ROSARITO.- On July 12, 2014, Rosarito will host the Expo Ciclismo, which will kick off with a 15 mile bike ride in Rosarito and will culminate at the Baja California Center. At this brand new convention center in Rosarito, the Urban Mobility Forum will be hosted for two days. The forum is aimed at promoting non-motorized transportation, namely, bicycles as a form of transportation in this cross-border region and specifically in Tijuana.

The goal of the forum is to involve both civil groups as well as local authorities in the creation of better public policy concerning the use of bicycles as a form of transportation and for recreation. This will include discussion of bicycle use as a means of easing traffic congestion, and will take on infrastructure issues such as designated routes and parking to come up with solutions. The group will also continue to develop what is termed a "critical route" for the cities of Mexicali and Tijuana.

In addition to guest speakers, forty different companies will be selling products and services geared toward bike riders. Activities and workshops will also be held for bike enthusiasts. The idea is to encourage collaboration and information exchange in order to improve cycling infrastructure in this region.

It is hoped that cities like Tijuana can tap into biking not only as a form of recreation, but as transportation as well. Even in fully developed cities, there are many ways that current infrastructure can be utilized in a way that can contribute to the biking community.

In Los Angeles, for example, the City Council just recently adopted a motion to explore using the river bed as a bike path in the heart of the city. Projects like these can transform a city and can truly create a functioning biking network for commuters and recreational bikers alike. The Los Angeles river bike path would span 9 miles directly on the river bed and connecting areas that have long experienced problems with pre-existing infrastructure.

Tijuana and Los Angeles are comparable in the fact that both cities lack green spaces and recreational areas. Creating bike paths such as these can greatly alleviate traffic congestion and add great dynamics to cities.

The Expo Ciclismo will inaugurate on Saturday, July 12th at 9:AM and will continue until Sunday, the 13th. The fee to enter the expos $20 Pesos (less than $2.00 dollars), and the Bicycle Ride has a cost of $100 Pesos (about $8.00 dollars) and includes entry to the Expo. For more information, click here.

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