Active streets for children: The case of the Bogotá Ciclovía

Abstract

Introduction The Ciclovía is a worldwide program in which streets are temporarily closed to motorized transport to create a space for recreation and outdoor play among children and adults. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between physical activity (PA), sedentary time (SED), body mass index and Ciclovía participation among children aged 9 to 13 years. Methods All students in the 4 th and 5 th grades from the selected schools were invited to participate in the study. The study included 923 children. PA and SED were measured using waist-worn accelerometers, and height and weight were measured using standardized procedures. Ciclovía participation was self-reported. The analyses included multilevel linear, generalized mixed and generalized additive models. Results The mean age of the sample was 10.1±0.7 years, and 49.5% were boys. In the last year, 46% of the children participated in the Ciclovía, and 34% reported participating frequently (at least once per month). No differences were found in the mean minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA on weekdays between frequent Ciclovía users and sporadic and non-Ciclovía users (72 vs 69; p = 0.09). In contrast, frequent Ciclovía users had higher moderate-to-vigorous PA on Sundays than sporadic and non-Ciclovía users (65.6 vs 59.2; p = 0.01), specifically between the hours of 12:00 and 16:00. In addition, frequent Ciclovía users did not differ from the sporadic and non-Ciclovía users in SED (515.3 vs 521.3; p = 0.19). Frequent Ciclovía users had lower SED on Sundays than the sporadic and non-Ciclovía users (437.7 vs 456.5; p = 0.005). Additionally, frequent Ciclovía users were more likely to be overweight (28.3% vs 20.4% p = 0.01). We did not find differences in participation by sex, and low-to-middle income children were more likely to participate. Conclusions The Ciclovías offer an innovative, inclusive recreational space and consequently provide opportunities to increase moderate-to-vigorous PA and reduce SED among children.

Sociodemographic Predictors of Changes in Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep among Toddlers and Preschoolers in Chile during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The provision of safe spaces for physical activity is critical when physical distancing is required. As parks may be limited in space, availability and accessibility, programs such as open streets (e.g., Ciclovía) or play streets can be adapted and implemented while maintaining the physical distancing and other COVID-19-safe measures [ 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Thus, councils could provide additional safe spaces by closing lanes to cars, implementing complete streets schemes, and transforming them into spaces for physical activity, play, and recreation.…”

Profiles of Active Transportation among Children and Adolescents in the Global Matrix 3.0 Initiative: A 49-Country Comparison

“…Also, multi-component strategies, such as the Bike to school program in Colombia are a good reference for countries that aim to provide access, skills, and support to bike to school in safe conditions [ 110 ]. Furthermore, Ciclovias or Open Streets programs are a good model for countries where active transportation to school is already prevalent and aim to increase walking and cycling to other destinations in the leisure time [ 112 , 166 ].…”

Understanding the rise of cardiometabolic diseases in low- and middle-income countries

“…Informal built environments add complexity to addressing the causes and complications of cardiometabolic disease as, for example, interventions to address obesity may not be implemented through formal regulated structures. 97 Nonetheless, cities can play a vital role in addressing health and social inequity; 97,101,105…”