Al Colegio en Bici: Bike-to-School Program in Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract

Bike-to-school programs are aimed at improving the daily travel experience and safety for young commuters and constitute an opportunity for behavioral shifts toward sustainable mobility. However, only a few cases of bike-to-school programs have been documented. The lack of information is especially critical in rapidly growing cities of the global south. This study documented a promising bike-to-school program called Al Colegio en Bici, implemented in Bogotá, Colombia. The program began in 2013, after a year of planning, and has provided improved access to public schools to low-income populations and gives children the opportunity to travel safely while using a sustainable mode of transport. More important, Al Colegio en Bici is expected to influence travel behavior in young generations and thus may positively affect health and reduce harmful emissions in the long run. The program and its implementation are described, and this account is expected to help other cities that are considering such programs as part of their plans for sustainable mobility and access to education.