The driver, despite the fact that the bicyclist made the complaint, did not even flinch and continued on his way as if nothing had happened – credit BOSA B7/Facebook
The patience of some drivers in Bogotá exceeds the limits of patience, and some in their eagerness to reach their destination quickly even break traffic rules, regardless of the fact that they may put the safety of other road actors at risk.
This situation occurred on one of the roads in the town of Puente Aranda, where a bicycle user decided to record with his cell phone the foolish driver of a high-end truck who, He did not frown upon invading the exclusive lane for bicycle users located along the Carrera 50 corridor, in the jurisdiction of the town of Puente Aranda.
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However, this particular case was recorded a few meters from reaching Las Américas avenues, when the driver, who was going south-north, was surprised by the citizen who was on his bicycle, who shared the video in which he observe how he faces the man on board the private.
The high-end truck, with license plate KGT111, advanced several meters, but then invaded the mixed lane again, and just at that moment is when the cyclist caught up with it and, with cell phone in hand, assured: “How do they see beauty getting on the bike path?”
The case became known during the afternoon of Friday, September 27, 2024, it generated all kinds of comments on the internet, because Internet users were divided because some considered that, although the action taken by the owner of the private vehicle was not appropriate, Cyclists also make improper maneuvers.
The bicycle user exposed the driver on social networks after recording him on the cycle path, located in the jurisdiction of the town of Puente Aranda – credit BOSA B7/Facebook
“With all due respect, I know that it is wrong for the truck to be occupying that lane, but when the bicycles occupy the car lane there, they don’t say anything”; “but if cyclists don’t use it because they pass through wherever,” or “so that cyclists can realize what it feels like when you have a cycle path and they ride in the vehicle lane”are some of the messages that were found in the video published on Facebook. In these examples, the discomfort with the behavior of bicius users is evident.
“But since it is a high-end truck, with dark windows, Toyota and they are UNTOUCHABLE, no, no, how sad”; “He thought it was an exclusive lane for escort vans!”; and “you have to see that people do not respect, and where are the authorities”, were some of the comments that criticized the maneuver that this driver carried out.
However, the debate was extended in the publication where the video was released, given that the perception among some citizens, and which is reflected in people’s comments, is that cyclists, despite having lanes Exclusive roads and cycle paths that cross the entire city also continue to be reckless and even cause accidents.
“The truck is occupying an inappropriate lane for him or her, but it is attacking cyclists when they occupy the lanes of cars and motorcycles and without caring about anything,” wrote one of the people who does not agree with the way some bicicusarios proceed.
The criticism did not wait and actions are requested against the driver – credit adonaikfh/Instagram
Cases like this have already occurred during 2024 in the capital. In another incident, a driver was captured on video while invading a bicycle lane to avoid traffic, generating a wave of criticism on social networks and a call to the authorities to impose a fine.
The incident that went viral and became known on February 20, 2024, once again put road safety and respect for traffic rules in the Colombian capital at the center of the debate. The video shows how the driver of a gray vehicle travels at high speed on a road intended exclusively for cyclists, putting bicycle users passing through the area at risk.
The driver’s action was criticized by citizens, who expressed their indignation and concern about the recklessness shown.
Failure to comply with traffic regulations and the invasion of the exclusive lanes of the bike lane by car and motorcycle drivers can represent a hard blow to the pockets of drivers who are surprised by traffic and transportation agents carrying out reckless acts such as those The truck driver did in Puente Aranda.
As stipulated in the National Traffic Code, this violation classified as DO5 is penalized with a fine of 30 current legal daily minimum wages, which is equivalent to approximately 39 million pesos. The problem is not limited to the invasion of bicycle lanes; Drivers often drive on sidewalks, squares, pedestrian paths, dividers, berms and areas where it is prohibited, resulting in congestion and mobility problems.
These cases generate debate on social networks because it is questioned that a part of bicycle users, despite having exclusive cycle routes and lanes, often prefer to circulate in the mixed lanes of the streets – credit Mario Franco/Colprensa
In the best of cases, these events are nothing more than an argument or a minor inconvenience in traffic. However, in more extreme situations, these reckless behaviors lead to serious accidents.
