Bogotá by bike: why this city is best explored on two wheels
Bogotá has over 550 kilometers of cycle routes, and that's no coincidence. Since 1974, when a group of dreamers took to the streets on a Sunday to claim space for pedestrians and cyclists, the city hasn't stopped pedaling. Today, the Sunday Ciclovía is the largest event of its kind in the world, with over 100 kilometers of roads closed to cars every Sunday and holiday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. But it doesn't stop there: on weekdays, thousands of Bogotá residents use bikes to get to work, study, or simply enjoy the city at a different pace.
If you're visiting or have been here a short time, the bike is the best tool to understand Bogotá. Not only because it saves you from traffic jams (and there are some ugly ones), but because the city looks different from the handlebars: the smells of freshly brewed coffee on corners, the sound of bands in parks, the fresh air from the eastern hills. In August 2026, with the cycle route network increasingly connected and the public bike system running at full speed, there's no excuse not to get on a bike.
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That said, Bogotá is not Amsterdam. You need to know where to go, at what times, and how to do it safely. This guide tells you about the routes worth taking, the corners only visible from a bicycle, the workshops where they fix your bike without robbing you, and the communities that will welcome you with open arms (and maybe a coffee in hand).
Sunday Ciclovía: 100 kilometers of party on wheels
The Ciclovía is a Bogotá ritual. Every Sunday and holiday, the city closes its main avenues so people can go out to walk, run, skate, and above all, pedal. It doesn't matter if it rains or the sun beats down hard: the locals go out. And you should too.
The main route runs along carrera 7, calle 26, calle 13, and Avenida Boyacá, among other roads. But you don't have to do the full 100 kilometers. In fact, I recommend you don't do it on your first day: the altitude (2,600 meters above sea level) is felt, and the climbs on carrera 7 heading north can be treacherous if you're not used to it.
The classic stretch: from Plaza de Bolívar to Parque Simón Bolívar
This is the stretch everyone should do at least once. It starts at Plaza de Bolívar, in the heart of the historic center, and climbs up carrera 7 to calle 63. It's about 8 kilometers with a moderate incline that lets you see the city from several angles.
Along the way, you'll encounter La Candelaria, Bogotá's most famous colonial neighborhood, with its colorful facades and cobblestone streets (careful there: the cobblestones are pretty but they'll rattle your teeth). You continue along the eastern side of the city, with the Monserrate and Guadalupe hills looming to your right. If the day is clear, you'll want to stop for photos every couple of blocks.
Upon reaching calle 63, you can detour towards Parque Simón Bolívar, Bogotá's largest green lung. There, you'll find recreational bike rentals, trails for relaxed riding, and on Sundays, an entrepreneurs' fair where you can try everything from arepas de chócolo to coconut lemonades. The park is huge: if you get lost, no problem, you'll always reach some exit.
The wetlands route: Tibabuyes and Córdoba
If you've already done the classic stretch and want something quieter and greener, the wetlands route is for you. On Sundays, the Ciclovía connects with the trails bordering the Tibabuyes Wetland (also known as Juan Amarillo), in the northwest of the city. It's a flat route, about 12 kilometers, that shows you a Bogotá few tourists know: the one of ducks, herons, and orange sunsets over the water.
The Córdoba Wetland, at calle 116 with carrera 7, is smaller but just as beautiful. There's a circuit of about 3 kilometers around the water mirror, perfect for riding slowly and birdwatching. If you're lucky, you'll spot one of the 60 species that inhabit the area. Bring binoculars if you can; you won't regret it.
Must-stop spots along the Ciclovía
The Ciclovía isn't just about pedaling: it's also about stopping. Every Sunday, the closed roads fill with food stalls, music, and group stretching sessions. These are my favorite stops:
- The juice stand at carrera 7 with calle 45: a classic. They'll make you a soursop or blackberry juice with water and ice for about 5,000 COP. Perfect for recharging.
- The vintage bike zone at Parque Nacional: on Sundays, collectors gather with bicycles from the 50s and 60s. It's a rolling museum, free and outdoors.
- The free repair point at calle 26 with carrera 30: if your chain breaks or you get a flat tire, there are volunteer mechanics who help you at no charge. Bring cash for a tip; they deserve it.
- The tamale stalls on calle 63: it's not the lightest food before continuing to pedal, but it's the most Bogotá-like. A tamale with hot chocolate brings you back to life.
Secret routes: from Usaquén to Chapinero through alleys and parks
The Ciclovía is spectacular, but Bogotá has another side that's only discovered on weekdays, when the streets are alive with the comings and goings of people. These are the routes I take when I want to show visiting friends the real Bogotá, the one that doesn't appear in tourist guides.
The Usaquén circuit: a colonial town within the city
Usaquén was an independent municipality until 1954, and it still retains that small-town feel. The route starts at Plaza de Usaquén, with its white church and cobblestone streets. From there, head down carrera 6 to calle 127, where Parque El Country begins. This is a route of about 6 kilometers, with gentle descents and plenty of shade.
The trick is to detour along calle 120 eastward, until you reach carrera 4. There's a pedestrian alley few know about, lined with old houses with gardens full of bougainvillea. It takes you straight to Parque de la 93, but via a route that doesn't show up on Google Maps. The park is a good place to stop: there are guarded bike parking areas and many grab-and-go food options.
From Chapinero to La Candelaria along carrera 5
This is my favorite route to show Bogotá's contrast. It starts in the Zona G (calle 67 with carrera 7), where the city's most elegant restaurants are, and descends along carrera 5 towards the center. It's about 7 kilometers, almost all downhill, taking you from the modern buildings of Chapinero to the colonial mansions of La Candelaria.
Along the way, you pass Parque de los Periodistas, a viewpoint over Avenida Jiménez with stunning views of the eastern hills. You also pass Universidad del Rosario, the oldest in Colombia (1653), and Chorro de Quevedo, the corner where Bogotá was supposedly founded in 1538. There's a small café there that sells hot chocolate with cheese; it's the perfect combination for a break.
Heads up: this route has a tricky stretch between calle 45 and calle 40, where carrera 5 becomes cobbled and steep. If you don't feel safe descending fast, better get off the bike and walk a few blocks. It's not a lack of manhood; it's intelligence.
The hills ring: from Parque Nacional to Monserrate
This is a route for cyclists with some experience. It starts at Parque Nacional (calle 36 with carrera 7) and climbs the pedestrian trail bordering the hills up to the Monserrate cable car. It's about 4 kilometers of constant climbing, with gradients reaching 12% in some sections. It's not for everyone, but the reward is enormous: views of the entire city, fresh air, and, if you arrive early, the morning mist that gives the savanna a mystical air.
The trail is closed to bicycles in some sections, so you need to know the exact route. The safest way is to climb via the pedestrian path of Quebrada La Vieja, which opens on Sundays from 5 to 10 a.m. On other days, you can climb via carrera 1 to calle 26 and then take the path along the eastern side of the funicular station. Ask the park rangers; they'll guide you without issue.
Bike rentals and workshops: where to get a bike without dying trying
Not all visitors bring their own bike, and that's not a problem. Bogotá has options for all budgets,
