No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaSan José’s new bike path expected to be ready in July

San José’s new bike path expected to be ready in July

Crews from the Municipality of San José began work Monday on a new stretch of the capital’s bike path. The route will connect San Pedro, just east of the city limits, to La Sabana Park on the west side of town.

The project is a joint effort of the municipalities of San José, Montes de Oca and the Public Works and Transport Ministry (MOPT). According to the official timetable, it will take four months to complete.

MOPT’s Department of Traffic Engineering designed the 15.4-kilometer (9.5-mile) route, whose width ranges from 1.5 to 2 meters (5-6.5 feet).

The new bike path is painted green and will have road reflectors and road safety poles on various stretches.

New route

The Municipality of Montes de Oca launched the construction of the first section of the bike path between the University of Costa Rica’s School of Law and the Hispanoamericana University in Barrio Escalante earlier this month. The city is investing ₡53 million ($93,000) in that segment of the path and expects to finish in early May, MOPT reported.

The Municipality of San José is responsible for the remaining stretch of the bike route, which will take cyclists through downtown San José and Barrio San Bosco.

“We hope this new bike path allows people to see the environmental benefits and the benefits of this transportation system for the city and for the people’s well-being,” said San José Mayor Johnny Araya at a public event on Monday morning.

The Municipality of San José said in a news release that the ₡60 million (some $106,000) budget for its part of the project also includes repairs and expansion of sidewalks and media campaigns to inform motorists, pedestrians and cyclists about the new route.

The project has not been universally acclaimed. Motorists claim the bike path in Los Yoses is reducing the space for them along a stretch on 41st Street, already a narrow road.

Bike path in San Pedro. March 2017.
(Via MOPT)

Second round

The San José Municipality inaugurated its first bike path downtown in 2015; however, that route is mostly unused. While the path sought to provide cyclists with a route from La Soledad Church to San Juan de Dios Hospital, paint and signage on that first bike path now has mostly disappeared, and MOPT has confirmed the path will be eliminated.

The ministry said that a recent evaluation by its Department of Traffic Engineering found that it is inconvenient to have a bike path along the pedestrian boulevard on Avenida 4.

“Pedestrians, street vendors and parked vehicles make it almost impossible for cyclists to use the path there,” the report states.

Transport Vice Minister Liza Castillo said on Monday morning that authorities are very pleased with the new project. She said the new bike path makes “a more efficient use of available space along the roads and provides a more safe and organized interaction between the city’s commuters.”

Municipalities are currently working on a second stage of the project that will include the construction of bike parking facilities and bicycle rental services.

Hover over the map to see the route:

San José’s bike path

Trending Now

Costa Rica Sport Fishing Industry Pushes 2026 Presidential Candidates

Leaders from Costa Rica’s tourism and sport fishing industry gathered last week to push for stronger marine policies, pressing presidential hopefuls to commit to...

Heavy Rains in Costa Rica Cause Severe Flooding

Costa Rica faces another tough week as persistent heavy rains pound our country, leading to widespread flooding, landslides, and disrupted lives. This October, the...

What Camera Traps Miss Chasing Jaguars in Costa Rica

Five years ago, I began my journey using camera traps in wildlife monitoring projects in Costa Rica. A few years after that I began...

Marriott Expands in Costa Rica with Adventure-Focused Hotel

Marriott is set to grow its footprint in Costa Rica by opening a new hotel in the Central Pacific area next year. The Santa...

Costa Rica Monitors Caribbean Tropical Wave with 70% Storm Chance

Those who live along the Caribbean coast know all too well how quickly weather can turn in October. Right now, the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional...

Costa Rica Arrests Suspects Wanted by U.S. for Cocaine Smuggling

Authorities in Costa Rica arrested four men from the southern part of the country, all wanted by the United States for extradition on charges...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica