A Safety Ride Goes Wrong

A group of bike readers on their way to the bike forum in Medellin.

On the road: Biking toward Medellin.
(Photo: Twitter)

To demonstrate their commitment to cycling, as well as travel in healthy, planet-friendly fashion, a group of 25 Bogotá cyclists decided to pedal the 450 kilometers from Bogotá to the Fourth Bicycle Forum, being held right now in Medellin.

Along the way, they would develop plans for safe cycling. After all, one of forum's presentations was to be 'Creating Safe Streets.'

However, safety issues became very concrete for the group when, early in the morning of Feb. 23, several of the group's riders were hit by a truck.

'This morning at 5:45 a.m. a truck ran over us,' participant Manuel Lancheros wrote on Facebook. 'Paula Alejandra Enciso and I ended up badly injured and lost our bicycles. We will continue our trip to Medellin by car. See you there!'

"My knees are banged up, my elbows are scraped," Enciso told El Tiempo.

Fortunately, their injuries were minor and both were released after a short hospital stay.

'I feel much better now,' Lancheros added the next day.

Ironically, the Bike Forum was founded in Brazil several years ago after a driver ran over some 20 cyclists.

Manuel and Paula in the hospital. (Photo: Twitter)

By Mike Ceaser of Bogotá Bike Tours.