The " Wheels for Ibagué" system will consist of 69 mechanical bicycles, 16 pedal-assist bicycles and 8 stations.
Ibagué, Colombia 22 April 2022 - The city of Ibagué - capital of the department of Tolima, located in central-western Colombia - is about to inaugurate "Wheels for Ibagué", the public bicycle system implemented with the technical assistance of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) in Colombia through the EUROCLIMA+ programme.
This public bicycle system will adopt environmentally sustainable mobility criteria; reduce levels of environmental pollution from mobile sources; incorporate environmental criteria to produce an eco-efficient mobility system; guarantee road safety for different population groups; contribute to increasing the city's productivity and competitiveness within the region; contribute to improving healthy habits among citizens; and close gender gaps in the use of the Bicycle.
Through the Institute of Financing, Promotion and Development of Ibagué - INFIBAGUÉ, the Mayor's Office of Ibagué will implement a cutting-edge public bicycle system, which will contribute to the development of the city through the expansion of supply, promoting sustainable mobility, as stated by Paola Arbeláez Arenas, General Manager of INFIBAGUÉ.
“That is why, within the promotion of the sustainable mobility model contained in the city's Mobility and Public Space Plan, one of the aspects to highlight is that a network of infrastructure and services will be created to promote pedestrian and bicycle mobility. It also seeks to implement a transport demand management mechanism, in order to reduce the use of private vehicles, implementing mechanisms to improve safety and efficiency in the different modes of transport," said Paola Arbeláez Arenas - General Manager of INFIBAGUÉ.
Importance of the public bicycle system for Ibagué
The mobility sector is the second most polluting sector in Ibagué, with 42% of total CO2 emissions. In terms of its modal split, only 2% of the population uses bicycles. In order to contribute to the solution of this problem, the project relies on cutting-edge technologies and the generation of a series of technical, financial and legal studies to ensure an adequate implementation.
According to the Manager, this system will be the first fifth generation system in the country, i.e. it does not require a robust infrastructure, as it implements an intelligent system of locks that are operated and managed from the internet.
“The implementation of the public bicycle system is very important for the administration, as it will generate key information that will also strengthen these sustainable mobility processes in the city," said Paola Arbeláez.
On the other hand, the use and analysis of data will bring many benefits for city planning, since, being a pilot, it will allow seeing how the bicycles are being used, which are the routes in specific time slots, which are the most frequented routes, among many others, thus allowing the system to grow according to the specific needs of its users.
Laura Urrego, a professional from INFIBAGUÉ's financing, promotion and business development department, emphasised that a very important element in this implementation is the durability over time, mentioning that success lies in the construction of technical, financial and legal capacities; she also stressed the importance of securing resources to have a sustainable system.
“To train and socialise with citizens the importance of active and sustainable mobility, in order to integrate them dynamically in the use of the public bicycle system", said Laura Urrego, Professional of the INFIBAGUÉ's financing, promotion and business development department.
Structure of the public bicycle system
The implementation of "Wheels for Ibagué" went through a lengthy process due to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. A first tender was opened but was declared void due to the economic situation and the increase in the value of the dollar, which led to a revision of the studies that led to the opening of a second tender that was awarded to the company UT Ibici, which is currently in the process of implementing the public bicycle system that is expected to be inaugurated in the second quarter of this year.
The bicycle system will have 69 mechanical bicycles, 16 smart bicycles with assisted (or electric) pedalling and 8 stations, which will be located at the following points in the city:
- Point 1: Transportation Terminal
- Point 2: Urbana Urban Manager
- Point 3: Park
- Point 4: CAM la Pola
- Point 5: Belén Park
- Point 6: Panóptic Cultural Complex of Ibagué
- Point 7: Murillo Park
- Point 8. Bolívar Plaza
In order to provide a user-friendly experience, and taking advantage of the fifth generation technology to be implemented, the system will have a mobile application that will provide the precise location thanks to satellite geo-referencing and will allow users to manage loans on an individual basis.
This system will benefit citizens by increasing cycling trips and promoting sustainable mobility low in carbon. The project has been structured to be fully scalable and, based on data analysis, to solve mobility problems in other regions of the country.
Ibaguereños and tourists can be part of the solution to the effects of climate change by using sustainable means of transport, such as " Wheels for Ibagué" in addition to public transport, walking, skateboarding, electric skateboarding, among others, and thus contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases in the city and the country.
This pilot project is part of the Urban Mobility sector of the EUROCLIMA+ programme and is implemented with the technical assistance of GIZ. It has an overall amount of 500,000 euros, provided by the European Union.
About EUROCLIMA+
EUROCLIMA+ is a programme funded by the European Union and co-financed by the German federal government through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), as well as by the governments of France and Spain through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation.
The Programme's mission is to reduce the impact of climate change and its effects in 18 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, promoting mitigation, adaptation, resilience and climate investment. It is implemented according to the "Spirit of Team Europe" under the synergistic work of seven agencies: the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the French Development Agency (AFD), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Expertise France (EF), the International and Ibero-America Foundation for Administration and Public Policy (FIIAPP), the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH, and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
For more information:
movilidadurbana@euroclimaplus.org