Cyclists vs. Trucks: The War on the Industrial Bike Lane

The Silent War on 19th Street: When Cycling Becomes Russian Roulette

It's 7:30 AM in Ciudad del Río. The smell of freshly brewed coffee mixes with the diesel from trucks loading goods at the warehouses on 19th Street. Juan Pablo, a 32-year-old graphic designer, pedals toward his office in the Link building. He wears a helmet, lights, and a reflective vest. But none of that helped him last Tuesday, when a delivery truck boxed him in against the curb. “The driver didn't even notice. He was listening to vallenato at full volume. I had to brake so hard that I flew over the handlebars,” he says, touching his still-sore right shoulder.

This is not an isolated story. In the last two years, 19th Street between 50th and 43rd Avenues has become the battlefield of an undeclared war between urban cyclists and truck drivers. The former are trying to get to their jobs in the office towers; the latter, to complete the cargo routes that fuel the city's economy. And in the middle: wet asphalt, blind spots, and a lack of adequate infrastructure.

According to data from Medellín's Mobility Secretariat, in 2024 there were 47 reported accidents between bicycles and cargo vehicles on the Ciudad del Río corridor. So far in 2026, there have already been 23 incidents, three of them with serious injuries. The number seems small, but if you live here, you know that most crashes go unreported. “You get up, dust yourself off, and keep going. Why waste time filing a report when the truck is already gone?” says María Camila, a bicycle messenger working for a delivery platform.

This article is not a manual on how to cycle nicely. It's a cry for help disguised as a guide. Because the solution isn't to blame anyone, but to understand how to coexist on a road that wasn't designed for sharing. And for that, we first need to listen to those who suffer it every day.

Voices from the Asphalt: Three Cyclists Who Lived Hell on 19th

To understand the magnitude of the problem, nothing beats the stories of those who have been inches from tragedy. Here are three real testimonies, collected in July 2026.

Testimony 1: Andrés, the Architect Who Almost Lost a Leg

Andrés is 28 years old and works at an architecture firm in the Forum building. Every day he takes the bike lane on the Regional Avenue, but when he reaches 19th Street, he runs into chaos. “The problem is that trucks turn right without signaling. You're going straight on the bike lane, and suddenly you feel the roar of the engine next to you. Once, a truck from the dairy company Colanta brushed against my left leg. I ended up with a bruise the size of a plate,” he recounts. Andrés now avoids 19th Street at all costs: he prefers to take a detour via 48th Avenue, even if it adds 10 minutes to his trip.

Testimony 2: Laura, the Activist Who Captured the Chaos

Laura is a member of the Sustainable Mobility Board of Medellín. For a year now, she has been documenting on video the tense moments between bicycles and trucks at the intersection of 19th Street and 50D Avenue. “I've recorded over 40 risky situations. The worst part is that truck drivers aren't bad people; they have huge blind spots. If you're level with the cab, they can't see you even with mirrors,” she explains. Laura proposes a simple solution: paint markings on the ground to indicate to cyclists where to position themselves to be visible. “In Bogotá, they already do this. Here, we're still using the same faded paint from five years ago.”

Testimony 3: Carlos, the Truck Loader Who Also Cycles

Carlos works unloading merchandise at a warehouse on 50th Avenue. But on weekends, he uses his bicycle to visit his mom in Belén. “I understand cyclists because I am one. But I also understand the drivers: they have schedules to meet, the streets are narrow, and people cross without looking. It's nobody's fault; it's the roads,” he says, wiping sweat with a rag. Carlos believes the solution is a shared schedule: “Let trucks only circulate between 6 and 9 AM, and from 4 to 7 PM. The rest of the day, let the street be for bicycles.”

Hard Data: The #s Nobody Wants to See

Beyond the stories, the figures from the Mobility Secretariat of Medellín are stark. Below is a comparison between 2024 and the current 2025 (through June):

• Total accidents in Ciudad del Río (bicycles vs. cargo vehicles): 2024: 47. 2025: 23 (projected to 46 by year-end).
• Serious injuries: 2024: 8. 2025: 3 (through June).
• Fatalities: 2024: 1 (a 24-year-old delivery rider). 2025: 0.
• Identified critical points: Intersection of 19th Street and 50D Avenue (35% of incidents), 19th Street and 43rd Avenue (28%), and the 33rd Street Bridge (22%).

These figures, though seemingly low, hide a reality: in Colombia, only 30% of traffic accidents are reported, according to the National Road Safety Agency. That means the real # could be triple.

Furthermore, a study by the National University of Medellín, published in 2025, revealed that 60% of truck drivers in the area have never received training on blind spots. And 45% of surveyed cyclists admitted to not using front or rear lights, despite 19th Street lacking adequate lighting in several stretches.

Heat Map: The Three Spots Where Danger Lurks

If you're going to cycle through Ciudad del Río, memorize these intersections. They concentrate the highest # of incidents, according to Mobility Secretariat reports and cyclist testimonies.

Red Spot: 19th Street with 50D Avenue

This is the epicenter of the conflict. Here, food distribution warehouses, office towers, and the access to the 33rd Street Bridge converge. Trucks leaving the warehouses turn right without visibility, while cyclists coming from the Regional bike lane face the steel behemoth head-on. Recommendation: if you reach this point, slow down, make eye contact with the driver, and don't hug the right side of the truck. Better to wait for it to pass or use 48th Avenue as an alternative.

Orange Spot: 19th Street with 43rd Avenue

This intersection is famous for poorly synchronized traffic lights. Trucks accelerate to catch the green light, while cyclists try to cross. In 2024, the fatal accident of the 24-year-old delivery rider occurred here. Fun fact: there's a commemorative plaque at that spot that no one maintains. If you pass by, get off your bike and look at it. It's a reminder that haste isn't worth a life.

Yellow Spot: 33rd Street Bridge

The pedestrian and cyclist bridge on 33rd Street is narrow and poorly designed. Trucks coming up from 19th Street toward the Regional don't respect lateral distance. Several cyclists report being grazed by side mirrors. Alternative: use the right lane with caution, or better yet, detour via 48th Avenue and cross at the 33rd Street traffic light.

Audio: The Soundtrack of Danger

If you could listen to 15 seconds of 19th Street at 8 AM, you'd hear this: horns piercing eardrums, screeching brakes smelling of burnt rubber, and the roar of an approaching diesel engine. It's the sound of a city that can't decide if it wants to be modern or industrial. Mobility activists have proposed installing noise sensors in the area to measure decibels, but the Mayor's Office hasn't responded yet. Meanwhile, cyclists cover their ears with headphones, making them even more vulnerable.

Proposed Solution: Shared Schedule or Alternate Route?

After talking to cyclists, drivers, and officials, two solutions seem viable. They're not perfect, but they're a start.

Option 1: Shared Schedule

Carlos the truck loader's proposal makes sense: restrict truck traffic on 19th Street between 9 AM and 4 PM. During that block, the road would be for priority use by bicycles and light vehicles. Trucks could use 50th Avenue or the Regional Avenue as a detour. This is already done in cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Why not in Medellín? Councilman Juan David Pérez presented a draft agreement in March 2026, but the transportation caucus blocked it, arguing it would affect warehouse productivity.

Option 2: Alternate Route via 48th Avenue

While the shared schedule is being debated, cyclists can take 48th Avenue, which runs parallel to 19th Street but has less heavy traffic. The downside is that 48th Avenue has no marked bike lane, so you have to share the lane with cars and motorcycles. However, private drivers are usually more aware than truckers. Plus, 48th Avenue connects directly to Parque de la 93 and the Zona Rosa, making it useful for those heading north.

Local Tips: How to Survive 19th Street

If you have no choice but to cycle through this area, here are tips any veteran Medellín cyclist will give you:

• Always use lights: even during the day. Front and rear lights make you visible even in the sun. In July 2026, cloudy days are common, and visibility is reduced.
• Don't hug the curb: trucks need space to maneuver. If you're glued to the right, they can box you in against the curb. Better to take the center of the lane when it's safe.
• Make eye contact: before crossing an intersection, look the truck driver in the eyes. If they don't see you, don't cross. Wait.
• Avoid headphones: even though the noise from trucks is unbearable, you need to hear what's happening around you. Your ears are your best radar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to cycle in Ciudad del Río in 2026?

It depends on the time and route. During peak hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM), 19th Street is dangerous due to truck traffic. However, the internal streets of Ciudad del Río, like 48th Avenue or the bike lane on the Regional, are safer. The key is to avoid the critical intersections mentioned in this article.

What do I do if a truck hits me?

First, call 123 (emergency line) and 125 (traffic police). If you can, take photos of the truck's license plate and the driver's face. Don't move until the ambulance arrives, even if you feel fine; adrenaline can mask injuries. Then, file a report with the Mobility Secretariat. If you need legal advice, contact the Medellín Cyclist Association (ASOBICICLETAS).

Is there any citizen initiative to improve safety?

Yes. The “Safe 19th Street” collective meets every first Thursday of the month at the Ciudad del Río Library. They are pushing for the installation of speed bumps, better lighting, and a shared schedule. You can join their WhatsApp group by scanning the QR code at the library entrance.

CTA: Give Voice to Your Experience

Have you had a close call on 19th Street? Do you have a solution that no one has thought of? Write to us at historias@malokal.com or leave a comment on our social media. We want to compile a map of cyclist experiences in Ciudad del Río. Your story could save someone's life.

Historical or Contextual Introduction

Ciudad del Río was born in the 1990s as an industrial zone, but over the last decade it has transformed into a corporate and residential hub. This change has created a conflict: the streets were designed for 18-wheelers, not for bicycles. The 19th Street corridor is a symbol of this unfinished transition. Understanding its history helps to understand why the war on the bike lane is not just a traffic problem, but an urban planning one.

What to Do

Ciudad del Río Bike Lane

The bike lane on the Regional Avenue is the safest option for crossing the area. It runs along the side of the avenue, separated from vehicular traffic by a concrete barrier. However, it ends abruptly at 19th Street, forcing cyclists to merge with trucks. The community is demanding that the lane be extended to 33rd Street.

Parque de los Deseos

If you need a break after the stress of 19th Street, Parque de los Deseos is a green oasis in the middle of the concrete. It has bike racks, drinking fountains, and shaded areas. It's located at the intersection of 19th Street and 48th Avenue, a safe point to catch your breath.

Comuna 13

Although it's not directly on 19th Street, Comuna 13 is a must-see for any cyclist visiting Medellín. The electric stairs and murals are a reminder that the city is reinventing itself. The route from Ciudad del Río to Comuna 13 is safe if you take the Regional bike lane and then the 33rd Street bridge.

Where to Eat or Drink

La Pampa

An Argentine grill on 48th Avenue, perfect for refueling after a ride. The “lomo al trapo” is legendary among local cyclists. They have a bike rack and are open from 12 PM to 10 PM.

El Bocado

A cafeteria on 19th Street, right at the corner with 50D Avenue. It's a strategic spot to watch the chaos while drinking a coffee. The owners are cyclists and offer a 10% discount to anyone who arrives by bike.

Pizzeria La Libélula

Located inside the Ciudad del Río Library, this pizzeria is a meeting point for the cycling community. They have a weekly “pedal and pizza” night every Wednesday. The best part: they validate your bike parking ticket.