Merida became into an example of cyclist city, since it was named one of the zones where bike is used the most.
According with the ranking of Ciclociudades in 2021, its infrastructure in this topic has grown, and now they are taking a chance for the increase with the future construction of an integral cycle path network that will benefit all their citizens.
After the first National Bicycle Forum in Mérida (Foro Nacional de la Bicicleta), performed from June 20th to 23rd of this year, it was anticipated that city will become a power in bicycle use.
This after the announcement of a very ambitious project to connect all the city through an integral cycle path network.
What is the purpose of the integral bike path network?
The Cicloturixes group proposed the creation of this network. The aim is creating a bikeway that works as a dorsal spine of an interconnected system.
Everardo Flores Gómez, director of this proposal, mentions that the ideal place for that is Itzaes Av. This location and dimensions are suitable to connect north and south of the city.
The purpose of this avenue is to become into a cycle path that connect with secondary routes. Moreover, is considered to construct a bikeway in both sides of the avenue, going from Umán to Progreso highway.
In order to create this integral bike path network, the program must extend to other places of this capital, allowing cyclists to commute to different points of Merida safely and quickly. For that, is necessary to create different bike routes that connect with the main avenue of Itzaes.
Integrated Modality and Mobility
Likewise, is thought to connect all the capital through bike lanes, and include programs that allow their use.
For example, the project will look the integration with the existent bike plan of the Institute of Mobility and Territorial Urban Development (IMDUT). In this way, it wouldn’t be started from nothing.
Is also considered the expansion of the already created ones to zones as Kanasín, Umán and coastal zone easing the intraurban displacement by bike.
And that isn’t everything, as bikeway should do, this will be interconnected with other means of transport. That’s why is thought to implement bike parking in strategical points of the city.
Of course, the creation of an integral bikeway network involves the necessary tools for their implementation. Including correct signage, from physical barriers as confibicis to special indications for cyclists.
An integral bikeway network with technology
Of course, the implementation of physical devices also provides technological devices for the network to function.
That’s why, the creation of an app that show users traffic state in real time, as available routes, service stations and bike parking location.
Something similar to the EcoBici program in Mexico City.
In reference to this, Merida has the En Bici system, with 600 bikes available for users. Distributed in a total of 88 stations that benefit to over 90 thousand users.
Mérida, cyclist city
Nowadays, Mérida has a cyclist infrastructure of approximately 144 miles. Bikeways allow a great mobility among their stations and urban areas that share with municipalities of Conkal, Umán and Kanasín.
This represents a great advance considering that in 2020 the capital used to have 68 miles of bike routes. In other words, doubled the quantity in four years.
Placing Merida as the best cycle-city of Mexico in 2021, having this place instead other power nations in this matter, as CDMX, Guadalajara and León.
In this regard, the chosen mayor, Cecilia Patrón Laviada committed to improve road culture and sustainable transport during her term. She affirmed to motivate the use of bike and public transport in all the municipality and metropolitan area.
“Considering the guidelines that we will keep following in the next municipal administration, the road safety will be essential focusing on pedestrian, cyclist and public transport users for everyone to get safe to their destinations”, she pointed out.
