If you're in Bogotá over Halloween this year, expect a different rhythm on the roads. The city has announced special motorcycle restrictions running from October 29 through the early hours of November 3, timed to the annual 'terror caravans' — the rodadas del terror, social-media-organised costume rides that flood the capital's streets each spooky season.
The rules are straightforward but strict. From 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the restricted nights, motorcycles cannot carry a passenger anywhere in the city. On top of that, all motorcycle circulation is banned from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on 19 major corridors, including Autopista Norte, Autopista Sur, Avenida Boyacá, Calle 26, Calle 80 and Carrera Séptima. Break the rules and you face a fine of 633,200 Colombian pesos (roughly US$159) plus possible impoundment of the bike. Exemptions exist for identified delivery workers, security, emergency and public-service personnel.
Enforcement will be visible: around 1,000 traffic police and civilian agents backed by 21 mobile checkpoints, under Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán's administration. Last year's Halloween operations ended with 1,711 citations and 963 impounded motorcycles, which gives you an idea of how seriously this is taken.
Why the crackdown? The caravans are a mixed bag. Plenty of rides are just groups in costumes having fun, but authorities worry about stunts, excessive noise, road blockages and reckless riding that gridlocks traffic on one of the busiest holiday weekends of the year. The numbers suggest the effort pays off: between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. over the 2025 holiday weekend, road deaths fell from four the previous year to one, and injuries dropped 51%, according to the city's Mobility Department.
Motorcycles matter enormously in Colombia — around 13.5 million were registered nationwide by the end of 2025, making up 63% of the vehicle fleet — so any restriction of this scale is big news locally, and it directly affects anyone using ride-hailing motorbike services at night.
For travellers, the practical takeaway is simple: plan your evenings. If you're staying out late for Halloween parties or trick-or-treating with kids, expect detours, slower cross-town trips and fewer motorbike taxi options after dark. Stick to designated crossings, keep your distance if you encounter a large group of riders, and call 123 in any emergency. If you're renting or riding a scooter yourself, know the rules before you head out — wearing an approved helmet and skipping the passenger at night could save you a costly fine.
