Recreational Cycle Paths Consolidated as an Engine of Wellbeing during the American Week of Sport

A strategic alliance between ACES América and the CRA Network mobilises more than 3.8 million people in 2024

Bogotá, April 2025 — The alliance between ACES América (Association of European Capitals and Cities of Sport, America chapter) and the Recreational Cycle Paths Network of the Americas (CRA) has consolidated as an exemplary model of inter-institutional cooperation for the promotion of sport, health and active living in urban spaces. During the 2023 and 2024 editions of the American Week of Sport, this collaboration mobilised more than 3.8 million people in 19 cities across 6 countries of the American continent.

This joint effort has made it possible to implement a replicable model for promoting healthy lifestyles, using a low-cost, high-impact tool: recreational cycle paths.

“The temporary transformation of streets into active spaces democratises physical activity, bringing it closer to all ages and social classes,” said Hernán Hurtado R., adviser to the CRA Network.

Data that reflect the impact

In 2024, citizen participation increased significantly compared with the previous year. Colombia led the activity with 3,062,764 participants in 10 cities, followed by Mexico with 592,681 people in 8 cities. In particular, Bogotá stood out with more than 2.6 million participants, reaffirming the power of these initiatives when they are well structured and sustained by local authorities.

These data not only demonstrate the scale of the movement, but also the transformative potential of cycle paths to improve public health and social cohesion.

More than physical activity: an urban policy

Recreational cycle paths consist of temporarily closing certain streets to vehicle traffic in order to make them available exclusively for pedestrian, cycling and recreational use. In this way, they become accessible, safe and inclusive spaces for practising physical activity and for citizens to come together.

This model has proven its effectiveness by enabling the mass participation of people of different ages, socioeconomic levels and physical conditions, fostering a sense of belonging, social integration and the healthy use of public space.

An alliance based on shared objectives

Since their first collaboration in 2023, ACES América and the CRA Network have worked around a common vision: to make sport a tool for social transformation. In 2023, the CRA Network rolled out an extended calendar of activities from 10 September to 15 October, including yoga classes, functional gymnastics, urban cycling and evening activities, accessible to the whole community.

This precedent paved the way for the exponential growth seen in 2024, consolidating a continental network of cities committed to promoting health and collective wellbeing.

2025 outlook: more cities, more impact

For the 2025 edition of the American Week of Sport, ACES América and the CRA Network have defined a joint roadmap with the following objectives:

• To increase the number of participating cities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

• To develop new lines of activity adapted to the needs of each community.

• To produce practical guides so that new cities can successfully implement recreational cycle paths.

• To establish closer frameworks of collaboration between local ACES delegations and cycle path teams.

• To share experiences, lessons learned and management models at international forums.

This action plan seeks not only to expand the reach of the initiative, but also to strengthen the quality and sustainability of local interventions.

An example to follow internationally

The recreational cycle path model, initially developed in Latin America and perfected by cities such as Bogotá, has become a global reference in active urban planning. Its implementation in the context of the American Week of Sport has shown how a low-cost initiative can generate real benefits in health, mobility, community life and sustainability.

The experience of the ACES-CRA alliance provides a solid basis to inspire other cities around the world to adopt similar measures. By sharing methodologies, results and lessons learned, the aim is to contribute to a global network of active and healthy cities.

Open call

ACES América and the CRA Network invite local governments, mayor's offices, municipalities and community organisations to join this network of active cities. The next edition of the American Week of Sport will take place in September 2025, and it is the ideal opportunity for new cities to join this transformative experience.

For further information or to begin the process of joining, you can contact ACES América or the CRA Network directly.