Everybody loses this race: Cars block each other, TM buses and even a cyclist. |
The commuters started off from three different spots around Bogota and traveled to Los Andes' campus in La Candelaria. The cyclists finished first on all three routes, averaging 21.5 kilometers per hour - leaving them time to sip coffee and read the newspaper before the car drivers arrived, having averaged only 15.5 KPH, barely ahead of the TransMilenios at 15.3 KPH. The regular bus averaged only 13.4 KPH.
Going nowhere: Cars sit still by a TM line which is supposed to open in early 2012. |
The results, are of course, a huge condemnation of Bogotá's terrible traffic jams and a commentary on the insanity of crowding the city's streets with big polluting machines which often carry only one or two people. The situation will only get worse as more cars flood into the city.
Trying on BiciBog for size. (Photo: El Tiempo) |
Yet, the fact is, that commuters are using the bikes and appear to like them. Hopefully, Bogota and Medellin will both set up public bicycle programs. But for them to really succeed, they'll need to work on several fundamental problems, including reducing Bogotá's pollution and reducing its traffic chaos, both of which frighten non-cyclists from venturing out on two wheels.
Cycling central bogota at night. |
2 comments:
Riding in the city is so much faster than driving, or even taking a bus. I have a folding bike, so it's actually really easy for me to just put my bike in someone's trunk and get a ride if I wanted to, but the thing is, I'd almost always rather ride!
I really liked your Information. Keep up the good work. Caribbean all inclusive adults only
Post a Comment