“Do Leme ao Pontal” a famous song echoes in your mind. That’s exactly where the Ciclovia Tim Maia runs. Here at the Mirante da Ciclovia São Conrado-Barra, you get the best view.
The Mirante da Ciclovia São Conrado-Barra offers more than just a pretty view. It tells a story of Rio’s ambition. It also tells of its challenges in connecting its coastal communities. This bike path runs along the Atlantic Ocean. It links Leblon in the South Zone to Barra da Tijuca in the West Zone.
The Ciclovia Tim Maia is named after Tim Maia. He was a famous singer. His song celebrates the journey from Leme to Pontal. This route covers 35 kilometers.
The path includes tunnels, elevated sections and bridges. Parts of it also run on the surface. The project aimed to create a continuous path for cyclists.
In January 2016 parts of the Ciclovia Tim Maia opened. It seemed like a dream. Cyclists could travel along the coast. But nature had other plans.
The elevated section between São Conrado and Vidigal faced problems. This part was built on a rocky slope. It was squeezed between the ocean and the Tijuca Massif. Landslides and rockfalls were common here.
In April 2016 disaster struck. A strong wave hit the elevated section. Two blocks of the bike path collapsed. Sadly two people died.
More collapses followed in 2019. These were caused by landslides during storms. Part of the path on São Conrado beach also sank. This was due to a storm as well.
Today only parts of the Ciclovia Tim Maia are open. These include 2.1 km from Leblon to Vidigal and 1.7 km on São Conrado beach. The open parts have existed since the 1990s.
The Ciclovia Tim Maia’s structure is complex. It includes tunnels, elevated sections and surface paths. The terrain demanded different engineering solutions.
The idea for bike paths in Rio started in 1992. The city hosted the UN Conference on the Environment. Some paths were built on former parking spaces. This caused complaints at the time.
By the 2010s Rio had 32 kilometers of coastal bike paths. But these sections were not connected. Rocky mountains blocked the way.
In the 2010s Rio decided to connect the paths. The city was preparing for the 2016 Olympic Games. The project included a path along Avenida Niemeyer. Another was built on the Elevado do Joá.
The first section opened in January 2016. It cost about R$ 45 million. The new paths made it possible to cycle from Leme to Pontal. That is why it was named after Tim Maia.
The collapse in April 2016 raised questions. Engineers wondered if the structure was weak. People asked if there should be a monitoring system. This system could close the path during rough seas.
The investigation led to charges against 16 people. These included city employees and contractors.
The damaged section was rebuilt in 2017. New pillars and stronger supports were added. But the path remained closed by court order.
Another collapse occurred in February 2019. A landslide caused more damage. A section of the path fell. The Avenida Niemeyer was also affected.
Despite the problems the Mirante da Ciclovia São Conrado-Barra remains. It is a reminder of Rio’s ambition. It shows the effort to connect the city. It also highlights the power of nature.