The Regression of Bikepaths in Coyoacan, Mexico City
A failure of the Mexican Government and Society
The bikepaths of Coyoacan, a project put in motion in 2011 in the historical center of Coyoacan, is a complete four million MXN failure. A Google search of “ciclovia ayuntamiento coyoacan” will show you the lack of respect for cyclists. This failure has been attributed to lack of knowledge or respect of drivers in Coyoacan.
Nowadays, painting is barely visible, even for cyclists or pedestrians; even worse, the police doesn't do anything at all to enforce the bare basic rules of the road. The SSPDF is unable to sanction any drivers, that task is solely on the hands of few Transit Officers that drive in white patrols with a T designation and wear a white uniform. The conflict of the right of bicycles to be safe on the street and the privilege of personal vehicles.
It is the opinion of many in the area that the bikepath shouldn't exist, since there is a lot of traffic in the area. This is counter intuitive since bikepaths are in place to favor more efficient, green and cheaper transit alternatives than private cars.
Respect isn't enforced, and it should be. Rodadas should take place to assert the presence of the bikepath and the Coyoacan Government, the Distrito Federal Government, and SEDEMA should be held accountable for their lack of action on the matter.