantly against cars, but I don't like them. But I do rent and drive every now and then. Still, I love the third world and the things they do, like this.
The Ciclovia has become a major community activity with 1.5 million people enjoying the traffic-free boulevards on an average weekend. Another term for this concept is “Sunday Parkways”, and they’re coming to Portland this summer. The City of Portland has put together two Town Hall meetings for neighbors to learn more about the event which will come to our area (thought not through Woodlawn).
[...] Vea el video de la Red de Ciclovías de las Américas: http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia [...]
Folks,
Please keep the comments coming. I appreciate the wonderful feedback you all keep providing. And please do not forget that if you need a copy of the video on DVD to show to rally for Ciclovias in your neighborhood, please let us know.
Hello Clarence
I am Freddy, user of the point of aerobicos of the Recreovia National Metropolitan Park "Enrique Olaya Herrera" that at the same time makes part of the circuit of the system Ciclovia of the city of Bogotá. D.C..
Clarence that so probable it is to have a copy of the video of Ciclovia? I thank the borrowed collaboration ahead of time and at the same time he/she forgives the nuisances, a hug from Bogotá, D.C.
Boy, if I could show one film to Bloomberg, this would be it. So cheap and easy to implement, such amazing benefits.
Great video! I was in Bogotá in October, for the first time in many years, and found the place very changed in many positive ways. At the National University there are now also free bicycles so that students, faculty and university employees can ride across the very large campus.
I have done a similar project in Cleveland the past two years. We got a ton of media including a short feature in Continental Airlines inflight magazine. For a 4-minute video and more media (including an good general article on car-free initiatives) go to http://www.walkroll.com/#Scrapbook.
I have just discovered this site and it looks great!
We are planning the first "Cleveland Bicycle Week" and one of the activities is "Bike to the Movies." Can we show some of your fantastic films?
Me gustaría ver mi ciudad así aunque fuera una vez a la semana (VIDEO)...
A la gente le gusta andar, pasear, ir en bici, disfrutar de una ciudad sin humos. Os imagináis las avenidas de vuestras ciudades libres de coches. En algunos sitios del mundo, empiezan a experimentar. ¿Nos dirigimos hacía eso que llaman "ciudad...
Awesome! Dean sent me a link to a video and blog post about how the city of Bogota, columbia closes some streets EVERY SUNDAY from 5 am to 5 pm .... They are big streets! 4 lanes! It’s looks like a blast! [...]
[...] Bogotassa, Kolumbian pääkaupungissa, homma toimii juuri siten. [...]
I visited family in Colombia in December of 2006 and was so impressed with the Transmilenio and all of the new urbanization redevelopment taking place in Bogota. I am currently on a planning committee in the State of Maryland-United States, in Montgomery County (just outside Washington, DC) and we are studying a Light Rail or Rapid Bus Transit option for a community called Germantown, Maryland...
WoW! I wish this would happen here in richmond, va. People spend more time in their cars in northern virginia than any other place on earth. It's very sad. Especially with the rising population and gas prices not getting any cheaper, ever!
[...] Every Sunday and holiday, every week, the City of Bogotá, Colombia closes down over 70 miles of roadways to cars and let people bike, walk, talk, exercise, picnic, sunbathe. Just watch the video, it’s amazing. [...]
[...] Ciclovia Bogotá, Part I (9:41) [...]
[...] read more about Ciclovia, take a look at http://www.streetfilms.org. And for some background on what’s happening in the UK along similar lines, take a look at [...]
que linda que es mi colombia y mi bogota que progresa dia adia felicidades a los de la ciclovia
Cari Amici, poter vedere come una comunità lontana migliaia di Km al di là dell'Oceano riesce a dare l'opportunità ai suoi cittadini di poter usufruire tranquillamente di spazi pedonali, piste ciclabili, etc, lasciatemelo dire è commovente, vorrei invitarvi a visitare Taranto(Italia), che sa offrire 3 ponti ai suoi cittadini forniti di automobili a carburante, il I° ponte è di pietra. il II° ponte è di ferro, il III° ponte è di cemento. Bogotà batte Taranto 1-0.
http://www.giovannirossettiicaretar.splinder.com
[...] And Portland, Oregon, is starting its own festival, Sunday Parkways.After the inspiring success in Bogotá, Portland community members joined with the Portland Office of Transportation to plan [...]
[...] writing a post about this entry http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/trackback/ Stay [...]
Terrific, maybe this can come to Cleveland, Ohio soon.
[...] some fun together! To see Ciclovia/Sunday Streets in action, take a look at this 9 minute film: http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/ [...]
Streetfilms: Ciclovia in Bogotá, Colombia...
Following up yesterday’s post about how my neighborhood used to be a bike track, I figured that I should follow-up the entry with something bicycle related. I saw this video a few months ago and even sent it to my old Urban Geography Profess...
[...] Watch the video about the Bogota Ciclovia. [...]
[...] more on streetfilms (by the way a great page to get impressions of cities from all over the world, films [...]
[...] Ekerson’s street film about Ciclovia is viewable here. [...]
So Exciting! Beautifully made film. I can't wait for this to come to Portland, Oregon. Thanks so much for your great example.
I forwarded this to elected officials in Hialeah, FL - Miami Dade County.
[...] conference is followed by Portland’s very first ciclovia, which the city is calling Sunday Parkways. Next Sunday, June 22nd, from 8am to 2pm a big chunk of [...]
[...] by Ben Fried With several cities in addition to New York exploring the idea of car-free events modeled after Bogotá's Ciclovía, Streetfilms produced this "express version" of their popular full-length video. [...]
[...] Ciclovia once a year. But my problem with this event is the people who say things like this from Streetsblog: Just to get a grasp on just what this could be like in NYC: imagine the once-a-year Bike New York [...]
I enjoyed this video thoroughly. Firstly because it showed the great thing which has been achieved in Bogota, secondly because it was made in a fun way, with the crew cyling along, interviewing people who take part in the ciclovia and showing the scenery and finally because it showed a positive face of Colombia for a change.
Well done and keep the videos coming!
Can we use the text of the video (with due acknowledgement) for an exercise in a book on teaching Spanish?
Angela
I love the third world and the things they do, like this. The most important reason about why we're in this mess in the first place is the autos...
[...] This is but a shortened version of a longer piece all about the amazing Cyclovia in Bogota. You can check that out here. [...]
[...] Francisco is planning two Ciclovia inspired street closures in September: Car-free parties planned for [...]
[...] easy on the eye, a former employee of Parsons Brinkerhoff, Janette Sadik-Khan actually knows what Ciclovia is about. They’re doing something like it in New York next month. God knows when we’ll get [...]
[...] month in Portland, Oregon they held a first Ciclovia-style street closure, Sunday Parkways, which despite poor weather early in the day, was a huge [...]
[...] Ciclovia: Bogotá, Colombia (33,005) [...]
[...] The event is very similar to other great worldwide street happenings we have brought you - from Ciclovia in Bogotá, Colombia to Sunday Parkways in Portland, Oregon. In NYC on three consecutive Saturdays [...]
[...] Streets will finally be upon us. To build up the anticipation just a bit more, we're re-posting this classic from the Streetfilms archive. The spectacle of a 6.9-miile car-free route in the middle of [...]
[...] Ciclovia: Bogotá, Colombia (9:41) [...]
Very inspiring! Nice work.
We're looking forward to our first "2nd Sunday" in Lexington this Sunday!
I think this is a fantastic idea. I wish the cities in southern California would pull theirs heads out of the cave and be proactive like Bogota. If all else fails, maybe I'll just have to to go Bogota to enjoy such an experience if it never comes to southern Cali.
Bogota COLOMBIA instead of COLUMBIA
Bogotá's Ciclovia is great! And I should know, since I live here and have a bike tour and rental service. It's not only Sundays, either, but also holiday Mondays, of which there are many here.
Last year, a legislator tried to shift the Ciclovía's schedule from the current 7 am to 2 pm to 5 am to 12 noon. Fortunately, the unpopular measure failed.
The Ciclovía isn't just bicycles, by the way - lots of joggers, skaters, walkers, etc etc. It's nice seeing families enjoying it together.
Saludos,
Mike Ceaser
Bogotá Bike Tours
[...] initiatives include the Ciclovia, a model for San Francisco's own Sunday Streets program, and an expansive Bus Rapid Transit system, [...]
[...] one features a guest turn from Gil Peñalosa, one of the masterminds behind Bogotá's inspirational Ciclovía. Comments are [...]
[...] and its treatment of bicycles is no exception. Miles of safe, segregated bike paths and Sunday Ciclovía events (where main throughways are closed to cars) make Colombian cyclists very [...]
I´ve been living for a year in Bogotá and it is difficult to describe the sense of freedom that produces to go on ciclovía. The entire family goes out down the ciclovía with pets, skates, skateboards, bicycles.... even little kids along with their parents in small gass engine powered vehicle. This is something to be done in the entire world!!!!!
This Sunday, I´m off to ciclovía with my skates.... see ya.
[...] by Bogota Columbia’s Ciclovia and documented by Streetfilms where 70 miles of roadway closes on Saturdays and Sundays in an effort [...]
[...] on the recent post concerning the Summer Streets Program in NYC. betocorrea provided a link to a Streetsfilms piece on a program in Bogotá, Colombia known as [...]
[...] text accompanying the following video on the Streetsfilms site states that Ciclovia is [...]
[...] set aside streets for bicycles and pedestrians - if you’re not familiar with it, I recommend this short film. I think Colleen’s design does a nice job of feeling both old fashioned and [...]
[...] Bogotá, Colombia, is often credited with starting ciclovias, which means “bike path” in Spanish. Every Sunday more than 70 miles of Bogotá’s streets are off limits to cars from 7am to 2pm. The city of Madison marked off 6 miles, including the scenic John Nolen Drive, which lies between Monona Bay and Lake Monona. The bike path on John Nolen Drive is a weekly route for me. But it was so different, so exhilarating, to be on that street–with no cars. It was like being in a science fiction movie, post-apocalypse. (I wasn’t expecting the apocalypse to be so tranquil.) Musicians—a bagpiper, a drummer, and a saxophonist—took advantage of the acoustics of the tunnel below Monona Terrace. The atmosphere was downright giddy. Creativity abounded—-dancers transformed the dreaded concrete island between traffic lanes into a performance space. Kids and adults drew pictures with colored chalked in the middle of the street! For the most part bicyclists were cruising along. The lack of cars made everyone slow down. Jovial cops held car traffic for us. The skeptical skateboarder snapped photos. Was the long-running battle between cops and skaters coming to an end? It was easy to think that since they both were so friendly to each other. But the truce was short-lived. At 2:15 pm, cars and buses were back and the cops yelled at the skateboarder. People were still talking about it at the eastside farmer’s market a few days later. One farmer kept saying how much fun she and her infant daughter had. Would the city do it again? We all hoped so. How about first Sundays of the summer months? San Francisco expanded its Sunday Streets days from two last year to six this year. And NYC closed streets to cars from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. August 8th, 15th, and 22nd. Madison is known to be a bike friendly town, but our ciclovia made us want more. Bicycles, ciclovia, Madison, Ride the Drive [...]
Great job! I want this in my city.
It's films like these that make me embarrassed to live in Los Angeles.
I'm really impressed and has a lot of interest in developing such event in my country. Great job Colombia!
Cayman boy!
[...] -Ciclovia! http://www.streetfilms.org/ciclovia/ [...]
What a beautiful story of increasing community! And a wonderful way to cut down on pollution, and increase personability, and creating an opportunity for families and friends to spend hours and hours in shared recreation, picnics, and exercise. Such a great example of focusing on what really matters--family, community, health--which translates into greater contentment. As one of the speakers observed, people are happier all the time--because they're focusing on relationships and community--which leads to happiness.
All my best,
Pamela
Pamela Hawley
Founder and CEO
UniversalGiving
http://www.universalgiving.org
Living and Giving Blog: http://www.pamelahawley.wordpress.com
I couldnt imagine a better idea. This is very intuitive for Columbia and a great way to help keep obesity rates to a minimum. Who knew not being capitalistic could be so much fun
[...] upcoming Sunday, February 21, for the first time ever, Mumbai is holding a Car Free Day, similar to Ciclovia in Bogotá and Summer Streets in New York City. The all-day event is organized by the [...]
[...] city had ever organized such an event, modeled after popular car-free days in other cities, such as Ciclovia in Bogotá and Summer Streets in New York City. About 140,000 people attended the community-based [...]
[...] on the Internet, shares some photographic tips. Biking in Dallas wonders about the possibility of a Ciclovía in that Texas city. And FABB Blog has the scoop on a car-free challenge from The Bike [...]
[...] this is a great idea. To further motivate DDOT to implement this plan, we’re re-circulating this Streetfilm on Ciclovía, Bogotá’s wildly successful car-free event that inspired Summer Streets and [...]
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I really enjoyed seeing this short video. I actually live in Atlanta GA, I'm a college student and I'm majoring in Political Science. The reason I'm majoring in that because I truly believe that the U.S. should promote what Colombia does; ciclovia. In fact, it's sad to see how the government doesn't see the necessity to implement this great way to keep a clean planet. NOt only a clean planet, but also to unite communities through this awesome idea. I'm a #1 suppoter that U.S. should have this type of outdoors because U.S. comsume too much energy as well as oil. Great job guys, keep the good work!
[...] lanes. Today Miami had another successful Bike Miami event that closed down streets and created a Ciclovía type atmosphere in the city’s [...]
[...] Streetsfilm video of Ciclovia in Bogotá: [...]
[...] And in Bogotá, Columbia, where it Ciclovia started: [...]
[...] Watch this incredible movie about Bogotá’s weekly ciclovías. It is one of the most inspiring pieces of footage and an antidote to most every other news clip you’ve seen this year. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this.* [...]
Thank you so much Clarence for showing to the world this amazing video and article. The ciclovia is a major activity here every sunday and holidays. Theres nothing like going out, ride a bike or skate or even jogging, and been able to enjoy the city without having to worry about getting hit by a car or a bus. Its something that big cities like New York is missing. I recently went to NYC and the wished there was a ciclovia to be able to enjoy all the city, not only the parks and most tourists zones. Let's hope they will add this really cool system so you can just enjoy all the city. Greeting from Bogota.
[...] Fuente:streetfilms.org Compartir este artículo: [...]
[...] Ciclovía closes 76 miles of roads in the Colombian capital for one day, not every year, not every month, but [...]
[...] open only to pedestrians and bikes this weekend. When I was down there I began to think about Ciclovias, and Sunday Parkways. I began to think how awesome it would be if Provo did something like this [...]
[...] Separated Bike Lanes 107,812Ciclovia: Bogotá, Colombia 89,942PARK(ing) Day San Francisco 2006 60,709Summer Streets 2008 (NYC) 53,520Bus Rapid Transit: [...]
I really love this video. One because i am colombian and two because I own a european bicycle store right in San Francisco. Love to see this happening in Colombia. Its a great outreach program, its green and its fun!
[...] In Bogotá, Colombia they have a weekly event in which over 70 miles of city streets are closed to traffic. [...]
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