A Ride Down La Cicloruta de la Decima

The newish Cicloruta, or bike lane, on Carrera Decima was built as part of the expansion of the TransMilenio line down that avenue. It's far from perfect, but we should be thankful to the city for building it - and, hopefully, maintaining it.

This bike lane heads south, past some rough, low-income neighborhoods. It also passes several old hospitals which have seen better days, one of which is vacant and the subject of dispute, as well as many small businesses. This area is just south of the city center and the seat of government, and the city has hopes of revitalizing it - altho that would mean displacing many residents. 

The bike lane is well marked on this section. But note the cyclist who prefers the street.

Watch out for the posts! Here it's missing a section. 

 

No space for cyclists in this section. The bike lane reappears, and continues down toward the 20 de Julio neighborhood. 

A TransMilenio bus competes with traditional ones on Carrera Decima. 

The bike lane was built as part of the construction of a TransMilenio line down Carrera 10. The project is way behind schedule.

A car doesn't hesitate to stop blocking the lane. 

...nor did this van. 

A pole in the middle of the lane means a tight squeeze for this delivery rider. 

The lane takes one past several crumbling old hospitals, including one that's closed. The city government has promised to fund the hospitals. 

Where's the bike lane? At least the sidewalk's wide. 

Small struggling businesses, like this pawnshop, along Carrera Decima. 

The rough San Bernardino neighborhood on the avenue's other side. Wander in there, and you'll lose your bike - and a few other things, too. 

Like many parts of Bogotá, air pollution is a chronic problem in this area. Here, a trash pile burns.

...and buses smoke away. 

Note the smoke plume trailed by this bus. The Presidential Guard doesn't seem to care. 

North of Calle 8 the bike lane disappears, altho one can detour into Tercer Milenio Park for a few blocks. Cycling on this stretch of La Decima is difficult.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Car-Free Day in Bogotá

A group of cyclists, mostly from the Universidad Central, on Ave. Septima.

Today wa Bogotá's annual Car-Free Day. Mayor Gustavo Petro gave the day a novel emphasis on bicycling by cycling to work himself, and creating a temporary bike lane on Ave. Septima and a Sunday-style Ciclovia on 26th St. 

But, while I saw more cyclists than normal, the two-wheeled turn-out seemed a bit underwhelming. 

A cycling poster that appeared today. 'I'll meet you pedaling over there. Let's hope they leave us our own lane.'

Cyclists make good use of the temporary bike lane on Ave. Septima. A good idea which should last. 

Cyclists on 26th Street, which was turned into a Sunday-style Ciclovia. But the turnout looked a little lonely. 

'Slow or with space?' A poster advertises car-free day. 

Exito supermarkets gets into it. 

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogota Bike Tours