Nearly 50% of the world’s population currently live in cities, and this number is expected to rise further. This unprecedented urban growth will continue to lead to many transportation challenges like congestion, pollution and its associated social and environmental concerns. In response, many cities are turning to cycling as the answer.

The city of Buenos Aires (Argentina) is committed to re-educate citizens onto more sustainable ways of transportation. How? Reinstalling structurally and culturally the use of the bicycle.

clip image002 thumb bicycles in Buenos Aires

The main issues for a cyclist in a capitol go from adequate and exclusive paths (mainly for safety reasons) to proper parking spots. Though this might seem easy to solve in terms of structure -yet not cheap-, there is an important cultural side to develop and re-enhance on citizens.

This is why the city’s program mejor en bici “better in bike” contemplates five distinct items to approach environmentally friendly transportation to the people:

1. The construction of protected network of cycle-paths.

2. An adequate infrastructure for parking spaces.

3. An easy rent-a-bike system.

4. To promote and educate bicycle transit publicly, in order to spread and increase the chances of making it a real and sustainable way of transportation.

5. A Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program to encourage the use of bicycles..

Furthermore, the government tackles more indirect benefits as a consequence of cycling: (According to www.mejorenbici.gob.ar)

 

Trasportation freedom and traffic reduction

The bike gives you more liberty to move, for you and your fellow citizen, since one is not occupying the space of an entire car, thus reducing traffic.

Health Benefits

 

Improves fitness, fighting sedentary aches like back issues and muscle fatigue. There is also a 50% less risk of cardiac issues, reduces herniated discs chances, favours the immune system and lowers bad cholesterol (LDL)

Ecological

 

Doesn’t need any kind of fuel, therefore does not produce any toxic emission. Reduces noise pollution.

Economical

Doesn’t demand an important investment and maintenance costs are reasonably low.

Bicycle day parades all over Buenos Aires’ city center are already being organised to continue encouraging the citizens to adapt to this safer and promising mean of tranportation. Added to this, one can have access to free bikes at specific terminals just by completing a simple form and acquiring a PIN number.

Although this might not be new for many people living in highly developed first world cities, it is an important and surprising sustainable development for the capital of Argentina. Although, to be realistic, it may take time for individuals, car drivers, taxi drivers and bus drivers to adapt to such a change, let us hope this course continues in the long run.