Bogotá’s 50-Year Journey to Sustainable Transport

For half a century, Bogotá has redefined urban mobility, proving that sustainable transport transforms cities and lives.

Bogotá, Colombia has transformed itself. Once infamous for its sprawling congestion and stifling pollution, the city now boasts one of the most ambitious urban transport systems in the world. Last December marked 50 years since Bogotá launched Ciclovía, a pioneering initiative that has redefined public spaces and inspired cities worldwide. Together with the TransMilenio Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, Bogotá has illustrated how innovative solutions can tackle environmental issues and social inequality. 

TransMilenio: Connecting communities and cutting emissions 

Since launching in 2000, The TransMilenio system has fundamentally reshaped how locals move around the city. It’s a deceptively simple idea with extraordinary impact. Buses operate in dedicated lanes to bypass Bogotá’s notorious traffic jams, moving passengers quickly and efficiently. Every day, more than two million people use TransMilenio, making it one of the largest BRT systems in the world. 

More than just its scale, TransMilenio stands out because of what it represents. The system connects Bogotá’s poorer, often marginalised communities on the city’s outskirts to its vibrant economic core. For many, TransMilenio isn’t just a means to get from point A to point B; it’s a lifeline to jobs, education, and opportunity. This focus on accessibility and affordability highlights the programme’s broader ambition: to create a more equitable city where public transportation serves as a tool for social mobility. 

The environmental benefits are equally significant. By prioritising buses over cars, TransMilenio reduces congestion and cuts carbon emissions. According to a World Bank study,

TransMilenio prevents the release of 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually – the equivalent of taking more than 50,000 cars off the road each year.

It’s proof that public transit can be a powerful force in driving climate action.

Ciclovía: A global model for open streets 

Complementing the TransMilenio is Bogotá’s Ciclovía program, a display of active transportation and public space. On 15 December 1974, Bogotá closed a few streets to cars for the first Ciclovía. Fifty years later, the program has grown into a globally celebrated tradition. Every Sunday, around 120 kilometres of roads are closed to cars, opening them up to cyclists, pedestrians, and skaters. It’s a simple concept that has profoundly reshaped how residents interact with their city.

Ciclovía goes beyond being a traffic-free day and serves as a weekly reminder of how cities could look if people were prioritised over vehicles.

Friends cycle side by side, parents walk with their children, and residents enjoy the rare quiet of car-free streets. It’s a vision of urban life that feels almost utopian – and yet it happens every week in Bogotá. Ciclovía has inspired similar programs globally, including Jakarta’s monthly Car-Free Sundays, which create spaces for recreation and community engagement. 

Challenges and lessons for the future 

Bogotá’s transformation hasn’t been without its challenges. Overcrowding on the TransMilenio, particularly during peak hours, remains an issue. As the city’s population grows, expanding the system’s capacity has become a pressing concern. And while Ciclovía is a cultural phenomenon, it’s not a replacement for the permanent bike lanes and pedestrian spaces the city still desperately needs. 

Even so, Bogotá’s story offers a compelling lesson for cities worldwide.

Sustainable mobility depends not just on infrastructure but on a fundamental shift in priorities.

By putting people and the environment at the centre of its transport strategy, Bogotá has shown what’s possible.