“One day, a few months after I started driving, my car was hit by another. I never returned to driving ever since. The greatest advances of urbanization in my city have been designed for cars, not for people. I love my city, but I hate the cars and its drivers!
During the first half of the twentieth century, cars were a way to show modernity and progress. Entire generations grew up with the idea that there is no other way to move in this city but by cars. Today we have a huge pollution problem and people are still clinging to use a car per person every day. That's unsustainable.
After my car accident, I moved to a neighborhood in the downtown area and switched to bicycling. Today there are more bicycle paths and we can make it safer, but 8 years ago, it was a very risky decision. I encourage people to bicycle as a cry of rebellion to retake control of the street, above the cars. I think Mexicans can be supportive, tolerant and respectful, but these virtues are lost when people get behind a steering wheel.
But there is a good side to this growth. When I was a teenager, I moved from my parents' house, in the north, to the south of the city and it was a 2-hour trip. Today it takes less than an hour thanks to the freeway. With all its shortcomings, I must say I love this city and its people – when they aren’t driving cars.”