Will Bogotá Take the Same Doomed Traffic Policy?

'Cars Asphyxiate the Cities of Latin America'

This headline in Sunday's El Tiempo was no news to those of us living in Latin American cities, who see scenes like the one below every day. 

Cars asphyxiate Bogotá: The scene
this afternoon on Carrera 19 in Bogotá. 

But the report, which talks about cities all over the continent, sends a broader message: Latin American cities have tried all sorts of things to control traffic congestion: subways, urban freeways, pico y placa laws, and they've clearly all failed.

Will Bogotá take the same doomed route? 

The only real, sustainable solution is not to build more road space, which is quickly filled anyway, but to reduce traffic demand. And the only proven way to do that is with a congestion charge. 

Will Bogotá's next mayor have the courage?

'Traffic in Latin America is Intolerable.' News to anybody?

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours