So far this year, 38 have died. The figure for 2014 was exceeded by 18% cut to August.
In the first eight months of the year 38 cyclists died in traffic accidents and 799 were injured. Mutual aggressiveness and recklessness on the streets are the causes that are becoming more and more victims. Despite intense campaigns, the figures do not give up. (Graph: The most dangerous sections bike).
The map of the temperature of the accident shows that there are five sites with the highest mortality rates. Cyclists are in constant danger of death on May Avenue between Ciudad de Cali Avenue and 51st Street South.
The second point is on red alert Agoberto Mejia Avenue between streets 46 south and 42 souths. The third critical point is South 41st Street between races 89 and 91. The fourth is in the west of the city, the race 97 to 106 between 17th and 22. The fifth place is occupied by the race 91 between Calles 127C and 129.
Monica Davila, who ‘Wars’ street bike every day, is the leader of the group we pedaled. It recognizes that the situation in the city is difficult, especially for women, but warns that it will not stop mobilizing bike.
“There is mutual respect, the parts-conductors, pedestrians and cyclists, required, it generates spaces but no more, no traffic rules are met,” and warns that everyone must be in the proper place.
“We must create more education campaigns, respect, civic culture and appropriation of the city by all the inhabitants of the city,” said Davila, while urging greater security for women can move quiet bike.
Lillian Bohorquez, director of Road Safety Mobility Department, said that the biggest problems are at crossroads, intersections, and drew the attention of drivers to be careful when turning right.
“The number of users has increased. We went from 400,000 trips in 2011 to 650,000 in 2015. There is an increase in the numbers of deaths compared with last year. Difficulties have respect for the rules by drivers of motor vehicles, “said the official.
For the risks associated with these points is the fact that there are cyclists who do not use lights or safety vest because “look good”, or not use the helmet because “despelucan”.
But more serious is happening is making powers at night or ‘sprints’ among the vehicles, until the traffic lights and even pass it in red.
The authorities and organizations cyclists do a wake-up call to young people to prevent such practices.
The Mobility Department promotes, among other works, the implementation of bike paths on roads as the race 50 between 100 and 127 streets to safeguard the lives of cyclist’s stretch that has generated controversy among some residents who oppose the construction.
“The demarcated areas must be respected by drivers. We have to work in the pacification of the tracks. Drivers must learn to share and respect cyclists because they are vulnerable actors, “Bohorquez said.
Currently, in Bogota, a city that for over ten years leading the cycling theme that has become an example not only in Colombia but in Latin America, working in several campaigns.
Workshops are made with children 6 years who are taught all about the bike, with emphasis on safety guidelines.
Another exercise is role-play program where public service drivers spend on the bike and experience everything that happens to cyclists when they cast over them by car.
“There is a pilot project underway in the race 13. Portable speed reducers are installed so that drivers curb before turning,” he said Bohorquez.
The figures for accidents caused by drunk drivers are still the highest in the city. This is demonstrated by the statistics of the Department of Mobility.
In so far this year increased 9 percent, from 292 cases (January-August 2014) to 320 in the same period of 2015.
As for pedestrians without clothing with reflective tape who were killed, it was learned that in the first eight months of last year were 194 (11 of them minors), 20 victims less than the same period of 2015 (172, of which two are minor). However, the statistics remain high.