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Not-th@-m@ · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 11

or a similar Mexican community for that matter. Has anyone tried it? Is it common? What kind of problems might I encounter? A bike has been my primary vehicle, more or less, for the last fifteen years and I've commuted in some pretty sketchy areas before. I'm going to use my bike no matter what, but I just want to know what I should be prepared for. Anyone?

wildchild · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

if you don't make enough money TEFLing, you could always start bike-courier service hauling wares to market. Laughing

Not-th@-m@ · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 11

GueroPaz · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 216 Location: Thailand or Mexico

Pushbike, or motorcycle?

MELEE · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:30 pm Post subject:

It's not un heard of but not common either. (I'm assuming he means bicycle) What I recommend people who are coming here do is not to bike during the first month. Take public transport and walk. Observe the streets. Stand on the corner and watch the traffic--it moves in a different way than in the US. After at least a month of getting a feel for the traffic, then hop on. You can buy a decent bike, new or refurbished here, at a good price. But don't forget your helmut!

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

We just bought bikes last weekend, and rode them home. It was amazing how fast we got through the city. However, Mexico does have a bike path that makes it a little less dangerous. Being aware of how drivers drive is certainly good, and important advice.

Now, if only my a$$ wasn�t so sore from the seat that I could go for another ride . . . Embarassed

sarliz · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Jalisco

I rode a bike around Oaxaca and was comfortable, except for the hills. I'm from the uber-flat Midwest, and ended up pushing on a few streets. I did live on the Cerro del Fortin, the highest spot in the city, but still. But I would do as Melee says, and hoof it a bit first to get the lay of the land and understand how traffic works. But downtown, I'd say you'll be fine shortly.

I also tried riding my bike around Guadalajara and got hit in the first two weeks. Nothing serious, but enough to swear off riding there. Supposedly they're going to build some dedicated bike lanes in the next few years, which will be great.

Now I live in a wee town, where more people ride bikes than use cars, and am perfectly content. Smile

Not-th@-m@ · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 11

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Do you mean the city of Oaxaca, or the state of Oaxaca?
The city is higher up in the mountains and has a pleasant, temperate climate. The traffic is not that bad by Mexican standards, and commuting on a bicycle would be perfectly doable.

Now, down on the plains or the coast... it can be damned hot and humid through much of the year. When I taught on the coast, there were a couple of other teachers who tried commuting by bicycle, and both gave it up after a month. It was way too hot and muggy to want to do much riding except perhaps very early in the morning or after sunset.

Not-th@-m@ · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 11

debmport · Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Guadalaholla

I ride a bike daily here in GDL. The traffic is insane and it's real scary, but I enjoy rush. My students think I'm crazy. I have ridden nearly the entire periferico and once, I biked to the top of 'el cerro del cuatro'.

I also lived in Oaxaca and think it would be a little more tame than here. Hell, I have nowhere near 15 years of experience. You should be fine.