The Metropolitan Regional Government has announced the implementation of a "Master Plan for Bike Paths," which projects the construction of 820 new kilometers of infrastructure across the capital. The project aims to connect all 34 municipalities in the region through a high-standard network designed to complement existing routes.
According to reports from latercera.com, the initiative involves a total investment of $9,689,929,000 CLP. The network will be organized into three levels of connectivity: 420 kilometers of metropolitan routes, 214 kilometers of inter-municipal routes, and 184 kilometers of local municipal routes.
Governor Claudio Orrego noted that cycling has established itself as an essential mode of transport. “For that reason, we want to make Santiago the most bikeable city in Latin America by promoting this Master Plan for Bike Paths, ensuring that residents from Santiago, San Bernardo, or Puente Alto can reach the city center comfortably, quickly, and safely,” the official stated.
The announcement comes amid uncertainty regarding key road projects. The administration of José Antonio Kast has not prioritized the expansion of bike paths, instead focusing resources on the housing deficit. Data from the Regional Government indicates that while 754 new kilometers were completed in the previous period, thousands of additional kilometers are currently in the design and planning stages.
Tension Surrounding the Nueva Alameda Project
There is growing concern regarding the continuity of the Nueva Alameda-Providencia project. Following statements made by Housing Minister Iván Poduje in Congress, work on this major artery has entered a state of uncertainty, putting the construction of its dedicated bike path at risk.
Section 3 of the Nueva Alameda Bike Path, which aims to link Estación Central, Lo Prado, and Maipú, currently depends on funding from the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism (Minvu). Orrego criticized the possibility of halting the works, stating that “you don't build a city by constantly erasing and starting over.”
“As long as I am governor, no project where the Santiago Government is investing will be left abandoned,” Orgiello assured. The regional leader also denounced that halting the project in the western sector would create an “unnecessary social fracture.”
The Nueva Alameda Bike Path project includes a $527,251,896 CLP investment from the Regional Government for its design phase. The final infrastructure will feature 59 bike boxes, 114 pedestrian crossings with universal accessibility, cyclist-counting sensors, and new repair stations.
The regional authority emphasized that the importance of these works is reflected in the current usage of the network. “Building bike paths is not a luxury; it is an investment in mobility, health, safety, and a better quality of life for everyone,” Orrego concluded.
