I have spent the past two weeks falling in love with Mexico City. And while being continually amazed over the endlessly beautiful sites and sounds, I have taken some time to ogle the bicycles as well.
While drivers and pedestrians war over the crosswalks and cars find themselves throttling full speed ahead through four lanes of traffic without so much as a backwards glance, cyclists are staking a claim on the roadways. And these brave warriors, risking the contents of their stomachs (and possibly limb and life as well), are helping Mexico City become a more clean, healthy, beautiful place.
The city’s government has certainly helped the cause as well. This city has one of the most active bicycle-share programs I have ever seen.
This bike share program allows residents to ride any one of the numerous bikes available throughout the city for only 400 pesos a year. Simply sign up once and ride to your heart’s content.
Even businessmen grab bicycles from the program and head to meetings!
And the multitude of sectioned-off cycling lanes puts many other cities to shame. Painted bright green and shielded from crazy cars by metal poles, these lanes are roomy and easily ridden!
Of course, with the horrible traffic and lack of parking, deliveries are almost exclusively by bikes (either cool bicycles shown here, or motorcycles).
Although I did not brave the insane roadways here, I have enjoyed meeting cyclists courageous enough to hit the concrete here. I’ll be back to ride — once I save up a little chutzpah first!
Just keep spinning. –Arielle