cyclists' safety in Colombia

This topic was created by Ray (manuka20@yahoo.com)
[Thu 13 May, 6:42 Tasmanian Standard Time]

Hello. I'm planning a cycle tour through South America in 3
months, starting in Venezuela and then heading west through
Colombia and south from there. Having read the recent
posting from the guy whose bus was held up at gunpoint and
the numerous replies saying "no, don't go to Southern
Colombia", doubts have been sown in my mind.

So, I'd like to get feedback from independent travellers
who've recently been to Colombia, plus people who currently
live there, concerning how risky they think cycle touring
through parts of the country are. How frequent are
incidents of armed hold-ups on the road? Are buses the main
target and so would cyclists be ignored? Is there a "safe"
way of getting through the south to the Ecuadorian border?
I'm not so interested in hearing of isolated incidents (eg,
"a tourist was killed on that road three months ago"),
rather general advice on the risks involved.

I don't mind taking a few chances - if I did then in three
months time I'd still be sitting here reading about other
people's plans. But I'm not into suicide missions.

By the way, if anyone is keen to join me please get in
touch - if the above hasn't scared you away already!

abrazos
Ray

[There are 7 posts - the latest was added on Fri 21 May, 14:07]

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  1. Unsafe Added by: Danny
    [Timestamp: Thu 13 May, 9:53 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Colombia is unsafe for bicycle riders. It's traffic laws exist only in paper. Drivers are neither pedestrian nor cyclist friendly. Roads in the Southern part of my country are very unsafe these days especially at night. ATB bikes are stolen by any means (including stabbing, among them)
    It you want to come better ride a bus, in daylight. Regardless of what foreign media says, Colombia IS having an internal war,and that makes carretera panamericana an undesirable route. You are likely to find truck driver strikes (they stop traffic) or Guerrilla traffic stops (usually done as a means to keep the army from arriving to the place where an attack has taken place). Colombian Army may be nice but they are "walking targets" especially in the country side.
    Well, this is a very bad picture, I'm sorry. Better stick to the cities (and also there ask fellow expats for the safer zones wherever you go)
    Common sense will allow you to enjoy a safe trip.
    Good luck.



  2. I live in Colombia Added by: peter (petervan@epm.net.co)
    [Timestamp: Thu 13 May, 15:13 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    True there's a lot going on here,
    but also a lot of paranoia.
    Danny, what traveling have you done here (actually
    yourself)?
    Don't ask fellow expats, ask local advice on the road:
    shopowners, truckdrivers, ...
    have a look at:
    http://move.to/colombia
    There's a 1998 bicycle story through Colombia and some
    general info on bicycling, travel safety and safety
    paranoia. Contact some of the people refered to on the site,
    they have on hands experience. (the guy from the
    birdwatching site and the bicycle guy)
    Maybe it is best to find a way around the south (take a
    daybus), maybe its doable, I don't know. The north of
    Colombia (the coast) seems safe. But whatever, I'm planning
    a little bicycling myself here later this year!
    Also let me know what you decide! I'm interested in this for
    my site.
    I will look into reliable travel bicycling experiences in
    Colombia in the next few months, so check back. (I'm slowly
    gathering some reliable information sources here..)
    ChaU!
    And have fun!



  3. trouble Added by: josh
    [Timestamp: Thu 13 May, 16:02 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I'd have to agree on what was said above.
    But actually after travelling for quite some time in
    Colombia on several occasions, I still believe that for a
    cyclist it's the road/traffic conditions that are
    dangerous, everything else not so bad. OK, guerilla
    situation may be worst today than ever but it was bad also
    last summer and I was just fine and I was fine every summer
    before that. The thing with cycling is that it's quite a
    popular sport in central Colombia (Antioquia e.g.) but when
    I saw my bus overtaking groups of cyclist in the Cordiliera
    on neck- breaking roads (mainly 180 turns), I immediately
    let go of my plans to do it myself. Apparently for
    Colombian cyclists that seems to be the best of fun,
    though. I also think I wrote sometime ago that the problem
    in the south between Popayan and Pasto for example, is that
    there's virtually no place to stop and rest or stay
    overnight, just badlands all over (spectacular stuff, of
    course). I'd recommend busing that route. Anyway, none of
    SA countries seem particulary cyclist- friendly, but few
    people I met in Ecuador last summer told me that their
    experience was great and that Colombia was good to them and
    that people were relly receptive of them. I'd say go for
    it, you'll have a blast. good luck.



  4. bernhardniebaum@hotmail.com Added by: wandervogel
    [Timestamp: Sat 15 May, 2:50 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Hi,
    I cycled in 1996 from Bogota to Lima. And I can state that
    cycling in Columbia isn┤t dangerous. The people are really
    friendly and they like cyclist. They will suply you with
    food and drinks when you are climbing one of these endless
    mountain roads.
    The roads are ok. and beside of Bogota there isn┤t so much
    traffic. For all these guys travelling in a bus it may seem
    different. But for a cylcist you will be a lot of time alone
    on the road.
    Concerning the accomodation. I travelled without a tend and
    found a hotel/hostel every night (travelling about 100 km a
    day). Take the South American Handbook it is the best guide
    book for cyclist.
    If you have more questions, feel free to send an email.



  5. Go Added by: syd
    [Timestamp: Sat 15 May, 19:45 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Can't say I've cycled in Columbia but in a year of cycling in
    South America it was rated No.1 cycling country by most cycle
    tourists I met who'd cycled through it (and a lot had!).
    Be wary of advice from anyone who travels by bus or car -
    they essentially are travelling in a different country to
    anyone on bike.
    Cheers, Syd



  6. I'll go Added by: peter
    [Timestamp: Wed 19 May, 10:35 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    bicycling here in less than 2 weeks now,
    so in a month or so the first hand info (there's also info
    from otheres) will be on my site
    '
    http://move.to/colombia



  7. hit and run Added by: Danny
    [Timestamp: Fri 21 May, 14:07 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I have traveled from Popayan to Chachahui. I got hit and run from a campero driver. My friends had to pick me up and the fire dept took me to a town hospital (arrived 2 hours after). Highway patrol was nowhere to be found. Well, that is just an isolated incident. But safety goes in numbers. If you do cycling here, get a big group, and get a good water or gatorade supply.
    Chao!




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