Cars and cyclist relationship in Colombia

How’s the relationship between cars and cyclist in Colombia? Our road bike tours feature some of the most amazing roads you can find in Colombia. Most of the time it’s quiet roads with very little traffic. But due to the nature of the tours, the large portion of terrain we cover and, at times limited infrastructure, sometimes we have to share the road with bigger vehicles. Sharing the road with cars and occasionally trucks, can be daunting for many cyclists. Fear not. We have great news for you, the relationship between bikes and vehicles is perhaps the most positive relationship you can find in the world. We dive into the matter and explore this interaction. 

The cycling community

Perhaps one of the things that’s more surprising about Colombia is how deep the cycling community is. Colombia boasts a vibrant and passionate cycling community, with cyclists of all levels taking to the roads to explore the country’s stunning landscapes and challenging terrain. Any given day you will find cyclists roaming the roads, and that doesn’t go unnoticed by drivers who,  in consequence, will offer enough space to ride safely.  

We can assure that the relationship between Cars and cyclist in Colombia is extremely positive, more than in many other parts of the world were cyclist are regarded less of a hinderance by drivers.

Additionally, cycling is long ingrained in the national psyche. It’vs very hard to find a family that doesn’t have a family member who’s a cyclist. This works in favor of the whole cycling community as it’s easier for drivers to accept the presence of a cyclist on the road and in a way see their relative in the face of a stranger. 

Fun Facts

A fun fact about sharing the road is being constantly encouraged by drivers as you are climbing. They will either shout something like Vamos RIgo! Or Vamos Nairo! And then give a few honks of the horn. Kids in the cars will also be very prone to wave in admiration. 

Another striking fact about the relationship between bikes and vehicles  in Colombia is the constant presence of road signs pointing out the presence of cyclists and bikes. Sometimes the road sign is for a full suspension bike (fair to say, we are very dubious about the kinematics of the rear suspension). 

Navigating Challenges with Ease

Just as drivers aren’t going to run you over if they get stuck behind you on a climb, they will try to make it up by overtaking slower moving road users as soon as they get a chance, thus jumping on the wrong side of the road. If you happen to be on the receiving end of such a fault, stay calm, give them room, even if that means that they are in your lane and remember that you are just paying back the favor for a safe climb. As anything in Colombia, take it easy, it’s going to work out just fine. 

The main lesson

I guess that’s the key to the relationship between cyclists and drivers in Colombia: understand that the main rule is try to make ourselves flexible enough to give a rain check on each other. Unlike in some countries where tensions between cyclists and drivers run high, in Colombia, there is a remarkable level of cooperation and understanding.

Conclusion

The relationship between cyclists and drivers in Colombia is a shining example of how cooperation and mutual respect can flourish on the road. In a country with such a strong cycling culture, drivers are accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists and often go out of their way to show support and encouragement.

So, whether you’re navigating the bustling streets of Bogotá or tackling, riding from Bogotá to Medellín or Cartagena, or going after the challenging Alto de Letras, know that you’re part of a community where cyclists and drivers coexist harmoniously, making every ride a true joy.