About Cesar Expertise At Allexperts I offer free advise about Colombia. In my personal website I also provide travel advise and other services (http://www.cesarusa.com/travel.htm and www.CesarUSA.com). I was born in Colombia, lived in Venezuela, and in the US. While I was in the US I travelled to Colombia in multiple occasions and currently live in Medellín, Colombia. I can provide general information on touristic matters, safety, employment, and some basic immigration matters (and recommend contacting your local consulate first for information about immigration matters). I am bilingual English-Spanish. In 2005 I worked in Colombia for a short while as an English teacher. In my spare time I promote businesses, people, models, and artists at my multiple websites that provide multiple services such as real estate, model promotion, etc.
Experience I have lived in Colombia before and currently live in Colombia. I have also lived in the US for 22 years. I have travelled to and from Colombia multiple times. I lived in Caracas, Venezuela when I was young and I lived in Quito, Ecuador recently for 15 months. I invite you to visit www.CesarUSA.com and www.CesarColombia.com
Education/Credentials I studied Systems Engineering
Question I am planning to go to colombia next January. I have nothin booked and have limited research done so far. How safe would it be for two guys to cycle Colombia.
thanks in advance.
Answer Dear Eoin:
Main cities such as Bogotá and Medellín have cycling areas on some of the major streets. Those are usually placed in between the two directions of avenues instead of on both shoulders. The advantage is that they are in a separate space protected from the motorists (cement separators and wider spaces. Not just separated by a painted line (where someone could hit a cyclist).
As far as I know there are no restrictions about cyclists riding on the sidewalks, but I am not sure about that. In any case some of the sidewalks are narrow and have a lot of pedestrians so a cyclist will have some trouble riding on some of the sidewalks if riding in a busy area.
Riding on a street that has no space for cyclists is not advisable because of the dangers of riding with vehicles, besides the many drivers there are reckless and get away with it since there is little or no enforcement about reckless driving.
Colombia is a country where many famous cyclists have been born. It is a country where cycling is liked very much. It is kind of one of the national sports along with soccer. It comes like in second place to soccer. There are many mountainous areas and some people take the mountainous roads to improve their cycling ability. There are many beautiful places where to ride and see nature (rivers, grass, trees, and the like). There is a lot of nature that can be seen in Colombia.
In some mountainous areas the guerrilla might be present, mostly in desolate areas. Just ask the people there if the mountains nearby have guerrilla activity. You should ask several people to make sure, better yet if you ask for example at bus terminals and to taxi drivers. Guerilla usually stops cars since they cars there are driven by people with money (cars are expensive there). Guerrilla could probably get little from a cyclist: the bicycle and maybe the money from the wallet unless it is a foreigner whom they might want to kidnap (e.g. if you definitely look like a blond American). Two sounds like a good set of people to ride in most places. To prevent getting lost I suggest you to ride in a group. Riding in a group is not a guarantee against the guerrillas. In Colombia in national holidays the government implements protected trips between the risky areas of the states (where its is known that guerrilla activity occurs). They use military to escort drivers during those days. The kidnappings on the road are scarce. Guerrilla prefers to charge monthly fees from owners of large country lands (that produce something such as coffee or milk) or from some of the major business owners.
In general, bicycle riding is safe in Colombia, more so if you are in a group of two. That way there is less chance of someone trying to get your bicycle. Hopefully you will not be using a very expensive bicycle with fancy accessories unless you take good watch of it. As you know, a lock might not be sufficient protection to thieves.
Safety in Colombia has improved greatly. You will be amazed of the number of military officers and police enforcement on the street. They are all over the place. That will make you feel pretty safe. Bogotá being a pretty large city is harder to protect and the safety is less than in a smaller city.
In general, you should be pretty safe if you remain in good areas. Just avoid the areas that look dangerous. Avoid riding the bicycles at night, if possible, since is less safe at night in some places.
I usually exaggerate in safety advise, but it is better to be overcautious.
