Mexico City

Many people opt to walk in Mexico City, even as infrastructure for pedestrians lags behind leading regional peers. Despite concerted efforts, the city’s cycling infrastructure remains subpar, in part reflecting the challenge of constructing infrastructure in a sprawling city. Still, the authorities have been closing major streets on most Sundays in the city center since 2007 to temporarily foster active mobility. In 2024, Mexico City published plans to make the main square, the Zocalo, a car-free zone with vegetation, lights, and street furniture. Cycling infrastructure improvements are ongoing, with over 200 kilometers (124 miles) of bike lanes constructed between 2019 and 2022.

The city’s public transit system has a high utilization rate even though residents often have to travel long distances to get to the nearest stop. Transit commute speeds are slower than in other cities, frequently impeded by high congestion and poor traffic management. Some investments are helping reduce commute times, like the 2021 introduction of urban cable cars, which have a daily ridership of more than 100,000. Line 1, which connects two northern neighborhoods to the Indios Verdes metro stop, has reportedly reduced transit time by up to 45%.