Comments on: Ciclovía: A Moving Experience in Bogotá, Colombia http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:55:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Mauricio http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-46537 Mauricio Tue, 25 Mar 2008 04:33:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-46537 Also a Colombian from Bogota here. Thanks very much for the video. It's very inspiring to watch the ciclovia even as you drive by it. The convergence of so many people from all walks of life is a testament to the modern and creative path Bogota has taken to set itself apart from the rest of the world. We may not have the most impressive, massive architecture, but the very idea of a ciclovia draws smiles and small nods of approval from foreigners, and people who see it are awed and stop to ponder the simple pleasures of life that this initiative promotes. No need for titanic and symbolic structures, this is designed for the masses, and the people make it what it is. Also a Colombian from Bogota here.

Thanks very much for the video. It's very inspiring to watch the ciclovia even as you drive by it. The convergence of so many people from all walks of life is a testament to the modern and creative path Bogota has taken to set itself apart from the rest of the world. We may not have the most impressive, massive architecture, but the very idea of a ciclovia draws smiles and small nods of approval from foreigners, and people who see it are awed and stop to ponder the simple pleasures of life that this initiative promotes. No need for titanic and symbolic structures, this is designed for the masses, and the people make it what it is.

]]> By: roger symonds http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-44480 roger symonds Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:24:35 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-44480 Fantastic. Only ever hear bad things about Columbia on UK news. Miles ahead of us with Ciclovia - maybe Mayor Livingstone might do it in London though! A really moving happy video. Fantastic. Only ever hear bad things about Columbia on UK news. Miles ahead of us with Ciclovia - maybe Mayor Livingstone might do it in London though! A really moving happy video.

]]> By: Bill http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-44010 Bill Sat, 02 Feb 2008 22:05:18 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-44010 "When they say "safer" people are mostly talking about when the civil war came to the city in the 1980s and 1990s. The upper and upper-middle classes were frequently targets of kidnapping for ransom and political reasons and there were car bombs throughout the city." Hardly any of the several thousand homicides that Bogota suffered around that time were political or to do with the 'civil war'. They were more related to this: "Though, Karla's dad was mugged at gunpoint outside our hotel, so there's still some crime there." "When they say "safer" people are mostly talking about when the civil war came to the city in the 1980s and 1990s. The upper and upper-middle classes were frequently targets of kidnapping for ransom and political reasons and there were car bombs throughout the city."

Hardly any of the several thousand homicides that Bogota suffered around that time were political or to do with the 'civil war'. They were more related to this:

"Though, Karla's dad was mugged at gunpoint outside our hotel, so there's still some crime there."

]]> By: Mark Stonehill http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-43485 Mark Stonehill Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:19:26 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-43485 Clarence, we LOVE your films! I show them to my friends and they give big smile. Keep up the good work! It is MUCH appreciated. Best, Mark (the TA intern from 2 summers ago) Clarence, we LOVE your films! I show them to my friends and they give big smile. Keep up the good work! It is MUCH appreciated.

Best,
Mark (the TA intern from 2 summers ago)

]]> By: andrea http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-43005 andrea Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:56:12 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-43005 i´m from colombia!!!.....this is great. thanks for interest, my country is beautifull...i love to be here... thanks andrea i´m from colombia!!!.....this is great. thanks for interest, my country is beautifull...i love to be here...

thanks
andrea

]]> By: Clarence Eckerson Jr. http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-42350 Clarence Eckerson Jr. Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:33:52 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-42350 Just want to say thanks for all the positive feedback here and at StreetFilms - well over 10K have watched in such a short time. I want to put this out there: we do make this available on DVD to any communities that want to try to push for this in their city. Just email info@streetfilms.org with an address and we will get one in the mail to you. We have already had dozens of requests for it. Just want to say thanks for all the positive feedback here and at StreetFilms - well over 10K have watched in such a short time. I want to put this out there: we do make this available on DVD to any communities that want to try to push for this in their city. Just email info@streetfilms.org with an address and we will get one in the mail to you. We have already had dozens of requests for it.

]]> By: Lynnea http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-42317 Lynnea Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:40:49 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-42317 This is great, we would love something like this in London, and I think it would work so well in the summer months. It's not that hard to do, because the roads are dead on Sunday's anyway, so it's prime opportunity to get people out and about, and because we have so many huge parks, we could hold excercise classes there, or have huge fitness stalls to get people going, give away bikes, repair bikes and sell other sporting goods. This is the way forward! Well done to Bogota for setting such a wonderful example and having such and inovative idea! This is great, we would love something like this in London, and I think it would work so well in the summer months. It's not that hard to do, because the roads are dead on Sunday's anyway, so it's prime opportunity to get people out and about, and because we have so many huge parks, we could hold excercise classes there, or have huge fitness stalls to get people going, give away bikes, repair bikes and sell other sporting goods. This is the way forward! Well done to Bogota for setting such a wonderful example and having such and inovative idea!

]]> By: Chris http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-42099 Chris Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:55:58 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-42099 GREAT video! added a link at http://cyclingedinburgh.info/2007/12/20/try-your-christmas-bike-in-the-park/ GREAT video!

added a link at http://cyclingedinburgh.info/2007/12/20/try-your-christmas-bike-in-the-park/

]]> By: Greg Cantori http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-42046 Greg Cantori Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:39:47 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-42046 You did an outstanding job showcasing this amazing weekly event. We were just there too. The Christmas nighttime 6pm to 12am Ciclovia is also something to experience with laser and fireworks and lights..... Lots of folks have been wondering what Ciclovia feels and looks like and you added that essential ingredient! Thanks! Greg You did an outstanding job showcasing this amazing weekly event. We were just there too. The Christmas nighttime 6pm to 12am Ciclovia is also something to experience with laser and fireworks and lights..... Lots of folks have been wondering what Ciclovia feels and looks like and you added that essential ingredient!

Thanks!
Greg

]]> By: Hilary http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-42016 Hilary Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:58:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-42016 Massachusetts is fortunate to have a DOT whose motto is "A parkway is a park with a road through it." Thanks to their Historic Roads Initiative, parkways like Memorial Drive are designed and appreciated as an integral part of the waterfront. Beautiful bridges, appropriate guardrails, Sundays for pleasure riding... just like the Bronx River Parkway in Westchester County. Massachusetts is fortunate to have a DOT whose motto is "A parkway is a park with a road through it." Thanks to their Historic Roads Initiative, parkways like Memorial Drive are designed and appreciated as an integral part of the waterfront. Beautiful bridges, appropriate guardrails, Sundays for pleasure riding... just like the Bronx River Parkway in Westchester County.

]]> By: Sara http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-42013 Sara Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:34:50 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-42013 As a cyclist, I love the idea of not dodging cars on major city streets. But like the comment below, I wonder how local business owners will feel about this, and who be outraged. As a cyclist, I love the idea of not dodging cars on major city streets. But like the comment below, I wonder how local business owners will feel about this, and who be outraged.

]]> By: David Loutzenheiser http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41406 David Loutzenheiser Mon, 10 Dec 2007 07:55:52 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41406 Would that be Oscar Diaz being interviewed in several clips? He was very kind to take me on the Cyclovia last year. A fantastic program indeed, not only the closure of streets but all the other activities that are provided along with the programs. Here in Cambridge MA, yes we still close Memorial Dr along the river on Sundays, but on some days can be fairly quiet without the other ancillary activities that Bogota provides. Would that be Oscar Diaz being interviewed in several clips? He was very kind to take me on the Cyclovia last year. A fantastic program indeed, not only the closure of streets but all the other activities that are provided along with the programs.

Here in Cambridge MA, yes we still close Memorial Dr along the river on Sundays, but on some days can be fairly quiet without the other ancillary activities that Bogota provides.

]]> By: María http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41379 María Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:33:04 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41379 It is very nice hearing that my City can become an example and an inspiration for other cities around the world. Regarding some of your comments I would like to say that Ciclovia can actually trouble the traffic sometimes, but this is a cost that we need to afford in order to been able to enjoy this space. I also would like to share, that besides the Ciclovia program which is been in place for more than 20 years now; Bogotá “recently” implemented the Cicloruta program by assigning special roads for biking. These roads are operating every day and makes possible for a lot of people to move from work to home and vice versa. It is very nice hearing that my City can become an example and an inspiration for other cities around the world.

Regarding some of your comments I would like to say that Ciclovia can actually trouble the traffic sometimes, but this is a cost that we need to afford in order to been able to enjoy this space.

I also would like to share, that besides the Ciclovia program which is been in place for more than 20 years now; Bogotá “recently” implemented the Cicloruta program by assigning special roads for biking. These roads are operating every day and makes possible for a lot of people to move from work to home and vice versa.

]]> By: Amber D. Evans http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41372 Amber D. Evans Sat, 08 Dec 2007 21:21:10 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41372 If NYC, Washington D.C., or Charlotte, NC had something like this once a month, I'd go there just to be a part of it. Events like Ciclovia should happen everywhere and I think it's a great way to see, know, and love your city and your friends and family in classic social-networking style! I'm going to try to spread the word! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! If NYC, Washington D.C., or Charlotte, NC had something like this once a month, I'd go there just to be a part of it. Events like Ciclovia should happen everywhere and I think it's a great way to see, know, and love your city and your friends and family in classic social-networking style!

I'm going to try to spread the word! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

]]> By: RAE http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41353 RAE Sat, 08 Dec 2007 02:46:49 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41353 Ottawa, Canada's capital, closes 65 km of parkways (roads running along the Rideau Canal and the rivers) to traffic every Sunday from May 1st to September 1st. I won't say it's as lively as the Columbian example, but it can get quite packed with cyclists, roller bladers, walkers and runners. Ottawa, Canada's capital, closes 65 km of parkways (roads running along the Rideau Canal and the rivers) to traffic every Sunday from May 1st to September 1st. I won't say it's as lively as the Columbian example, but it can get quite packed with cyclists, roller bladers, walkers and runners.

]]> By: Andrea http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41325 Andrea Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:47:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41325 I remember this from when I lived there in 1988 when one (very long) street was closed (Septima?). It was fantastic! I think the stores got more business since everyone was out and about not whizzing by on busses & in cars. I was also impressed that Cambridge,MA closed the river road (?) on Sundays for recreation when I lived there. don't know if they still do. I remember this from when I lived there in 1988 when one (very long) street was closed (Septima?). It was fantastic! I think the stores got more business since everyone was out and about not whizzing by on busses & in cars.

I was also impressed that Cambridge,MA closed the river road (?) on Sundays for recreation when I lived there. don't know if they still do.

]]> By: Rick http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41318 Rick Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:30:25 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41318 I think the socialization aspect of people mixing and walking, jogging and cycling together fills many human needs. When this is done family style it leaves a crucially important impression on our youth of the fun and importance of this exercise. In the North there are fewer opportunities to enjoy this for about six months of the year. At the HampshireDome in Milford, NH, USA they use multi surface types and lanes to walk, run, rollerski, rollerblade/rollerskate, bike, etc., and socialize indoors in comfort all winter long. It has proven a very effective solution to inactivity and winter boredom. Check out the website HampshireDome.com I think the socialization aspect of people mixing and walking, jogging and cycling together fills many human needs. When this is done family style it leaves a crucially important impression on our youth of the fun and importance of this exercise. In the North there are fewer opportunities to enjoy this for about six months of the year. At the HampshireDome in Milford, NH, USA they use multi surface types and lanes to walk, run, rollerski, rollerblade/rollerskate, bike, etc., and socialize indoors in comfort all winter long. It has proven a very effective solution to inactivity and winter boredom. Check out the website HampshireDome.com

]]> By: Clarence http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41255 Clarence Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:12:39 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41255 Elisabeth, Hey, StreetFilms makes their films available to groups or individuals worldwide for free on DVD to use for advocacy and enlightenment. Just send an email to info@streetFilms.org with you address and we'll get one in the mail to you. Thanks for the interest. Our site is being re-done and we will have a sheet folks can fill out to better request our DVDs, until then a simple email will do. Elisabeth,

Hey, StreetFilms makes their films available to groups or individuals worldwide for free on DVD to use for advocacy and enlightenment. Just send an email to info@streetFilms.org with you address and we'll get one in the mail to you.

Thanks for the interest. Our site is being re-done and we will have a sheet folks can fill out to better request our DVDs, until then a simple email will do.

]]> By: Elisabeth http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41254 Elisabeth Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:06:51 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41254 Is there any way of getting a copy of this or being able to burn it on a CD so that we can take it around to our communities without haveing to be hooked up to the internet? Please advise Is there any way of getting a copy of this or being able to burn it on a CD so that we can take it around to our communities without haveing to be hooked up to the internet?

Please advise

]]> By: Joe Hultquist http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41155 Joe Hultquist Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:15:17 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/03/ciclovia-a-moving-experience-in-bogota/#comment-41155 This is truly wonderful and inspiring. I was able to participate in Bridgepedal in Portland for the first time this August, and was blown away by it (in spite of the congestion on the second bridge - Ross Island?). This takes it to another level, and I'm not surprised to read in the comments that Portland is going to have what is probably the first Ciclovia in the States. I'm hopeful that Knoxville will be able to do something like this in the near future. Thank you so much for producing this inspirational video. Joe Hultquist 1st District City Councilman Knoxville, TN This is truly wonderful and inspiring. I was able to participate in Bridgepedal in Portland for the first time this August, and was blown away by it (in spite of the congestion on the second bridge - Ross Island?).

This takes it to another level, and I'm not surprised to read in the comments that Portland is going to have what is probably the first Ciclovia in the States.

I'm hopeful that Knoxville will be able to do something like this in the near future. Thank you so much for producing this inspirational video.

Joe Hultquist
1st District City Councilman
Knoxville, TN

]]>