PERSPECTIVES Lessons from Ecobici for the Implementation of Public Bicycle Systems in Mexico Martha Delgado Peralta F ebruary 2017 n Mobility in Mexico City is the most important urban and environmental challenge today. Traffic congestion and poor air quality are symptoms of an ineffectively planned city with an inefficient public transport system. The solution requires a comprehensive visualization of a coherent public policy package and coordination between local and federal authorities. n In order to tackle this problem, indispensable solutions such as extending the subway system, known as the Metro, and the construction of Bus Transit Rapid( BTR ) lines or new train systems have been contemplated. However, the transformation of urban mobility also requires rethinking public space in order to make it more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly. n The transformation of the Mexico City transport model—which serves a large number of users, and suffers not only from poor planning, but is also lacking economic resources, has low fares and engages in practices of clientelism—will necessarily be a long-term process. n The creation of Ecobici (Eco-bike) is one of the pieces in the puzzle of transforming urban mobility in the city and represented significant technical, implementation, political and cultural challenges. The system was conceived as a complement to public transport that would provide a practical solution. Today, Ecobici, after going through a complex planning and management process, has been embraced as a successful mobility alternative. Martha Delgado Peralta Director of the PENSAR Foundation’s Global Cities Covenant on Climate Secretariat. Former Mexico City Secretary of the Environment. A