What is Ciclovia

Ciclovia is a Spanish word meaning bike path. These bike paths can either be permanent paths designated for bike riding or temporary paths or routes that are made by closing a street to automobile traffic in order to allow bike riders to dominate the street for a special event.

Sometime a permanent bike path is called a ciclo-rutas but a temporary path is always known as a Ciclovia and events using these temporary paths are often referred to as Ciclovia events. Bogota, Columbia is credited with the inspiration for Ciclovia events and the biggest events are held in this area. The rest of Columbia also takes part in many such events each year.

Each Sunday in Bogota certain city streets are closed to motorized vehicles and millions of bicyclists, walker, joggers, skaters and others turn out for some sunshine fresh air and exercise.

Ciclovia events are so popular because they encourage physical fitness and some of these events include jogging, skating and even outdoor aerobic to offer citizens a choice of healthy exercising during these events. This event has gained national attention and now other countries are following suit in staging such events. These events are not designed to be a race or contest of any sort but rather a way for neighbors to get together outside and enjoy a day of great exercise in a safe and friendly manner. It is kind of like a big block party on wheels.

Some of the other countries taking part in Ciclovia events are Canada, Australia, Ecuador and Mexico. The United States hold several such events in different cities and different states across the country.

Ciclovia Events in the United States

If you live in the United States and would like to take part in a Ciclovia event, you can check with the following cities and areas to see when their next event will held. Wayne County, Michigan, Cleveland, Ohio, Chicago Illinois, Portland, Oregon, El Paso Texas, Miami and Clearwater, Florida, San Francisco, California or Roanoke, Virginia.

With the ever increasing popularity of these events and the growing emphasis and healthy exercise you can expect that there will be many more cities adding Ciclovia events to their spring, summer or early fall events calendars.

The Mingling of Entire Communities

When the Ciclovia started in Bogota over 30 years ago the poor section of the city and the more affluent section would keep to their own neighborhoods, but as these events grew the boundaries dissolved and now rich and poor alike mingle freely while getting healthy exercise. This has helped to form bonds of understanding and mutual respect between people of different races and economic backgrounds.

Many other cities around the world are hoping for similar social bonding by putting on Ciclovia events. Offering not only a great way to exercise but a way for communities to come together as a whole in mutual understanding and respect. If successful these events could help build a better country and a better world for us all.