Ciclovia

[From May'09 intro] Like The Land Owns Us which touches upon Australia’s painful history of Aboriginal child removal without bitterness or vitriol, Ciclovia profiles a successful public initiative in Bogata to return the streets to cyclists and pedestrians, without dwelling on the Colombian capital’s former reputation for crime and violence. Dynamic and lucidly constructed, this short documentary provides an insight into the roots of social cohesion, while remaining unashamedly heart-warming.

A short film about the warmth of the people of Bogata, Columbia, Ciclovia celebrates uplifting experience. One Sunday a month and on holidays, this huge urban centre channels traffic elsewhere and presents 90 km of safe streets for bicycling, skating, aerobics and other energies of the spirit. More than two million people of all walks of life revel in this extraordinary community spirit. This film shows that true spirituality embraces the joy, the fun, the laughter in others. Working together is true service. And divine experience is dancing in the inspiration.

A delightful documentary of the concept of Ciclovia, joyful and inspiring. Makes you want to rush out and lobby to have this implemented in your own city. Especially in this harsh economic times, and world full of conflict, good relief to think that you can have this wonderful space to enjoy with your friends/family in the middle of the city, free of charge and people can actually relate to each other, regardless of their background.

I liked Ciclovia; what a great idea put into practice. Many people only know of Columbia as a dangerous drug-ridden place. (I met a Columbian woman who always travels by helicopter because the country roads are so dangerous.)