Bicycle best way to move around Bogotá.

ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 14, 2009, 07:42:

webmanco says on May 14, 2009, 07:43:

Ciclorutas, I had not seem cars on ciclorutas. In Bogotá both pedestrians and cyclist need to be passive aggressive as well.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 14, 2009, 07:50:

adrimm (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 14, 2009, 07:53:

344 kilometres - off road

http://www.movilidadbogota.gov.co/admin/contenido/documentos/Mapa-cicl...

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webmanco says on May 14, 2009, 07:57:

The 45 minutes rule does not apply with a folding bike and Transmilenio and other public transportation.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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adrimm (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 14, 2009, 07:59:

adrimm (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 14, 2009, 08:00:

mranderson says on May 14, 2009, 08:15:

Colombianogringo...if it´s only 2km then why not a scooter? You´d get 100 miles to the gallon with a small cylinder engine. Save the wear and tear on the car for weekend use.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 14, 2009, 08:19:

webmanco says on May 14, 2009, 08:24:

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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mranderson says on May 14, 2009, 08:25:

A motorcycle is not as dangerous as a bicycle on roads because your going the same speed as traffic. When I go back to houston I´m planning on getting a motorcycle before a car. Besides, there are many tips and techniques to riding which can make it quite safe.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 14, 2009, 08:34:

mranderson says on May 14, 2009, 09:09:

You got a good point. You wouldnt be saving any money after paying for the motorcycle. That´s why it doesn´t make any sense to get a hybrid becuase of the extra cost of the vehicle. It would only save wear and tear on the car...keep the car in the garage all week, keeping your car nicer longer. You would only save money if you traded in the car for a moto which I´m sure you´re not about to do.

As far as being scared of the houston freeways...well, that´s because you´ve never done it (I´m assuming you´ve never ridden on houston freeways). Some people say the exact same thing about riding a moto in colombia but honestly I feel very safe commuting on my moto everyday here in medellin. Although you do have a good point with the soccer moms. People don´t pay as much attention in houston compared to medellin. But there are techniques for that. One of them, believe it or not, is aggressive riding and riding faster than traffic. Lane splitting is also a safer technique if done properly. But I think that´s illegal in houston.

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webmanco says on May 14, 2009, 09:30:

Exercise should be taken into account before savings.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 14, 2009, 09:33:

miamimike says on May 14, 2009, 09:42:

Webman--Good post! Here in Miami I rarely use my car. Always on my bike for trips under 5 miles and for the longer, our city buses have Bike carriers on the front for securing your wheels. Our Tri-Rail and Metro rails allow Bikes as well so you pretty much can ditch the car. One thing in Bogota which makes it a little difficult (otherwise then the ever present numb-minded car drivers) is that the Sidewalks have no curb cuts at each corner should you need to ride a stretch on the sidewalks. And some of those curbs are so high 8 inches-12 inches so no jumping one of those. At least not if you want to keep your rims in a somewhat true round shape.

Being an EX(capital letters) Motorcycle rider of 35 +years, Thruways/.freeways are actually safer then backroads and sidestreets in the city due to the fact the freeways have Limited access so no idiots running redlights, stopsigns or backing out of driveways. I'll take an Interstate any day of the week on a Motorcycle with Professional truckers compared to city streets jammed with thoughtless car drivers blabbing on a cell phone.

Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte de

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f3l says on May 14, 2009, 14:12:

html test

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f3l says on May 14, 2009, 14:13:

I have used the bike for a while now (all you have to do is being prudent and avoid highways)

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La_Huella says on May 14, 2009, 18:26:

The cicloruta here is AMAZING. And after riding a bike for 9 years in NYC, it's a HELL of a lot easier here, TRUST ME. Not only is the cicloruta much better than NY's pathetic attempt at bike paths, drivers actually respect bicycles MORE. It probably helps that when you drive here you have to look out for ANYTHING on the road, holes than can swallow a whole SUV, people with horse drawn carts, etc.

Yeah I ride in the rain. I wear a helmet and a waterproof sweater. No big deal. Much better than being in the heat.

Bogota is also really good for free bike parking. I had to go to the AR tower today in Usaquen, and lo and behold, bike parking! Free! I hear bikes get stolen all the time in Amsterdam too!

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gamm2 (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 14, 2009, 18:37:

Anyone know that people that does big group bicycle rides every other Wednesday? I recently took a long, unexpected ride on the ciclorutas (I expected to be on the ciclovia). I was definitely nervous because I am not used to riding a bike in the city with so many cars. It is annoying how the people walk on the paths and sometimes you have to drop down from the curb. Also they need to put lots more ciclo ruta in to connect things more. However I think its an awesome start and I would love to start using it more.

I posted these before, but if anyone wants to check them out.

http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/interview-with-enrique-penalosa-lo...

http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/

http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/lessons-from-bogota/

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La_Huella says on May 14, 2009, 22:36:

There is definitely room for improvement. They need to put a path from 92 south to 80 on the Autopista BADLY, and that piece at Suba and 94 is really effed up too!

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webmanco says on May 15, 2009, 05:02:

http://cicloaventureros.com/

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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adrimm (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 15, 2009, 19:13:

bicycletoursbogota says on Jun 19, 2009, 20:47:

Bicycling IS often the best way to get around Bogota, but not so much thanks to the city. Many of the cycle routes are useful, but others are poorly maintained, crowded with pedestrians or you have to dodge delivery vehicles. And crossing some avenues can be a drama. Also, the pollution and aggressive vehicles don't help. All that said, if you pick the right streets, it can be pleasant, and you're also getting exercise. I run a business, Bogota Bike Tours and Rentals, so I've got some experience in this.

Some traffic calming, a congestion tax and real emissions controls would do wonders for this city.

Mike

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goin_south says on Jun 19, 2009, 21:18:

Hey, web.... do you know where you can rent a bicycle-built-for-two in Bogota?

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goin_south says on Jun 19, 2009, 21:18:

'cuse me: BICYCLE-BUILT-FOR-3 (encluyo Sailor Jerry!)

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webmanco says on Jun 19, 2009, 22:09:

I know where you can buy one.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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