Fans of cycling are applauding the launch on Feb. 15 of a program to promote bicycle use in one area of the Mexican capital, but they are asking the city government for more support for this transportation alternative. “It's a step in the right direction, but there should be an integrated strategy so that there is an institutionalized program,” Areli Carreón told Tierramérica. She is president of the board of the non-governmental organization Bicitekas, dedicated to promoting cycling.

The left-leaning Mexico City government will launch the EcoBici program, with its 84 bike stations and 1,114 bicycles, through which people can rent them for a half-hour, any day of the year, for 23 dollars annually.

In the metropolitan area, home to 20 million people, 22 million commutes occur each day, of which just one percent are on bicycle.