Ciclovía at 50: What we can learn from Bogotá's Open Streets initiative

Livability is key to the quality of city life as we look to the future. We don’t have to look far into that future to see how this plays out on the streets.

On Sunday, 15 December 1974, a group of residents in Bogotá, Colombia, tried an experiment: they closed 5 kilometres of a major road in the city to cars for a few hours. Ciclovia, also known as Open Streets, was born. Since then it has become a reference, inspiring more than 400 cities to replicate similar programmes.

The concept is simple, though not easy to implement in car-centric cities: the temporary creation of more than 100 kilometres of car-free streets every Sunday and public holiday across a city with nearly 9 million inhabitants – 2 million of them come out to Ciclovia every week.

As we approach the 50th anniversary of Ciclovía, it’s time not only to celebrate but also to reflect on the lessons learned from the past half-century. This movement has reimagined urban living and in the next 50 years it could play a pivotal role in addressing the climate crisis and other global challenges.

Ciclovia is like having access to a living laboratory: it’s a chance to study how a city in the Global South with significant challenges has succeeded in creating a car-free environment, even if just for a few hours each week. The question now is how to take all the components of that successful experiment and turn it into permanent change.

Here are three lessons from the last 50 years which can inspire transformation in other cities around the world:

Like many major cities, Bogotá faces serious traffic issues. However, every Sunday, the city transforms into a network of car-free routes, where pedestrians and cyclists, followed by public transport, are the priority. Private vehicles can still travel through the city, but on restricted routes. This encourages people to avoid car travel unless absolutely necessary.

Experiencing the city by bicycle or on foot is transformative and residents cite the weekly Ciclovía as what encouraged them to start cycling to work or school during the week. The programme has also given the city impetus to build infrastructure that supports daily cycle commuting, resulting in one of the most comprehensive bicycle lane networks in Latin America.

While there is still much more that can be done to achieve a massive shift to cycling as a primary mode of transport, it has positioned Bogotá as a global leader in active mobility. As the programme continues to evolve, there is a great opportunity to explore new ways to expand a cycling culture, reduce emissions and show pathways for other cities, particularly in the Global South, with similar challenges.

While creating car-free cities may seem utopian, it’s becoming clear that moving in this direction is crucial to create livable cities that maximize space, amenities and resources effectively. From implementing congestion pricing and establishing low-emission zones to rethinking urban design, cities will continue to look for strategies that help us to reduce our dependence on cars.

Ciclovía is managed by the city’s Department of Sports and Recreation and its positive impact on public health has been well documented. Beyond cycling, walking and running, the city offers a recreational programme with free activities for everyone along the entire route. By utilizing streets, parks and other public spaces, Bogotá demonstrates how to promote healthy lifestyles.

In addition to promoting physical and mental well-being – offering an escape for people who are often confined to small apartments or hesitant to go out owing to crime and other concerns – Ciclovía presents an ideal picture of a healthy city.

Indeed, for a number of hours, it provides a respite from the daily fumes, noise and traffic and the constant threat of road accidents – a significant challenge in Bogotá and around the world.

One of the biggest challenges, often surprising to many in the Global North, is the issue of safety and security which can significantly hinder efforts to improve urban life. Fear of crime shapes everyday decisions. People might be reluctant to cycle or take public transport, for instance.

Clearly, taking cars off the streets alone won't solve this. However, Bogotá’s Ciclovía has demonstrated that the presence of more people on the streets fosters a sense of safety and shared space. There is evidence of a perceived sense of increased safety and the fact that people from different parts of the city travel freely to new parts of the city is testament to the environment it creates that is conducive to exploration that is not normally possible.

The roots of social breakdown that lead to crime, violence, mistrust and antagonism will not be fixed overnight, but creating an opportunity where people can interact and share space freely and safely is a powerful way to create new narratives and foster more cohesive societies.

As our cities draw up plans and invest to become more resilient, Bogotá offers a powerful example of practical, low-tech solutions that take advantage of existing assets, engage the community and demonstrate that less car-centric cities are not only feasible but also more enjoyable and beneficial for all.

Join us in celebrating this momentous occasion by participating in the international forum Ciclovía 50 years: past, present and future of cities at Los Andes University on 12 December.

You can also take part in the street celebration in Bogotá on 15 December or join the conversation online using the hashtag #Ciclovia50 or #Ciclovia50años.