We may not have park runs but....

[Vixchile]

Every Sunday they close the main road in santiago. This new discovery is like the best present ever. So imagine... You join the road, people are out cycling (we were cyclists today) or jogging, rollar blading, even people on skate boards and scooters. Grandparents with their grandchildren cycling, families all on bikes, young, old, fat, thin and it felt like there must have thousands along the route. There are water stops, places to get your bike repaired or you can even hire a bike from Quaker oats, who also give out free oath bars. It's not so busy as you feel you can't over take or have no room. It's great, it's free, it's safe and the city funds people to stop traffic.

We cycled for 1.5hours before we turned back to make the start of the World Cup and we didn't reach the end so I don't know how many km the stretch is. It's great very well used nobody is thinking about insurance or complaining if road condition is not perfect. It's great!

If santiago can do why can't other cities in England do it. Sometimes I feel in England there are so many reason why we would say no... What if someone falls off their bike, or hurts their knee jogging, what if people think they must cycle/run the whole distance, what about traffic, what about the cost? Etc etc. sometimes you just need to say use at your own risk and that is fine because it means thousands of people are outside exercising for free.

Every Sunday of the year from 9am-2pm.

[AncientMum Graduate]

Sounds amazing!

[Beads Graduate]

Sounds fab! Back out next Sunday?

[Vixchile Graduate in reply to Beads]

Not next Sunday unfortunately as is argentine tasting the vino but will be out the following Sunday for sure!

[christian1 Graduate]

It sounds brilliant. I don't know why the Uk can't do stuff like that. H & S bonkers and , deary me, but what would the motorists do?

[Vixchile Graduate in reply to christian1]

We didn't know the full extent of the route and set up until today, no motorists moan that they can't use the roads that are closed, wait patiently for people to cross. 8/10 times cars stop anyway if some one (even cyclists, who use the pavements) look like they might cross the road. It's great !

[ju-ju- Graduate]

wonderful...we just need to get out there and do it, thats how a movement starts

[Vixchile Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

I think your right, it was lovely to see so many people out.

[AmberC Graduate]

Wow that sounds brilliant and such a fantastic way to bring the community together, I imagine there must have been much joy and laughter. Enjoy.

[misswobble Graduate]

Sounds right good fun! I think we don't walk together enough, as families that is. When I went on holidays to Malta and Cyprus I noticed that after tea families all got together and walked into town. Once there they had coffee or whatever, chatted to other families and it was great to see. Totally civilised and relaxed. I think the daily ritual of the "promenade" has been largely forgotten in today's high paced carry on.

[Vixchile Graduate]

Yeah I agree, it's lovely seeing people out together!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

There is a collective movement called Reclaim The Streets, which takes over parts of towns and cities, throughout Europe, using the philosophy that it is vehicular traffic that causes the congestion that prevents pedestrians and cyclists from enjoying their own spaces. My daughter has often taken part in RTS bike rides through Catania in Sicily and says it generates a wonderful party atmosphere, which sounds similar to your Chilean experience. The main difference is that yours is sanctioned by the authorities.

[Vixchile Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Sounds interesting - will need to google it. I must admit i have been really impressed with the local authority and government there is a lot of outdoor space and it well used and more importantly maintained. Everyday people are out sweeping, cleaning fountains, cutting the plants etc etc. Plus they are even developing a new 42km cycle path which will no doubt be used by runners, which is great.