Cuauhtemoc: Mexico City’s Top Bike-Friendly Municipality

Cuauhtemoc has emerged as the most bike-friendly municipality in Mexico City, according to a new report by the real estate portal Lamudi. The report evaluates public and private infrastructure, as well as terrain elevation, to determine the best areas for cycling. The findings reveal that Cuauhtemoc features 129 km of bike lanes, among other key infrastructure features.

Lamundi’s study indicates a growing trend in real estate toward neighborhoods that offer sustainable and eco-friendly mobility services. Cuauhtemoc, Benito Juarez, and Miguel Hidalgo top the list, showing the highest indicators for bike-friendly infrastructure. In contrast, half of the analyzed municipalities score negatively.

Lamudi's index considers several criteria for determining a borough's bike-friendliness. The ranking emphasizes the importance of bike lanes and public stations. Secondary factors include the number of repair shops and bike parking spaces, where Cuauhtemoc excels. Benito Juárez, however, leads in the number of repair shops. The ranking also evaluates terrain elevation, with flatter areas being more comfortable for cycling. Iztacalco, with an elevation range of just 24 meters, ranks as the flattest municipality.

Cuauhtemoc scores highest with a 0.93 rate on the index. The municipality boasts 129km of bike lanes, 243 public bike stations, 27 repair shops, and 77 parking spaces. Additionally, its streets have a low elevation gain of 102m, making cycling easier. Benito Juarez follows with a score of 0.77, having less infrastructure and a lower elevation. Miguel Hidalgo with 0.41, Coyoacan with 0.19, and Azcapotzalco with 0.10 complete the top five. Only three other municipalities achieved a positive score, although their infrastructure mainly includes limited parking spaces and repair shops, with no shared bike stations.

The report also highlights the cost of living in these bike-friendly areas. Average rents are MX$28,860 (US$1,570) in Cuauhtemoc, MXN 22,386 in Benito Juarez, MX$29,832 in Miguel Hidalgo, MX$17,791 in Coyoacan, and MX$12,571 in Azcapotzalco.

Bicycles are increasingly seen as vital to urban development. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) notes that urban cycling promotes sustainable lifestyles, reduces the carbon footprint of transportation, calms city traffic, and lowers pollution and noise levels.

There is a strong correlation between property prices and bicycle infrastructure. According to Mexico City’s Ministry of Environment (SEDEMA), 70% of trips in the city are made by public transport, with most people using multiple modes of transportation. With appropriate infrastructure, bicycles could replace other modes for many trips.

Public and private investment in safe cycling facilities is crucial to encourage more people to adopt cycling as their primary mode of transportation, however. Studies by the IDB suggest that living in areas that promote cycling can significantly improve quality of life.