Cycling in Mexico City improved greatly in the early 21st century with constant expansion and improvement of infrastructure and government programs to promote cycling in the city. The city's goals are to improve mobility in the city and to improve air quality by reducing the reliance on automobiles and buses. Improving the fitness of city residents is an added benefit as is providing recreational opportunities that will attract visitors.
The city government publishes a guidebook for cyclists, available for free download: CDMX Cyclist Guide.
Bike infrastructure
[edit]Ecobici
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More than 90 bike rental stations are scattered around the city, particularly in popular downtown tourist areas such as the Centro Historico, Zona Rosa, Chapultepec, and Coyoacan. Registration is required to use the bikes which can be used free of charge for up to 45 minutes. Travelers can register for as little as one day or for up to a full year. A one day registration costs about M$120 (US$6). Ecobici stations are often next to Metro stations. Registration and more information about the program is on the city's Ecobici web page (which has a button to switch language between Spanish and English).
Bike lanes
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Mexico City has more than 200 km of dedicated bike lanes. Bike lanes (called ciclovias) are generally wide, well-marked and have physical barriers between bikes and traffic.
Bicipuertos
[edit]Also known as biciestacionamientos, these can be thought of as parking garages for bikes. The bicipuertos are strategically located near major Metro stations. The largest bicipuertos have space for hundreds of bikes and are designated as supermasivo. The idea is that people can ride their bike to the bicipuerto where the bike can be securely stored for hours (or all day) and then Metro trains can be used to go longer distances, or to less bike-friendly parts of the city. The bike storage facilities are operated by the city's Secretaria de Movilidad (known as "Semovi"). Riders who want to use the parking facilities must register through Semovi.
Bicipuerto locations include:
- 1 La Raza, Av. Insurgentes Norte 1100, Vallejo Poniente (Metro Line 3 to La Raza). Daily 05:00 - 01:00. Supermasivo
- 2 Pantitlán, Calle Elena Garro 196, Centro de Transferencia Modal (CETRAM) Pantitlán. Daily 05:00 - 01:00. Supermasivo
- 3 El Rosario, Cultura Norte, Col. El Rosario. Daily 05:00 - 01:00.
- 4 Periférico Oriente, Av. Tlahuac 1528, Tulyehualco Canal de Garay, Iztapalapa. Daily 05:00 - 01:00.
- 5 Tlahuac, San Rafael Atlixco 122, El Triángulo, Tláhuac. Daily 05:00 - 01:00.
- 6 Escuadrón 201, Granjas San Antonio, Iztapalapa. Daily 05:00 - 01:00.
- 7 La Villa, Aquiles Serdán 43, Aragón La Villa. Daily 05:00 - 01:00.
- 8 Glorieta de los Insurgentes, Glorieta de los Insurgentes, Roma. Daily 05:00 - 01:00.
Integrating bikes and urban transit
[edit]Buses in Mexico City do not have bike racks and bikes are difficult to carry on public transit. Folding bikes are always allowed on all trains and buses.
Metro: allows bikes only during non-peak hours, typically 10:00 to 16:00 and at night after 22:00. Bikes are allowed all day on Sundays. Bikes are only allowed in the designated car (usually the last car on the train).
Metrobus (BRT): Allows bikes weekdays before 06:30 and after 22:00 and all day Sunday. Bikes must be behind the accordion joint in articulated buses.
Uber
[edit]Most Uber drivers have small cars that cannot accommodate bikes. Some drivers will reject the ride if your bike is dirty or cannot be easily secured. UberXL is usually vans or large SUVs that are more likely to be able to accommodate a bike.
Routes
[edit]Mexico City has one of the best bike route networks in North America. Some routes pass through parks, particularly Chapultepe Park while many are dedicated bike lanes along major thoroughfares. The dedicated bike lanes are paved, physically separated from traffic, and generally flat and very easy to ride. There are also numerous routes on cycling websites and on alltrails.com.
Some of the city's best bike routes are:
- Paseo de la Reforma - the city's well-known Sunday bike rides take over the entire roadway, but there are also dedicated bike lanes along the busy thoroughfare that can be used any day. The route goes from the Centro Historico, through the modern towers of the financial district, and along Chapultepec Park.
- Ciclovía La Gran Tenochtitlán - 30km bike route that runs along the busy Calzada de Tlalpan from the Centro Historico to Estadio Azteca in Tlalpan.
- Ciclopista Ferrocarril de Cuernavaca - 105km bike routes from Mexico City to Cuernavaca, the car-free paved bike trail uses a retired railway right of way. It is a tree-lined route that passes near small towns and parks. A good shorter ride is from Mexico City to the town of Tres Marias, about a 35-km ride.
- Coyoacan Cultural Route - 8km scenic route from Coyoacan Centro, past Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul, ending in the Viveros de Coyoacan National Park.
- Bosque de Chapultepec - well-maintained bike paths take a 5-km loop through sections 1, 2, and 3 of the park where you can stop at myriad tourist attractions, including museums, the lakes, the zoo and more. Mountain bike riders will find hills and less "improved" paths in section 4 of the park.
Events
[edit]The CDMX government promotes cycling with a number of events and special rides to encourage people to ride bikes. Information is on the Muevete en Bici web page.
- Muevete en Bici / Paseo Dominical - every Sunday Paseo de la Reforma and a number of other downtown city streets are closed to traffic as bikes take over downtown. Free loaner bikes are available.
- Cicloton - on the last Sunday of the month, a long route closed to vehicle traffic, usually passing through several boroughs (alcaldias) takes 4 to 7 hours to complete. Some months have special themes (like Christmas). Rides typically cover 65+ km.
- Paseo Nocturno - Saturday nights from 19:00 to 22:00, a section of downtown is closed to vehicle traffic and cyclists are invited to ride under the city lights
Stay safe
[edit]Bike riders need to be alert for dangers because traffic is very heavy in most of the city. Additionally, pedestrians often step into bike lanes and cars frequently park with little regard for parking regulations. Most rules for bike riders are the same as for motor vehicles:
- Bikes are required to use the street (not sidewalks), and bike lanes (ciclovias) should be used as much as possible
- Bikes should travel in the same direction as traffic
- Bikes are not allowed in lanes marked for buses
- Helmets are not required, but are a wise precaution
- City law requires a front white light and rear red light if you are riding at night or in inclement weather