Ciclovia: Bogota’s Bicycle Day Provides a Fun Way to Tour

When I looked out of the expansive window from my room at the luxurious new Hilton Bogota hotel this Sunday morning, it appeared that cyclists had taken over the city. To a certain extent, they had — as they do every week, during a wonderfully eco-friendly event called Ciclovía. It’s a refreshing concept for a big city, and it’s also an interesting opportunity for a unique Bogota travel experience.

From 7am until 2pm every Sunday, several major thoroughfares around the city of Bogota are closed to motor vehicle traffic, opening up lanes for cyclists, roller bladders, joggers and local residents walking their dogs. You’ll see adults of every age and families out and about.

According to statistics, as many as two million people make use of the Ciclovía, a 35-year-old tradition that has become a symbol of Bogota’s increasingly eco-friendly attitude as well as its increased safety. The idea has gone over so well that it’s been introduced in cities elsewhere in Colombia and abroad.

Wheel-less visitors can rent bicycles from companies like Bogota Bike Tours, which also offers guided recorridos of the city.

Fast lane: Cyclists take to the streets in Bogota, Colombia during Ciclovía.

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About the Author

Mark Chesnut The founder and editor of LatinFlyer.com, Mark has more than 15 years of experience as a writer, editor and manager. He's worked with some of the biggest consumer, in-flight and travel trade publishers that cover Latin America.