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Bikeways For Freeways |
by Stephen Johnson
MEXICO CITY - Eight years ago, Roberto Cruz traded in his Ford Mustang for a bicycle and has never regretted the decision . Cruz, originally from Mexico, quickly became an activist with a Mexico City-based cycling organization called Bicitekas.
Cruz explains, “I used to pick up my wife with my car. Her co-worker asked me why I did not take my bike. He convinced me to buy a bicycle and invited me on a ride with a group of friends who promoted cycling. I had a great time and wanted to become active with the group.”
The number of people participating on the rides grew to the point where it was necessary to establish a more formal organization. “We decided to create a cycling collective called Bicitekas,” says Cruz. “A website was established to promote the bicycle as a form of transportation. We protested the entire car culture and campaigned for a more liveable city by using a bike,” he explains.
The Biciteka rides became part of a larger cycling movement called Critical Mass. Critical Mass bike rides are held the last Friday of every month in cities around the world with the motto that cyclists should have as many rights and facilities as cars.
According to Cruz,members of Bicteka quickly understood that they were not just an organization promoting bicycling, but also a political and environmental group. Reporters were invited to attend bike rides and events. Newspapers like the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune featured articles about the Biciteka movement. Connections were made with other cycling groups from Bogota to San Francisco.
Among its achievements, Biciteka counts its successful effort to lobby the government of Mexico City to divert a portion of funding earmarked for more freeways to the construction of that city’s first bicycle paths.
Now living in Ottawa, Cruz is still active with Biciteka through e-mail and Internet discussion groups. He says he is proud of the group’s accomplishments and feels that the movement has a bright future.
“We helped raise the profile of the bicycle in Mexico City,” says Cruz. “A simple thing like taking a bicycle on the subway during weekends is now possible. There is a new generation becoming involved and more of an understanding that the bicycle is important for a healthy environment,” he concludes.
Contact: www.bicitekas.org
MEXICO CITY - Eight years ago, Roberto Cruz traded in his Ford Mustang for a bicycle and has never regretted the decision . Cruz, originally from Mexico, quickly became an activist with a Mexico City-based cycling organization called Bicitekas.
Cruz explains, “I used to pick up my wife with my car. Her co-worker asked me why I did not take my bike. He convinced me to buy a bicycle and invited me on a ride with a group of friends who promoted cycling. I had a great time and wanted to become active with the group.”
The number of people participating on the rides grew to the point where it was necessary to establish a more formal organization. “We decided to create a cycling collective called Bicitekas,” says Cruz. “A website was established to promote the bicycle as a form of transportation. We protested the entire car culture and campaigned for a more liveable city by using a bike,” he explains.
The Biciteka rides became part of a larger cycling movement called Critical Mass. Critical Mass bike rides are held the last Friday of every month in cities around the world with the motto that cyclists should have as many rights and facilities as cars.
According to Cruz,members of Bicteka quickly understood that they were not just an organization promoting bicycling, but also a political and environmental group. Reporters were invited to attend bike rides and events. Newspapers like the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune featured articles about the Biciteka movement. Connections were made with other cycling groups from Bogota to San Francisco.
Among its achievements, Biciteka counts its successful effort to lobby the government of Mexico City to divert a portion of funding earmarked for more freeways to the construction of that city’s first bicycle paths.
Now living in Ottawa, Cruz is still active with Biciteka through e-mail and Internet discussion groups. He says he is proud of the group’s accomplishments and feels that the movement has a bright future.
“We helped raise the profile of the bicycle in Mexico City,” says Cruz. “A simple thing like taking a bicycle on the subway during weekends is now possible. There is a new generation becoming involved and more of an understanding that the bicycle is important for a healthy environment,” he concludes.
Contact: www.bicitekas.org
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