Buenos Aires is a city designed in terms of mobility for cyclists. Although at times it is a chaotic city in its traffic, authorities promote the use of bicycles as a sustainable way to reduce pollution and traffic bottlenecks.
Therefore, if you are a traveler who uses the bicycle as your main means of transportation, you are in the ideal city for you. In Buenos Aires you will find exclusive lanes, bike stations for rent (public) and signage to ride your vehicle without problems.
Below, we share with you a series of tips so that you can enjoy your bicycle trips through Buenos Aires and avoid any possible inconvenience.
Tips for Cycling in Buenos Aires
Use the Exclusive Lanes
The City of Buenos Aires has designated exclusive lanes for cyclists to ride safely without the dangers of dealing with cars, trucks, and buses.
The map of Buenos Aires shows where the protected bike lanes are located and the direction of the lane, as some are one-way.
This means that, if possible, avoid riding on avenues or streets that do not have these exclusive lanes. Additionally, the existence of these bike lanes is intended to allow you to reach almost any point in Buenos Aires using them.
Follow Traffic Rules for Cyclists
Since bicycles started having exclusive lanes, traffic rules also apply to cyclists.
Respecting traffic lights, speed limits, giving priority to pedestrians, wearing a helmet, and using lights are some of the rules cyclists must follow.
Unfortunately, not all cyclists adhere to these traffic rules. Many surveys reflect the dissatisfaction of citizens with the way cyclists ride in Buenos Aires, despite having exclusive lanes and signage.
Take Advantage of Low Traffic Hours
With a bicycle, you can avoid traffic jams that occur on Buenos Aires streets and avenues during peak hours. However, the exclusive lanes are not always free from this phenomenon. Motorcycles, cars, and even vans often illegally invade the exclusive lane to move forward and avoid traffic jams, putting bicycles at risk.
Therefore, it is ideal to take advantage of the speed and versatility of the bicycle as a vehicle to travel outside of peak hours, either before or a while after the traffic jams occur.
This way, you can ride without problems or obstacles in your path and avoid any potential traffic bottlenecks that could indirectly affect you.
Do Not Park Your Bicycle on the Street
A very important recommendation when parking your bicycle. There aren’t always designated parking areas or places to leave your bicycle, and the most common thing in any country is to park it on the street. However, in Buenos Aires, this is not entirely safe.
Bicycle theft on the street usually occurs without violence. Thieves see a bicycle locked to a post and find a way to break the lock and take the vehicle. This type of incident can happen with a high probability, even in busy areas.
The solution is to secure your bicycle in a private parking area. If you use your bicycle to go to a bar or a café, it shouldn’t be a problem to park it on the street as long as you keep it within your sight.
Respect Pedestrians
Just like cars, bicycles must also respect traffic lights and pedestrians.
When you reach a pedestrian crossing and the light is red, you must wait and leave the path clear for pedestrians. This means not stopping on or in front of the crosswalk.
Additionally, when turning from one street to another, you must also consider pedestrians. This maneuver by cyclists in Buenos Aires is often criticized because they make sharp turns, often coming close to hitting a pedestrian.
Take Advantage of Sundays for Cycling
Sundays are ideal for satisfying your desire to ride a bicycle. The city is practically empty, and the exclusive lanes, as well as the streets and avenues in general, won’t present obstacles or surprises.
On these days, you can take a much longer ride with your bicycle, even training or exploring areas of Buenos Aires that would be impossible to visit during the week.
(Featured Image Source: Robin Capper/flickr.com)
