will or won’t be constructed one in CDMX?
In a city devoured by motorized transport, every inch of constructed bike way is a giant development won by and for urban cycling, but cyclist keep exposed to certain risks inside of these exclusive lanes, risks that may have a solution with the construction of an elevated cycle path.
A bike way of this type, as the name mentions, its construction is elevated over floor and as raised cycle tracks, connect with main avenues and strategical points of mobility.
A project like this can have different benefits, as a better connectivity, faster transportation by bike; and as we already mentioned, accident reduction.
After all, even though the effort to confine bike ways to separate them from car lanes, cyclists still have the risk of being run over or shocked by “dooring” before the recklessness of some motorists that invade bike ways.
Of course, a project of this type may seem impossible but it isn’t. For example, China already has its own elevated bike lane, providing good results.
If you want to explore more about this proposal in Mexico City (CDMX), join us in this journey.
MOVI and the desire for the elevated bike way
This idea has been a proposal during some years by the MOVI project, an alternate system of mobility in the charge of José Antonio Cabrera Montenegro.
The meaning is, mentioned Cabrera to Real Estate Market, mobilize a million and a half of people in different stages. All this through the construction of approximately 248 miles of elevated bike route that will connect CDMX in different points.
The investment of private initiative wants to create a sustainable transport system network through this bike way. Thanks to this can circulate e-bikes, conventional ones, rollerblades, wheelchairs and any non-motorized vehicle.
From where to where?
In accordance with the MOVI director, elevated bike way will be constructed between 29.5 ft to 49.2 ft above ground.
The construction will pass by really important avenues with great connectivity as Insurgentes, Viaducto, Tlalpan, Patriotismo, Periférico, Circuito Interior and others. Also the track from Insurgentes to El Caminero is considered as the most important one.
The purpose is having stops in strategical zones and important connections during 246 miles. For example, connecting with other means of transport as metro and taking users from estadio Azteca to historic center in a 40 minutes bike journey or from Indios verdes to Ciudad Universitaria in 50 minutes.
How much would cost?
Cabrera mentioned that initial track to insurgentes would cost 250 million dollars. Adding to this the 248 miles thought to create and connect all the roads between capital city and estado de Mexico (Edomex).
However, is expected that the elevated bike way provides more benefits. For example, is considered to equip it with solar panels to make it self-sustainable. This will allow to sell electric energy to private individuals, Mexico City’s government or metrobus.
Between the green benefits exist the rainwater collector with planters, reducing the CO₂ emissions.
Is also estimated that their construction will generate over 10 thousand direct and indirect jobs for their creation and maintenance. In addition, would generate a constant economic revenue for CDMX and Edomex.
About safety, the help of the C-4 would be provided to maintain a supervised and monitored bike route. In this way, users would be so much safer.
How much is going to cost the elevated bike way?
The optimal purpose would be the free usage for all cyclists, but director mentions that private investment would allow to offer the service to 3 pesos per user with an unlimited mileage.
At the same time is contemplated to install the rental service of electric bikes. The e-bikes would cost 10 pesos.
But it is possible or it’s just a pipe dream?
As we mentioned before, China already has this kind of project. Argentina too, having theirs in Cordoba, and isn’t insane to think Mexico can have its own; over all, if we think that the capital country is contributing to sustainable mobility.
Even, the change of president in the country might be an opportunity. After all, the future and chosen head of state, Clara Brugada, said that 186 miles of bike ways will be created in the capital city, as more stations of the EcoBici system.
