Following successful cycle hire schemes in cities all over the world, Mexico City launched Eco-Bici. As the third most populated city on the planet, where 80% of all journeys are made on public transport, Mexico City is the ideal venue for a cycle hire scheme. Prior to the launch of Eco-Bici, cycle hire was available on a much smaller scale from independent traders.
Eco-Bici’s 86 docking modules are located around 300 metres apart.
The docking modules house 1,114 bicycles in total.
The scheme has launched successfully, partly due to the fact that its annual membership of $25 makes it the cheapest form of transport in the city.
Bikes are collected for repairs when necessary, and redistributed around the city’s bicycle modules to ensure an even supply.
To further encourage cyclists, the main avenue in Mexico City closes to cars every Sunday.
Up to 80,000 cyclists enjoy this car-free experience.
Despite the launch of the cycle-hire scheme, there are very few cycle lanes on the roads.
A lack of cycle lanes means cyclists share space with other automobiles. Whilst this increases risk, it has not been enough to put people off using Eco-Bici. The scheme has been so successful in its initial launch area that it is soon being expanded to Mexico City’s downtown.
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