Plans such as the inclusion of 170 hectares of pedestrian public spaces, 400 hectares of facilities, local roads and public service networks, 415 km of bicycle and micro-mobility infrastructure and 40 km of bike paths, among other advances, place the city of Bogota as an example to follow in terms of sustainable mobility.
The aforementioned important measures have led the Colombian capital to be recognized by TIME magazine as one of the best cities in the world.
The publication highlighted the metropolis under the title of “The Cycling City” for its extensive offer to practice this micromobility activity, as well as its cultural offer and advances in sustainability.
Time noted that Bogota has added 52 miles of bike lanes to the 370 miles that existed during the pandemic, and the city’s altitude (8,660 feet) provides cool temperatures year-round, making it one of the most bike-friendly places in South America.
One example of the new 52 miles of bike lanes referred to in the U.S. media is the 13th Street bike path, which features a pedestrian strip, benefiting more than 7,400 cyclists.
Shared Mobility
The bike sharing system was also one of the details highlighted by Time magazine, not only because of its presence in the historic center of the city, but also because it is an initiative that also makes Bogota a more accessible space with more options for people with disabilities due to the different types of bikes available.
According to the official website of the Mayor’s Office of Bogota, there will be 3,300 bicycles in the system, which will be divided into 1,500 mechanical bicycles, 1,500 electric bicycles, 150 handcycles and 150 bicycles with boxes.
These bicycles will be located in 300 stations in the expanded center. The system will allow citizens to place a bicycle at one of the stations, ride it and then drop it off at another station.
On how the list of the best places in the world was put together, Time magazine explained that it solicited nominations from correspondents and contributors internationally “with an eye toward places that offer new and exciting experiences.”
Other places included in the Latin American ranking are Sao Paulo, Brazil; Salta, Argentina; Rapa Nui, Chile; Riviera Nayarit, Mexico and El Chaltén, Argentina.
