Job Discussion Forums

[Guy Courchesne]

Anyone else have a bicycle in Mexico City? I only recently picked one up. I was skeptical at first, given the traffic and bad drivers here, but have been pleasantly surprised at how well the ciclopista works and how many different places one can go with a bike, and a helmet of course.

[obinhwan]

I was contemplating getting a bike, but I fear incurring the wrath of my girlfriend who insists I will die a horrible gruesome death at the hands of a crazy microbus driver.

I'm still contemplating it though.

[MO39]

To anyone contemplating using a bike to get around the city, please don't ignore the lowly pedestrian's right to cross the street at the appropriate time. We have enough to deal with when faced with vehicle drivers who tend to ignore our existence completely!

[jfurgers]

I've thought about getting one of those little motorcycles that I always see the delivery guys on. You know, Pizza Hut, Dominoes, KFC. I drove our van today and it was a great feeling!!
But that thing takes too much gas so I'm learning how to use the buses also. I took the metrobus to Wal-Mart yesterday!! I was so proud of myself.
Being in another country is like being a kid again. You have to learn so many things all over again.

[jfurgers]

[obinhwan]

[Guy Courchesne]

Pedestrians do have the right of way, by the book. Few drivers actually read that book however, so it's a jungle just crossing the street. It tends to boil down to who takes the advantage or lead. When I cross the road, I do it with authority, and people tend to stop. There are times though when it's clear some twit isn't going to stop come green light, yellow light, red light, or high water and so for such people, I'll prudently wait to cross.

[Phil_K]

You just knew that I'd have something to say on this matter

If people want to use bicycles, good luck to them. But please, remember you are subject to the same rules (mainly commonsense) as all other road users, such as we sensible car drivers . That means respecting stop signs, one-way streets, pedestrian crossings etc, and not riding on the sidewalks.

I'm told that in Mexico, if I run a cyclist over, no matter how crazily he is riding, I am responable!!!!! Crazeeeeee!

[lozwich]

[notamiss]

There's a bike path (ciciplopista) to Cuernavaca that follows the ex-railroad (although the final section isn't paved, you can still ride on the dirt trail all the way to Cuernavaca). My daughter does this trek about once a year. Here's a map: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/mexico/mexico-df/499396785. Here's some more detail: http://www.geocities.com/agcronicas/ciclopista.htm including information about the locations of stations where they sell food & drink, bike rentals and bike parts and repairs.

[Guy Courchesne]

[lozwich]

What do you think about riding to work early in the morning (like around 6am) on the ciclopista? Is it a totally separate road, or is it just at the side of the footpath or something? I was thinking it might have an influence on where I decide to live.

[Guy Courchesne]

The ciclopista -painted a fairly bright red - runs sometimes in the middle of large roads, making it tricky to cross at lights, but otherwise protected by raised curbs. At other times, it runs down quiet streets. I haven't seen the north end of it, but it probably runs up the middle of busy roads there too. The whole west end of the path runs through Chapultepec park, some parks in Polanco, and a stretch of Reforma.

6 AM is early enough that you wouldn't be in heavy traffic.

[lozwich]

[Guy Courchesne]

I doubt you'd find yourself on a bike in the parts of town where that's more likely.