Mexico City offers bikes in its clean air campaign

[onehandle]

Source: AP

MEXICO CITY – Pedaling placidly, black-suited businessmen and women in dresses and high heels wheel shiny red bikes between growling green buses, serenaded by shrill police whistles and coughing diesel trucks, the morning sunlight filtering through yellow smog. Happy Earth Day, Mexico City.

With its scofflaw drivers, gridlocked traffic and cobblestoned downtown, Mexico City isn't the most bicycle-friendly place. But residents are being asked to take the risk for Madre Tierra as part of a larger campaign that leaders hope will clean up this 700-year-old metropolis.

"As we commemorate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, cities around the world are putting innovative ideas into action to reduce their carbon footprints. And Mexico City has proven that we don't need to wait for a global commitment to care for the environment," said Mayor Marcelo Ebrard.

This spring the city launched Ecobici, installing 1,100 bikes at 85 stations throughout the center of the city. In its first three months, 4,000 people have paid $24 for user cards they swipe at a rack to release a bicycle for a half-hour. City officials hope to register 24,000 people in the first year.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100422/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_mexico_earth_day_bikes

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As 'merica continues to slide backwards.

[SocialistLez]

1. I'd love to ride my bike around my city

It isn't incredibly TOO hilly and the weather isn't horrible (today).

We just have some HORRIBLE drivers and I'm afraid I'll get hit and rack up some huge bill and/or be killed.

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. Technically speaking, it's a 500 year old metropolis, not 700.

The original city was razed and dumped into the lake and canals, and the new city was essentially built from scratch by the Spanish.

Just saying...

[Robb]

3. I hope we don't have to have cities as smoggy as Mexico City

...before we take actions such as this. It's like eating an elephant, I suppose.

[liberalmike27]

4. Mexico City Is One Place I've Been

Hell, it's the only place I've been, out of the country, on a high school band trip. In 1973 it was dirty, and I suspect it's worse now. Sounds like a good plan. I rode a bike only for three years, and in a way, probably more because of my age, they were the best in my life.

These days, I'm too old, and it's too hot most of the year. But in general, it's one of many great ideas, for those who want to, or can do it. I like the catch and release idea.