November's La Bicicletada

Cyclists ready to go!

For the last two years, students from Bogotá's Universidad Central have been organizing these monthly bicicletadas around various parts of central Bogotá. Their purpose is to have fun, see the city and encourage bicycle use, especially bicycle commuting. The last-Friday-of-the-month rides are open to students from all universities. The organizers told me they've motivated at least a few students to dust off their two-wheelers and head to school on them. Still, only a few dozen Central University students bike to school.

Today's ride, on bikes from Bogotá Bike Tours, visited the National Museum, Independence Park and the National Library.

See the slideshow on You Tube 

On a nice bike lane, or Cicloruta. 

Entering the National Museum

Outside the National Museum

In Independence Park. 

In Independence Park's information kiosk.

In front of the art-deco National Library of Colombia

Near the National Library.

A talk inside the National Library

Cycling back to the Central University, in the Las Aguas neighborhood. 

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Francisco Andres Buitrago Builds Bikes

Francisco Andres Buitrago designs these 'egronomic' bicycles. I tried them, and they are comfortable, altho they do require a bit of getting used to. The steering dynamics are very different from the bikes I'm used to. 

Buitrago's bicycles can be fitted with different-sized wheels and forks of various lengths. I was concerned, however, about how well the long handlebars would withstand the stresses of use. But Buitrago says his bike has held up for years of daily use. 

By Mike Ceaser of Bogotá Bike Tours

Bicycle Week Winds Up With a Mural

(Photos by Marriana Guhl)

Bogotá's Bicycle Week wound up last Sunday with the painting of a bicycle mural on 67th Street, just off of 7th Ave. (The supplies were payed for by Bogotá Bike Tours, which offers graffiti tours, and which might possibly make this mural part of our bike tours.) The grafiteros volunteered their time and skills.

The wall beforehand. 

The result, with the bike model. 

This mural, on Carrera 3 near Jorge Tadeo Univ., says 'I'm exercising thanks to the Nule.'* Unfortunately, I didn't see many bikes on this congested avenue. (El Toma Corriente makes electric and normal bicycles.)  

*The Nule clan had the initial contract for building the express bus line on Calle 26, but mismanaged it and allegedly pocketed public money. They are now in prison, as is Mayor Samuel Moreno, who issued the contract. 

Bici Polo in the Parque Nacional

Today in Bogotá's National Park, as part of Bicycle Week, these guys (and a few girls) played bicycle polo. Bike polo really is a real sport, with rules, a website and everything, altho it appears that it's more commonly played on grass than concrete. And, after just a little while watching, it seemed clear to me that it's much more deserving of Olympic status than are somnorific activities like golf and baseball.

Most players used fixed-gear bikes, which allow for more manueverability.



Congratulating after a goal! 



By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours