Cyclists in the Colombian capital claim their right to use the road

Cyclists risk death from trespassing on their lanes.

From the source

Cycling is booming in Colombia, in the midst of the Corona epidemic, but cyclists have to defend themselves at times, against the aggressive behavior of motorists.

Andy Villalba, who works as a bicycle mechanic in the Colombian capital, Bogota, has long held wisdom in facing the dangers of cycling in this chaotic city.

Now with a boom in bicycle use, he is providing riders with bicycle repair in his workshop, as well as teaching them the art of self-defense.

"The most effective way to avoid violence on the road is to avoid physical confrontation," says Villalba, 33, "but if it's inevitably about that, the bike lock chain is your best friend."

"Hold the chain in your hand, and use the bike frame with the other hand, like a shield," he says.

Villalba also advises cyclists to network with each other, avoid slow bike paths at night, and cover any expensive brands on their bikes with stickers.

Although bicycle-related violent crime has decreased dramatically in Bogotá over the past two decades, thefts are still a daily occurrence.

From January to September this year, 8,023 bicycle thefts were reported, a 36% increase over the same period the previous year.

Some riders carry baseball bats and batons to protect themselves.

"Carrying batons and weapons is necessary in some of the most dangerous neighborhoods on the outskirts of town, but the chains of closures are just as good," says one rider, Jaime Merchow.

Across the country, cyclists united in anger this month, after a cyclist and security guard, Jose Antonio, was killed by a truck driver while walking on a bridge north of Bogota.

Footage of the accident spread widely, as a truck was shown heading straight towards him, throwing him on the railing, falling 4.5 meters on his head.

A common complaint of riders is that other road users are not taking into consideration their presence.

In Bogotá, motorists routinely ignore the use of signals, and all road users turn on red lights.

A law passed in 2016 granted cyclists more rights on the road, although motorists often harass riders in their lanes.

Follow our latest local and sports news, and the latest political and economic developments via Google news