Bogotá, Colombia features one of the best cycling infrastructures in the Americas. Last week was Bogotá’s Día Sin Carro 2008 (Car Free Day). This was the 10^th annual edition of the event, which also goes by the moniker Día del Aire Limpio (Clean Air Day). As a result of the event, the city estimated that 1,090,000 fewer cars cluttered the city’s streets.

Dia Sin Carro is the biking/walking/mass transit extravaganza for a city that already provides world-class support for these transportation methods.

Former mayor Enrique Peñalosa is well-known for his work promoting cycling, walking, and alternative transportation throughout the capital city. His Ciclovia program, which runs every Sunday and on all holidays from 7am to 2pm, converts 70 miles of city streets to non-motorized corridors. The weekly event also offers free exercise classes on 20 “Recreovia” stages sprinkled throughout the city.

Bicycles will assist the fleet of buses in providing transport. About 347 kilometers (215 miles) of ciclorutas (bikeways and closed streets that offer security for bicyclists) will be provided. As well, four enormous cicloparqueos (valet bike parking lots) will offer parking security in the central business district and at transit hubs.

See also El Tiempo for Spanish language coverage from Colombia.

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