Bogotá Opens New Bike Paths for Families and Beginner Cyclists

This Sunday, more than 1.5 million cyclists are expected to take to Bogotá’s iconic Ciclovía network, maneuvering along city avenues temporarily freed from vehicle traffic. For families and novice riders, these safe cycling corridors are an increasingly prominent feature of weekend life in the capital.

The renewed focus on cycling safety comes as Bogotá’s outdoor wellness culture flourishes, fueled by mounting interest in accessible exercise spaces. With more people seeking active ways to unwind and connect with their communities-especially since the pandemic disrupted indoor routines-the demand for gentle, beginner-friendly bike routes has surged. Summer’s peak is also bringing parents out with children and prompting those new to cycling to look for stress-free, scenic routes.

From Ciclovía to Quebrada La Vieja: The City’s Best Family-Friendly Paths

Among the safest and most popular options is Avenida Séptima during the weekly Ciclovía, when 127 kilometers of road-including stretches through Chapinero, Teusaquillo, and Usaquén-are closed to cars every Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Over the last decade, the Institutó de Recreación y Deporte (IDRD)-the municipal recreation authority-has expanded these routes with clear signage, marshals, and first aid stations. Families can follow flat, shaded stretches between Parque Nacional and the leafy zone of Calle 116, with plenty of places to pause for juice or an empanada.

Another emerging favorite is the Parque Lineal El Virrey, a 3.2-kilometer path running east-west from Carrera 7 to Autopista Norte in Chicó. Completed as part of the city’s “Al Parque” initiative, El Virrey offers a leafy, car-free environment, gentle gradients, and ample playgrounds. For those seeking a taste of Bogotá’s green hills, the cycle-accessible entrance to Quebrada La Vieja, adjacent to Avenida Circunvalar, now has designated family hours on weekends, with security staff and bike racks at the start of the paved ascent.

The Numbers Behind the Biking Boom

The capital’s cycling infrastructure has seen a dramatic expansion since 2020, when city officials added 84 kilometers of temporary bike lanes to complement the existing 550 km of permanent ciclorutas. According to the Secretaría de Movilidad, participation in Ciclovía rose by 22% between 2022 and 2025, with nearly a third of riders under age 21. Rentals for family bikes and children’s helmets at shops near Parque Nacional now start at COP 8,000 per hour, with discounts for groups of three or more. Last year, the IDRD reported that incidents involving beginner riders dropped by 13% citywide on protected Sundays.

Plans are underway to extend protected bike paths in Suba and San Cristóbal later this year, including separate lanes for slower riders and adaptive bikes. The city will also pilot new “learning zones” in three northern parks, where professional instructors-backed by the Bogotá en Bici program-teach free safety workshops to children and adults every first Saturday of the month.

Beginner cyclists and families should stick to official city routes, check air quality updates from the Secretaría de Ambiente, and make sure all bikes have a working bell and reflectors; helmets are strongly recommended for all ages. Organised rides and guided tours can be found via the IDRD’s website or by visiting the Bogotá en Bici stands at Parque El Virrey and Parque Nacional every weekend. As more Bogotanos take to the cycleways, local officials urge patience and courtesy as the city pedals ahead on its two-wheeled transformation.