REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL GEOGRAPHICAL EDUCATION

ISSN: 2146-0353 ● © RIGEO ● 11(10), SPRING, 2021

www.rigeo.org Research Article

CORRELATION ANALYSIS BETWEEN THE LEVELS OF

ENVIRONMENTAL AND BREATHABLE PARTICULATE
MATTER IN A BICYCLE LANE IN THE CITY OF
BOGOTA-COLOMBIA
Astrid Altamar Consuegra1, Sonia Lucila Meneses Velosa2
1Universidad Libre, Bogotá, Facultad de Ingeniería, Bogotá, Colombia, astridd.altamarc@unilibre.edu.co
2Universidad Libre, Bogotá, Facultad de Ingeniería, Bogotá, Colombia, sonial.menesesv@unilibre.edu.co

Abstract
One of the challenges of urban development is to avoid the degradation of environmental resources,
including the quality of air its inhabitants breathe. Rapid industrial growth and urbanization have
generated pressures on the environment, so large cities such as Bogotá face the challenge of balancing
economic development with environmental equilibrium. Due to the increase in air quality alerts in the city
of Bogotá D.C. in Colombia during the last 3 years, added to the rate of diseases associated with
respiratory problems and complaints of exposure to breathable particulate matter by bicycle users who
represent 18% of daily trips in the city, it is necessary to identify the relationship between the levels of
ambient air quality by PM 10 particulate matter and the levels of exposure in microenvironments such as
that of bicycle users in their travels. This article shows the results of direct measurements of breathable
particulate matter of Bicycle users on a bicycle route in the city of Bogotá D.C., and compares them with
the level of air quality by PM10 particulate matter recorded by the Air Quality Stations of the Air Quality
Monitoring Network of Bogotá (RMCAB) closest to the route, in order to demonstrate causal relationships
and define which variables make the Bicycle user more susceptible to be exposed to a level of particulate
matter as a risk factor of their trip. Using sampling techniques and deductive statistical analysis based on
information from direct measurements and secondary information from Bogotá's air quality measurement
stations, it was found that the exposure levels to which bicycle users are exposed are higher than the
ambient air quality levels, with differences of 0.95 µg/m between the measured values and those of the
RMCAB. The canonical correlation coefficients between exposure levels and air quality levels at the
stations were greater than 0.5. The meteorological variables relative humidity and wind speed had an
influence on the exposure levels of the Bicycle users. This work is a contribution to the definition of public
policies that affect the critical variables of this phenomenon not only at the global level of the city but
with a functional approach with its inhabitants who move by bicycle, as a contribution not only to
sustainable mobility but also to the use of cleaner means of transportation.

Keywords: air quality, personal exposure, pm10, bicycle user, microenvironments.

Astrid Altamar Consuegra. (2021) CORRELATION ANALYSIS BETWEEN THE LEVELS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND
BREATHABLE PARTICULATE MATTER IN A BICYCLE LANE IN THE CITY OF BOGOTA-COLOMBIA

Introduction
The development of cities has brought benefits to the population in economic, social and health
terms. However, this growth dynamic generates pressures on the use of resources by the
productive, transportation and service sectors, resulting in pressure on the environment,
generating polluting emissions and waste, among others.
In this sense, environmental degradation is present in the case of Bogota, as supported by several
exploratory studies that identified that the city presents environmental degradation problems at
the level of water and air quality [1], in addition to the study that identifies the causes of this result
in the economic and population growth [2]. At the national level, the importance of measuring,
controlling and treating urban air degradation has been identified since 2015, since its effects are
not only environmental, but also at the level of sustainability of cities. The National Planning
Department of Colombia (DNP) highlights that factors such as displacement, industrial production
and population concentration in cities generate this pollution in the form of dust and gases [3].
Urban air quality is measured by the concentration levels of PM10 (µg/m3) and PM2.5 (µg/m3)
particulate matter.
In Colombia there are regulations on particulate matter pollution through Resolution 2254 of 2017
which establishes the air quality standard that regulates the allowable amounts of pollution (Table
1), but the difference between this standard and reality is significant. In a report by the Regional
Autonomous and Sustainable Development Corporation in Colombia (CAR), there is a trend of
increasing concentration of PM10 and PM 2.5 from 2011 to 2016. [4].

Table 1
Maximum allowable limits for air quality parameters at different measurement times for the
parameters evaluated

Source: Res 2254/2017

The city of Bogota D.C. has presented air quality alerts with high concentrations of particulate
matter more frequently for the last 3 years, the last one was reported in March 2020. The
importance of this concentration of particulate matter is its effect on the health of the population.
A study conducted by Mikael Skou Andersen, a member of an important scientific group at the
University of Aarhus (Denmark), concluded that the high levels of pollution present in the air of the
countries studied (such as China and Mexico) reduce the life expectancy of exposed people by
8 to 10 years. There have also been many studies linking particulate matter air pollution with
diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and acute respiratory problems [5] [6] [7].
In 2019, a report from the National Institute of Health reported that 17,549 people die annually in
Colombia due to causes associated with air pollution [8]. Based on the above, it is concluded that
air pollution in Bogota is now a relevant problem.
The sources of particulate matter emissions into the air in cities are of two types: stationary and
mobile sources. The former refers to emissions from industry and the latter from vehicles. According
to the Colombian National Planning Department, 70% of particulate matter emissions are due to
mobile sources [9]. Regarding these mobile sources, the Secretary of the Environment of Bogotá
established that 21% of mobile emission sources in the city are Transmilenio and Integrated Public
Transport System (SITP) buses.
In response to this problem, for the past 20 years the Bogotá D.C. city administration has been
promoting sustainable mobility based on the use of public transportation, bicycles and walking.
In this sense, the city has increased the participation of these means of transport, where the
bicycle has increased to 13% of daily trips [10].

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Air quality can also be measured in microenvironments at the population exposure level, in
particular, it is usual to measure in the transport microenvironment which includes the exposure of
people while traveling in buses, personal cars, pedestrians and cyclists, from this point of view the
analysis of air quality is one of the important points to consider, since the level of exposure is
generally higher than the ambient concentration value, and is not representative of the exposure
of the population since the standards are based on fixed sampling points [11]. The means of
transport, indoor pollution, to name a few aspects, also influence the exposure levels of the
population to certain pollutants.
The health impacts of air pollution can be measured more accurately if the level of exposure of
the population in microenvironments is taken into account. Generally, exposure levels are
compared to industrial hygiene standards that differ by several orders of magnitude from ambient
air quality standards, and pollutant measurement techniques are derived from those used in
indoor environments. The measurement of exposure levels is complex because exposure may vary
over time and may not be homogeneous [12] [13].
For bicycle users, the Universidad Libre conducted an exploratory study on respirable particulate
matter in a bicycle path in Bogotá [14], in order to measure the level of risk due to exposure [15],
which concludes that this population is exposed to high doses of respirable particulate matter in
their trip with respect to the level established as a limit. It was observed that it is necessary to
identify the correlation between the measurement of particulate matter in the city at air quality
stations and measurements in microenvironments such as bicycle commuting, so that while at the
city level the air quality is acceptable, at the level of bicycle commuter measurements it is higher
than the permitted level.
This study presents the correlation between the measurement of ambient particulate matter from
the information obtained from the air quality stations of the Bogotá Air Quality Monitoring Network
(RMCAB) of the District Secretariat of Environment of Bogotá with measurements of personal
exposure at the level of bicycle users of a bicycle path in the city, with direct measurements and
quantitative analysis, in order to identify common and differential aspects that help to propose
public policy strategies for air quality governance in the city of Bogotá.

METHOD
1. Sampling Methodology
Measurement data were taken during 4 months and three measurements per day in the trip of
bicycle users, of doses of breathable particulate matter, from a sample of bicycle users in their
daily mobility process on a route in the locality of Engativá located in the city of Bogotá D.C., with
a representative sample size. The level of concentration of particulate matter (PM 10) was
defined, taking into account the ACGIH methods and sampling with the NIOSH 600 standard,
laboratory and sampling protocols were used, identifying and avoiding the impact of disturbing
variables. The equipment used consisted of portable sampling pumps used by 3 bicycle users in
their daily bicycle trip from Monday to Friday, with an average duration of 1 hour.
2. Statistical Methodology
The statistical treatment of the data begins with the exploratory analysis of the variables
Particulate Matter-PM10 (µg/m3) for a bicycle path in Bogotá under study (Route 1: Avenida
Ciudad de Cali - Avenida Calle 63 - Avenida Boyacá - Universidad Libre) and the air quality
measurement stations (Route 1: Air quality stations: Kennedy, Puente Aranda, Fontibón).
Considering the measurements made in the same period of time and under the same time slot.
Therefore, the analysis of the variable Particulate Matter-PM10 (µg/m3) is approached under the
temporal approach, in such a way that the behavior of the measurements of this variable for
Bicycle Users and air quality over time is presented. In addition, the correlational analysis between
the particulate matter measurements and the variables Wind Speed (Km/h), Temperature (°C),
Relative Humidity (%) and Precipitation (mm) is included. Taking into consideration that the
measurements of particulate matter were standardized to 24 hours, the following data are
included.
Finally, under the assumption of the existence of associations between the different
measurements of particulate matter for each route and air quality measurement station, linear
modeling based on simple linear regression is used to study the relationship between particulate
matter due to exposure to Bicycle users and particulate matter measured with the air quality

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 Astrid Altamar Consuegra. (2021) CORRELATION ANALYSIS BETWEEN THE LEVELS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND
BREATHABLE PARTICULATE MATTER IN A BICYCLE LANE IN THE CITY OF BOGOTA-COLOMBIA

protocol, and even allows quantifying the association between these variables. These results
involve the validation of distributional assumptions and the estimation of the model fit [16].
Data processing was carried out using Excel 2016 and the free statistical software R-Project vs
4.0.2.

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

The results and their analysis are presented in three parts. In the first part, an exploratory analysis
of the variables related to the measurement of the level of exposure to particulate matter by the
Bicycle users and the data of PM 10 concentrations of the air quality stations near the route of the
Bicycle users is made. Then, separately, the correlational analysis is presented for the
measurements of particulate matter in bicycle users and air quality for each of the stations along
each route analyzed against the available climatic variables. And finally, the results of the linear
model analysis are shown, so that the association between the different particulate matter
measurements can be clearly defined.
3.1. Exploratory Analysis of Particulate Matter Measured to Bicycle Users and Air
Quality
Table 2 shows the analysis of the data related to the measurements of particulate matter on
Biciusuarios in the Biciusuarios Route (Avenida Ciudad de Cali - Avenida Calle 63 - Avenida
Boyacá - Universidad Libre).

Table 2
Descriptive statistics of PM10 (µg/m3) for measurements along the Route
Standard CI al 95%
Station Variable Month Median±se Minimum Median Maximum
Deviation LI LS

Abril 62.9±2.4 10.2 42.0 63.2 80.7 57.7 68.2

PM 10
(µg/m3) Mayo 53.1±1.9 8.9 38.4 51.4 74.3 49.1 57.0

bicycle Junio 47.3±1.7 7.4 34.7 47.4 59.9 43.6 51.0

users
Julio 52.3±2.0 10.7 40.8 47.6 69.8 45.8 58.7
Fontibón
Abril 44.3±2.9 11.8 24.8 45.4 67.6 38.3 50.4
PM 10
(µg/m3) Mayo 34.6±1.9 9.2 23.2 31.9 56.5 30.5 38.7

Air Junio 25.8±1.7 7.3 15.6 30.2 41.7 24.9 32.1

quality
Julio 36.7±2.8 10.0 25.1 36.0 56.1 30.6 42.2

Abril 66.5±2.6 10.8 44.1 66.5 83.0 60.9 72.1

PM 10
(µg/m3) Mayo 60.1±2.0 9.4 44.4 60.4 79.9 67.1 96.1

bicycle Junio 50.7±2.2 8.6 39.8 48.7 71.0 46.5 55.0

users
Julio 54.0±3.1 11.1 38.2 53.2 77.6 47.3 60.7
Kennedy
Abril 42.5±2.2 10.2 28.3 42.1 62.2 37.9 47.0
PM 10
(µg/m3) Mayo 48.0±2.8 11.5 27.0 46.8 68.2 42.1 53.9

Air Junio 32.0±1.9 8.0 20.1 32.4 44.0 28.0 36.0

quality
Julio 38.5±2.5 8.9 27.5 39.5 54.6 33.1 43.9

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 © RIGEO ● Review of International Geographical Education 11(10), Spring 2021

Abril 62.6±2.8 11.7 38.5 61.2 80.0 56.6 68.6

PM 10
(µg/m3) Mayo 53.4±2.8 14.1 35.1 52.9 83.1 47.5 59.2

bicycle Junio 39.6±2.1 8.8 24.1 36.9 57.2 35.3 44.0

users
Puente Julio 37.4±3.2 11.6 27.0 34.8 61.0 30.3 44.4
Aranda Abril 48.7±2.9 11.1 25.4 45.4 70.4 42.4 54.9
PM 10
(µg/m3) Mayo 39.5±2.9 12.0 18.3 39.9 64.3 33.3 45.7

Air Junio 24.7±2.2 9.1 11.7 25.3 42.3 20.1 29.2

quality
Julio 25.9±2.9 10.3 14.0 22.7 47.3 19.7 32.2

se: Standard error of mean estimate. 95% CI: Confidence interval for the average with a
significance of 0.05.
Source: Own elaboration

On this route, the air quality measurement station located in the Fontibón neighborhood (the
closest to the bike path analyzed) has measurements of particulate matter on bicycle users with
higher average values for the month of April with 62.9 µg/m3, and with a true average estimate
of particulate matter between 57.7 µg/m3 and 68.2 µg/m3 with a confidence level of 95%, with a
maximum value of 80.7 µg/m3 as shown in Figure 1. On the contrary, in the air quality data at this
station, the particulate matter with the highest average values for the month of July with 36.7
µg/m3, and with a true average estimate of particulate matter between 30.6 µg/m3 and 42.2
µg/m3 with a confidence level of 95% and a variability of 10 µg/m3.
Figure 1 shows the particulate matter series data by station for the bicycle user and air quality
measurements. The behavior is similar in the three stations for the two variables of interest, where
in April there is a peak of particulate matter in the first week of the month and then there is a
stability in the series, which changes in the last week of April.
In general, the level of exposure of bicycle users exceeds the permissible limit for this variable in
the first week of April and in the last week of June in all stations.

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Astrid Altamar Consuegra. (2021) CORRELATION ANALYSIS BETWEEN THE LEVELS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND
BREATHABLE PARTICULATE MATTER IN A BICYCLE LANE IN THE CITY OF BOGOTA-COLOMBIA

100
Material Particulado Estación Fontibón
Biciusuarios
Calidad del aire
80
60
40
20
0

abr. may. jun. jul.

Meses
Material Particulado Estación Puente Aranda

100

Biciusuarios
Calidad del aire
80
60
40
20
0

abr. may. jun. jul.

Meses

Figure 1 Evolution of PM 10 (µg/m3) by route for measurements in Biciusuarios in the studied route
Source: Own elaboration

3.2. Correlational analysis of climatic variables and particulate matter measured

to Bicycle Users and Air Quality by Route
This section presents correlational analyses of particulate matter measurements on Bicycle Users
along the route studied (Avenida Ciudad de Cali - Avenida Calle 63 - Avenida Boyacá -
Universidad Libre) and their associated climatic variables.
Separate Correlation Analysis for each Air Quality Station
Here are the internal correlation structures for the bicycle user and air quality data with the bike
path data, and then the joint correlations and graphical interpretation of the associations
between the variables studied are established, with emphasis on the behavior of the particulate
matter variable (PM10). Analyzing separately the results for each of the air quality stations
(Fontibón and Puente Aranda, Fontibón and Puente Aranda).

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© RIGEO ● Review of International Geographical Education 11(10), Spring 2021

Biciususarios Calidad de aire Estación Fontibón Fontibón

bicycle user
Biciususarios
Fontibón Station
Calidad de aire Estación
Puente Aranda Station
Calidad de aire Estación Kennedy Calidad de aire Estación Puente Aranda

Temperatura_Fo
Temperatura_Ke

Temperatura_PA
Precipitaciones_B

Temperatura_Fo
Precipitaciones_B
Temperatura_B

velviento_Ke

Dirviento_Ke
velviento_Fo

Dirviento_Fo

velviento_PA

Dirviento_PA
Temperatura_B

velviento_Fo

Dirviento_Fo
PM10_Ke

PM10_PA
PM10_Fo
velviento_B

PM10_Fo
velviento_B

HR_Ke

HR_Fo

HR_Fo
PM10_B

PM10_B
HR_B

HR_B
1 1
1 1
1 1PM10_Ke 1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.6 -0.1 0.8 0.8
PM10_Fo PM10_Fo
1 -0.31 0.2-0.3 -0.30.2 0 -0.3 0.8 0 PM10_PA
0.8 1 -0.2 0.1 -0.2
PM10_B
PM10_B
1 10.2 0.2
0.2 0.3
0.2 -0.3
0.3 0.8
-0.3 0.8 0.6 0.6
0.6 0.6
0.6 0.6
velviento_Ke 1 0 0.4 -0.3 0.4 0.4
velviento_Fovelviento_Fo
1 -0.3 1 0 -0.3 -0.2 0 0.4 -0.2 0.4
HR_B HR_B
1 -0.2
1 0.9
-0.2 -0.9
0.9 -0.9
0.4 0.4 velviento_PA 1 -0.1 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
Dirviento_Ke 1 Dirviento_Fo
-0.1 0.11 0 0
Temperatura_B 10 0 0.1
Dirviento_Fo 1 0 0.1 0 0 0.1 0
Temperatura_B 1 0.1 0 0
-0.2 -0.2 -0.2
-0.2 -0.2 Dirviento_PA 1 0.2
-0.2
Temperatura_Ke Temperatura_Fo
1 -0.4
Precipitaciones_B
Precipitaciones_B 1 1
-1 -1
-0.4 -0.4 Temperatura_Fo 1-0.2 -0.41
-0.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4

-0.6 -0.6 -0.6

-0.6 -0.6 -0.6
Temperatura_PA 1
velviento_B
velviento_B 1 -0.81 -0.8 HR_Ke HR_Fo
1 1HR_Fo
-0.8 -0.8 1 -0.8 -0.8

-1 -1 -1
-1 -1 -1

Figure 2 Correlation matrix for Bicycle Riders and Air Quality measurements on the bike path
Source: Own elaboration

Figure 2 shows that, for the case of bicycle user measurements, there is a low negative correlation
(-0.3) between particulate matter (PM10) measurements and wind speed. And a low positive
correlation (0.3) between measurements of particulate matter (PM10) and precipitation (0.3).
Among the meteorological variables, relative humidity has a very high positive correlation with
precipitation (0.9) indicating that the higher the precipitation the higher the relative humidity, and
a very high negative correlation with wind speed (-0.9) indicating that the higher the wind speed
the lower the relative humidity. It is important to note that the correlations analyzed are statistically
significant at 5%.
In the center of Figure 2 with respect to air quality, there is a low negative correlation (-0.3)
between measurements of particulate matter (PM10) and temperature. And, a low positive
correlation (0.3) between particulate matter (PM10) measurements and wind speed. For the
meteorological variables, a low negative correlation (-0.3) was found between wind speed and
wind direction. It is important to note that the correlations at the Puente Aranda station are very
low, and in some cases null, as shown on the right side of Figure 2.
For the data of the route studied, the canonical correlation coefficients are obtained. The highest
correlation between the measurements of bicycle users and air quality in the Fontibón station is
obtained in the first dimension with a value of 0.66, followed by the second canonical variable
that obtains a canonical correlation coefficient between this variable of 0.43. Bartlett's Chi-square
test indicates that the first two canonical variables are statistically significant at 5% (p-
value=0.17>∝=0.05). And in relation to the canonical correlation coefficients obtained between
the measurements of bicycle users and air quality in the Puente Aranda station, a value of 0.57 is
obtained in the first dimension, followed by the second canonical variable that obtains a
canonical correlation coefficient between this variable of 0.29. Bartlett's Chi-square test indicates
that the first two canonical variables are statistically significant at 5% ( 𝑝 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑟 = 0.17 >∝=
0.05).

2518
Astrid Altamar Consuegra. (2021) CORRELATION ANALYSIS BETWEEN THE LEVELS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND
BREATHABLE PARTICULATE MATTER IN A BICYCLE LANE IN THE CITY OF BOGOTA-COLOMBIA

Bicycle users vs. air quality at

Bicycle users vs. air quality at Puente
Fontibón station
Aranda station
Fontibón station
1.0

1.0
6

3
3
7

2
0.5
0.5

39
38 36 2
PM10_Fo 10

1
HR_B velviento_B 37 19

Dimension 2
56 PM10_PA HR_B
Dimension 2

Dimension 2
velviento_B 6869 4846 Dirviento_PA
61
5857 60
59 1

0.0
6667 63 49 44 8
0.0

47
Tem peratura_BHR_Fo 6462 20
54 55
53
51

0
50 43
4142 45
PM10_B 65 velviento_PA
2928 Precipitaciones_B
Dirviento_Fo 40 14
Temperatura_Fo
velviento_Fo Temperatura_PA
25
26 2423 15 18
Precipitaciones_B 52 27 2221
Temperatura_B
30
1112 13
33
17

-1
-0.5
31
34
32
-0.5

16
35

PM10_B 4

-2
9

-1.0
-1.0

-3
-1.0 -0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0
-1.0 -1.5 -0.5
-1.0 -0.5
0.0
0.0 0.5
0.5 1.0 1.5
1.0 2.0

Dimension 1 Dimension
Dimension1 1

Figure 3 Correlation matrix for Bicycle User and Air Quality measurements on the studied route
Source: Own elaboration

Figure 3 shows the circle of correlations for the measurements of particulate matter (PM10) in
bicycle users and the particulate matter (PM10) measured at the Fontibón and Puente Aranda
air quality stations. Hence, the particulate matter (PM10) measured in the case of bicycle users
has a very low correlation with an inverse relationship with the measurements of this variable for
air quality at the Fontibón station, and it occurs in the same way when crossing the data from the
air quality measurement station located in Puente Aranda. Measurements of particulate matter
(PM10) for bicycle users are strongly associated with all climatic variables at the Fontibón and
Puente Aranda stations.
Joint Analysis between Air Quality Measurements and Particulate Matter Measurements of Bicycle
Users
As a previous step to this analysis, the distributional nature of the data is reviewed through the
Shapiro-Wilks normality test, in which the null hypothesis is that the data come from a normal
population and with a confidence level of 95% some p-values of less than 0.05 are obtained,
which implies the rejection of the null hypothesis and with it the non-normality of the variables.
Hence, it was decided to use Sperman's correlation coefficient as a nonparametric and robust
measure for this data structure.
Air quality Bicycle users

PM10_B_Fo HR_B Temperatura_B Precipitaciones_B velviento_B

0.03
PM10_B_Fo

0.02 Corr: Corr: Corr: Corr:

0.01
0.516*** -0.157 0.332** -0.403***

0.00

PM10_Fo HR_Fo Temperatura_Fo Dirviento_Fo velviento_Fo

0.9 Corr: Corr: Corr:
HR_B

0.04
-0.207. 0.858*** -0.905***
PM10_FoTemperatura_B

0.03
0.8 Corr: Corr: Corr: Corr:
0.02
0.160 -0.306** 0.083 -0.177
0.01
14
0.00
Corr: Corr:
Figure90124 Correlation of PM 10 (µg/m3) and climatic variables in the bike path Fontibón
-0.040 0.077 Station
Source:8010Own elaboration
HR_FoPrecipitaciones_B

Corr: Corr: Corr:

70 -0.169 0.122 -0.215.
120
60
15
90
Corr:
Temperatura_Fo

14
2519 -0.953***
60
13 Corr: Corr:
30
12 0.037 -0.009
11
vel
© RIGEO ● Review of International Geographical Education 11(10), Spring 2021

Figure 4 shows that particulate matter in bicycle user measurements has a moderate direct linear
correlation (0.52) with relative humidity, a moderate indirect linear correlation (-0.40) with wind
speed, and a low direct linear correlation (0.33) with precipitation; these correlations are
statistically significant at 5%. Particulate matter in air quality presents a low indirect linear
correlation (-0.31) and statistically significant with temperature (-0.33).
PM10_B_Ke HR_B Temperatura_B Precipitaciones_B velviento_B
Calidad del aire Bicycle users

0.03

PM10_B_Ke
0.02 Corr: Corr: Corr: Corr:
0.01 0.528*** -0.083 0.388*** -0.460***

0.00
PM10_B_Ke HR_B Temperatura_B Precipitaciones_B velviento_B
0.03

PM10_B_Ke
0.02 Corr: Corr: Corr: Corr:
0.01 0.528*** -0.083 0.388*** -0.460***

0.00

0.9 Corr: Corr: Corr:

HR_B
-0.207. 0.858*** -0.905***
0.8

0.9

Temperatura_B
14

Corr: Temperatura_Ke Corr: Corr:

Corr: Corr:
12
-0.040 0.077

HR_B PM10_Ke
10

Precipitaciones_B
120

90
Corr:
-0.953***
60

PM10_Ke HR_Ke Precipitaciones_Ke Dirviento_Ke velviento_Ke

30

velviento_B
7

5
40 50 60 70 80 0.8 0.9 10 12 14 30 60 90 120 5 6 7

-0.207. 0.858*** -0.905***

0.8
0.03
Corr: Corr: Corr: Corr: Corr:
0.02
0.221. -0.177 -0.145 0.203. -0.256*

Temperatura_B
0.01
14
0.00 Corr: Corr:
12
80 PM10_Ke HR_Ke Precipitaciones_Ke Temperatura_Ke Dirviento_Ke velviento_Ke
-0.040 0.077

PM10_Ke
0.03
Corr: Corr: Corr: Corr: Corr:
0.02
0.01 0.221. -0.177 -0.145 0.203. -0.256*
0.00
80

HR_Ke
70 Corr: Corr: Corr: Corr:

HR_Ke
0.190 -0.225. 0.116 -0.342**
60

Corr:

Precipitaciones_Ke
10 Corr: in the Kennedy
Corr: Corr:
6
4 Corr: Corr: Corr:

Figure705 Correlation of PM 10 (µg/m3) and climatic variables station bike path

2 -0.060 -0.080 0.011
0

Temperatura_Ke Dirviento_Ke
14
13 Corr: Corr:
12 -0.007 0.425***
11

300
200
Corr:
100 -0.006
0

velviento_Ke
3
2

0.190 -0.225. 0.116 -0.342**

1

Source:60Own elaboration
20 30 40 50 60 70 60 70 80 0 2 4 6 11 12 13 14 0 100 200 300 1 2 3

Precipitaciones_B
120

Precipitaciones_Ke
Corr:
Figure 5 906shows that particulate matter in bicycle user measurements has a moderate direct linear
-0.953***
correlation
60
4 (0.53) with relative humidity, a moderate indirectCorr: linear correlation
Corr: (-0.46)
Corr:with wind
speed, 30and
2
a low direct linear correlation (0.39) with precipitation;
-0.060 -0.080these correlations
0.011 are
statistically significant at 5%. Particulate matter in air quality presents a low indirect linear

velviento_B
correlation
07
(-0.26) and statistically significant with wind speed.

Temperatura_Ke
146
13 PM10_B_PA HR_B Temperatura_B
Corr:
Precipitaciones_B
Corr:
velviento_B
Bicycle users

125
0.020
-0.007 0.425***

PM10_B_PA
11 40 50 60 70 80 0.8 0.9 10 12 14 30 60 90 120 5 6 7
0.015 Corr: Corr: Corr: Corr:
0.010 0.636*** -0.106 0.538*** -0.599***

Dirviento_Ke
300
0.005
0.000
200
Corr:
100 0.020
PM10_B_PA HR_B Temperatura_B Precipitaciones_B velviento_B
-0.006
PM10_B_PA

0.015 Corr: Corr: Corr: Corr:

0.010 0.636*** -0.106 0.538*** -0.599***
0.005
0.000

0.9 Corr: Corr: Corr:

HR_B

-0.207. 0.858*** -0.905***

0.8

0.9 Corr: Corr: Corr:

Temperatura_B

14

HR_B
Corr: Corr:
12
-0.040 0.077
10

0
Precipitaciones_B

120

90
Corr:
-0.953***
60

30
velviento_B

PM10_PA Precipitaciones_PA Temperatura_PA Dirviento_PA velviento_PA

6

5
40 60 80 0.8 0.9 10 12 14 30 60 90 120 5 6 7

-0.207. 0.858*** -0.905***

Air quality

velviento_Ke
0.8
3
0.020
PM10_PA

0.015 Corr: Corr: Corr: Corr:

2
0.010 -0.081 -0.079 0.220. -0.095
Temperatura_B

14
0.005
1
0.000 Corr: Corr:
Precipitaciones_PA

12
20 30 40 50 60 70 60 70 80 0 2 46 11 12 13 14 PM10_PA Precipitaciones_PA Temperatura_PA Dirviento_PA velviento_PA
-0.040
0 100 200 300 10.077
2 3
1.0
0.020
PM10_PA

0.015 Corr: Corr: Corr: Corr:

0.010 -0.081 -0.079 0.220. -0.095
0.005

10
0.000
Precipitaciones_PATemperatura_PA

1.0

Corr: Corr: Corr:

Corr: Corr: Corr:
0.5 -0.037 0.008 0.059

0.0
14
13
Corr: Corr:
12

Figure0.56 Correlation of PM 10 (µg/m3) and climatic

-0.037variables in the Puente Aranda bike path
0.118 0.228.
11
10
Dirviento_PA

300
200
Corr:
-0.122
100
0
3
velviento_PA

0.008 0.059
20 40 60 0.0 0.5 1.0 10 11 12 13 14 0 100 200 300 1 2 3
Precipitaciones_B

120 station
Source:90
Own elaboration
0.0
Corr:
Temperatura_PA

14
-0.953***
13
60 Corr: Corr:
Figure 63012 shows that particulate matter in bicycle user measurements has a
0.118 linear high direct
0.228.
correlation (0.64) with relative humidity, a high indirect linear correlation (-0.60) with wind speed,
11
10
velviento_B

and a 7moderate direct linear correlation (0.54) with precipitation; these correlations are
Dirviento_PA

statistically
300
6
significant at 5%. Particulate matter in air quality presents a very lowCorr: direct linear
correlation
200
(0.22) and statistically significant with wind direction. -0.122
Linear Models
1005
40for Particulate
60 80 Matter
0.8 Measurements
0.9 10 12 14 30 60 90 120 5 6 7
In order 3to determine the association between particulate matter from exposure to bicycle users
0
velviento_PA

and particulate
2
matter with air quality measurements, a simple linear regression model between
these variables, and its evaluation of fit, is established. It is worth mentioning that no appropriate
1
model was found to explain the particulate matter in bicycle users as a function of air quality
20 40 60 0.0 0.5 1.0 10 11 12 13 14 0 100 200 300 1 2 3

2520
Astrid Altamar Consuegra. (2021) CORRELATION ANALYSIS BETWEEN THE LEVELS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND
BREATHABLE PARTICULATE MATTER IN A BICYCLE LANE IN THE CITY OF BOGOTA-COLOMBIA

particulate matter. And the estimated parameters are very similar so this report specifies the
model for the Puente Aranda station.
Datos_biciusuarios_Ajustado.PM10_B_PA Datos_biciusuarios_Ajustado.PM10_PA

Datos_biciusuarios_Ajustado.PM10_B_PADatos_biciusuarios_Ajustado.PM10_PA
0.020

0.015
Corr:
0.010 0.957***

0.005

0.000

60

40

20

40 60 80 20 40 60

Figure 7 Correlation of PM 10 (µg/m3) and climatic variables in the Puente Aranda bike path
station
Source: Own elaboration

Figure 7 shows that particulate matter in bicycle user measurements has a very high direct linear
correlation (0.96) with air quality particulate matter. This suggests an appropriate linear model with
a goodness of fit of 92% and validation of the distributional assumptions of the model. Therefore,
it can be said that for each additional unit of particulate matter in air quality there is a 0.95 µg/m3
increase in particulate matter in the exposure to bicycle users.

CONCLUSIONS
• The study concludes that the levels of particulate matter to which bicycle users are
exposed are correlated with the behavior of air quality measured at the city's air quality stations
located along the route studied. But it is not enough to define its value, since all the exposure
scenarios experienced by the bicycle user must be taken into account to determine the exposure
levels in a complete way. Therefore, air quality levels contribute to the level of particulate matter
to which the bicycle users are exposed, but it is not the only variable that defines the level of
exposure.
• There are differences between personal exposure levels and background concentrations
of criteria pollutants. In this study it was found that for each additional unit of ambient particulate
matter concentrations there is an increase of 0.95 µg/m3 in the exposure levels measured in
bicycle users, which is a key point to define the true impacts of the concentration of particulate
matter on health. This is why the information from the city's air quality stations should be
complemented with measurements in microenvironments such as on-road measurements in order
to determine the level of exposure adjusted to particulate matter.
• As with ambient air quality measurements, meteorological variables also have an
influence on the levels of respirable particulate matter by bicyclists on the route studied, in
particular wind speed and relative humidity are relevant.
• It is observed that within the bicycle trip planning process it is necessary to consider the risk
of exposure to respirable particulate matter in order to take individual measures. With this study it
is expected that public policies on air quality improvement measures will be increased and more
specific measures will be taken in the territory to avoid critical or acute exposures in bicycle users.

2521
© RIGEO ● Review of International Geographical Education 11(10), Spring 2021

Acknowledgment
THANKS to the UNIVERSIDAD LIBRE Bogotá for the technical and financial support to this project.

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