Bogota Traffic

How about a few more taxi stories? And the motorcyles are just as exciting in Bogota.

The taxis have a unique way of changing lanes. When they want to change, they just do it. If another vehicle is in the same space, the horn sounds and the test will be which driver backs away.

As we were walking through the city (we walked a lot - a great way to see the city and the many people), we came to one intersection where one street merges into the other.

That seemed tight enough until a motorcyle came along and that's when it really got interesting.

But fear not, the local Police was nearby ready to step in if things got too interesting. I'm just not sure when that time might come.

I only saw one Harley-type motorcycle during my 5 days in Bogota -- most are of the more narrow body style. And there are good reasons. The narrow body styles fit in much tighter places in the traffic.

In the picture of the traffic merge above, the cars were already working to get into the lane they wanted when the motorcylist came into the picture. Two taxis got a few inches of space between them and the motorcyle just went right between, cut through in front of one them, then headed on down the street. I love riding bikes, but I can assure you that I would never touch one in Bogota!

The motorcylist all wear vests with their vehicle license number in large reflective letters on front and back. Any passenger must also wear one. The license number is also on the back of their helmets.