I love Mexico City! I visited for a week last year and stayed in Condesa. I haven't been there with a bike yet. I'm glad you're commuting by bike in Mexico City - I would definitely do the same if I lived there (I commute by bike daily in Chicago).
I commuted from the Roma to CU last year (5000km all year) and rode in every Delegación. México is a delightful place to ride. If you're not doing it yet, you're missing out. Thanks for the video, but videoing on the bike is dangerous, no?
@owenthurman You didnt feel like it was dangerous to bike in Mexico City? how cool though! and CU is nice to bike iim sure, im moving to mexico city from chicago. should i buy a bike and take it to mexico?
@salvadorbarrios Yes, it felt dangerous - more dangerous than anywhere in the USA because it was relatively so uncommon back then. Today, with DF's "Sunday Streets" people are getting out on bikes and cars are more used to cyclists so it's becoming safer. You should absolutely take your bike to DF! You will see parts of the city and experience it in a way that even most Mexican can't... Enjoy, good luck and safe cycling!
@salvadorbarrios it felt dangerous, but worth it. i felt free on the bike and wasn't stuck in traffic. it was definitely tough but they have many more bike lanes now and making it safer for pedestrians as well. i would definitely either bring or buy a bike for transit in DF
I just got back and found enjoyed riding there for a week. You would be pushing you luck to ride there all the time. Eventually you would get plowed into the pavement.
man cool video, im from mexico city... and now i live in sweden. Here in north of europe is super commmon to bike. Your video just proved how mexico city is far away from the biking culture as i believe all north america is...
dude i lived in the US for six years and now im back in mexico. what did u do in toree mayor?
i love your video and your spanish sounds really funny too (in a good way). u sound like some white guy taking a spanish class in HS. but the way u express yourself shows me that u dont really understand mexico.
Dude! you were my neighbor! I lived in Conde pretty much my hole life con mi papa y mama and I am sure I could see your house through my window! I bet you love la San Miguel as I do. Now I live in Canada (frio!)I love you video and I have to thank you for taking back to my home.
Thanks for the comment! I loved living in mexico and have been back in the USA now for two years. I do miss it and get sentimental from time to time! Many thanks for writing! Brian
@bkemler Hi! I'm moving from Chicago to Mexico City, I was wondering if you could tell me the pro's and cons and your experience living in Mexico City. I'm 18 and going to study in el Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes!
Oi. Se mira muy suave! Que haces en Mexico City. Estoy pensando de "relocate" myself "ahi". What do you think of living there and let's say... for example. Los Angeles. How is the lifestyle there?
Gracias! I worked in technology and since relocated to San Francisco. I enjoyed living there but it is a place that supports mostly a car-based lifestyle. Access to outdoors and active sports is limited. Culturally, it's pretty incredible!
oh cool im thinking about putting up an internet cafe in mexico city i also have family but they say a bike is better than having a car because all the traffic..how do you like el d.f. ??
Bike is much better but it is not necesasrily easy. I enjoyed living there, though at times I was overwhelmed by the traffic! If you're in the central city, it's easy to get any where bike bike quickly! Best of luck!
thanks for the tip..hehe i love mexico city people say "your american why would you want to live there" and i say "you just don't know" i love the culture and it's not as stressful as here in the U.S.
Colonias Roma, Condesa are lovely and charming. It's hard to find nicer places in north america. The people of Mexico City are amazing. They are what make the experience there worthwhile.
hey im planning to move to mexico in the next 3 months i was wondering where do you recommend me to go i have family in mexico city but i would appreciate suggestions thanks!!
I rode my bike for nearly two and one half years in Mexico City without incident.
I am not sure how being Canadian entitles you to comment on my or any one else's sanity, but the true insanity is a) the local 2-hour each way commutes and b) expats who replicate their car based lifestyles in Mexico City when they could live in Polanco or La Condesa and easily take more sane methods of transit to and from work.
Nice video! I use to ride my bike very offen from Polanco to Condesa and then till zocalo. Weekends I ride at Chiluca or Desierto de Los leones very nice mountain routes outside of the city.
Fun stuff! Desierto was my favorite ride. We would ride on the highway from the City to get there. It was a total trip. Up into the pines, fresh air, a delicious respite from the traffic and pollution of the center city! Thanks for commenting! Warm regards, Brian
Very nice videos. Good idea to ride your bike to your work if you live in a central district. But I live 1 and a half hour from downtown so I need to use the car to go to central districts in Mexico City.
The longer the harder, but I can empathize with not wanting to brave all of DF's traffic. Do you live near the bike path? Maybe you can find a route on the weekend? Good luck! Thanks for commenting. Brian
Thanks for commenting! I love Julietta Venegas! Also, Belanova and I do know Natalia whom I also highly regard. I am most open to other new suggestions! Warm regards, Brian
Nice and funny video man! I'm from Mexico City and I've just uploaded a video about riding bycicle in the street. Hope you enjoy it comment it. Chido.
Glad you liked the video and thanks so much for commenting. I appreciate it always :-)
Biking is the only sane way to go in El Taco Grande. I saw more of DF than most of my Mexican friends - and I saw it all on the bike. It opened up a world I otherwise would not have seen. Warmly, Brian
Thank you for this video , I was borned and lived there till age 15 when I had to go for family reasons , I live in Miami now but I miss Mexico city very much :( thank you for giving me a trip to the past and showing me the city that I love very much.
That's great... I spent two years there working in Torre Mayor as a consultant. I just moved back to the states. It was an incredible experience. Glad you liked the video and thanks for posting!
Yes, I am a little crazy :-) The Lopez Obredor comment was a joke ;-) My landlords LOVED him and posted his signs outside their house. Thanks for posting!!!
I am thinking about buying a ninja (sport) MotorCycle. Do you think that is a good idea since i am planing on moveing to mexico city? Our would it be the same as any other car on the street. I think it would be good since the motorcycle is like $3,000 USD and economical.
I don't think it's a good idea unless you have a death-wish. My two Mexican friends just got back from Thailand and they said the driving is better *there*. There is no way to describe the sheer chaos of driving, riding or walking in this city. Even after two years, I am not accustomed to it and have had more near-misses in two years here than in the rest of my life. My advice is to spend the money on rent and live close-in.
I liked the video, interesting idea. I was born there and miss that crazy city since 9 years ago when moved to Chicago. Yes, with the bike you can move sometimes faster because of the traffic jams. Hoaw about showing some of the national parks like Ajusco or Desierto de los Leones? By the way, "vamonos" is a cliche and you use it incorrectly as well as "andale." I know you don't master the language yet, but speaking properly won't make you another "gringo loco." Good luck.
To clarify, gas may be expensive by US standards but not by European ones. In Europe you will find people living and shopping and working nearby. They take fewer trips and when they do, there is a robust network of bike lanes and public transit. Driving and gas are costly, but it's still easy to get around. What are you doing in Sweden?
Thank you! Glad you liked it. It took me a while just to get used to riding in Mexico City, but it's not as bad as it looks! I wish more people would ride then cars would be more used to bikes!!! You will see a few other riders in the video, which is great!
Mexico City isn't that much cheaper than a US city if you want to live in one of the nicer, more centrally located areas. I would count on spending 70-90% (though possibly more) of what you would spend on rent in the usa or canada. you can check craigslist. it's entirely possibly to get a room in la condesa for $500usd/month in a share situation.
Basically, just don't stand out or act dumb like I did the night I got attacked. Most of the time it feels safe. I think the key to living anywhere is just being aware - not paranoid - just not off in thoughts. I would avoid this area at night by yourself and instead take a taxi. Good luck!
Good question. It's NUTS. My office is on La Reforma, which is one big, 5-mile long tent from Periferico to the Zocalo. It's filled with protesters from the PRD as well as other aligned parties. Traffic here is normally a disaster, so you can only imagine when they close down the equivalent of 5th Avenue, how bad it is. The people in the office are really upset, their commutes are not upwards of 2 hours each way. I'd be upset too if I weren't riding my bike ;-)
It's still crazy now if you can believe that. Stay tuned for what happens on Independence Day. Sept.15th. The PRD blocked the President's State of the Union Speach and this is a bad portent...
Glad you like el DF and the music. The artist is Julieta Venegas and the song is from her most recent album, "Limon y Sal". She has 3 or 4 albums and I really dig her too. She's Mexican and if you like her you might also want to check out "Belanova".
Im moveing over there because i was born in mexico and was forced to move when i was 4 to the US. Now that im old enough i can move back. Did you get that bike in Mexico? If so how much was it? Looks awsome.
Brought the bike from the USA - bought it on the internet. Now it's my commuter rig. It shouldn't be too hard to find a nice bike, but if you can bring one from the states you will be able to get one that is better and cheaper. If not, I can direct you to the street that has 40 bike shops! ;-)
Great video. Im also moveing to Mexico City, from what you showed on our video its very nice looking place. I am guessing that rideing a bike is the fastest way to get around.
Gas is expensive because they have to export the oil to refineries in the USA and then reimport it because they have no oil processing capability of their own. It was an issue in the campaign. What brings you here?
This is a great video. Im also moveing to Mexico City in 2007 or 8, Most likely 2008. I see that its very intresting over there. Looks nice. I am guessing the fastest way to get anywere is by bike. Or do you just ride the bike because you live close to were you work? Or Do you have a car and just like rideing the bike, maybe because gas prices are too high?
No, I don't have a car and I've only driven one here a handful of times in two years. Biking is absolutely the fastest way to get around and there are more cyclists than you might think. Everything is harder to do on a bike here than in bike friendly cities like new york, san fran or dc, but it is doable and the great thing is the weather almost always obliges. When do you move and will you take your bike? Saludos and thanks for writing.
so how come you moved to mexico city? I am interested because I plan on moving there in the future as well.
Cricketbrothas23 2 weeks ago
@Cricketbrothas23 I moved to DF for work but also because i wanted to live in Latin America, learn Spanish and experience life outside the USA.
bkemler 2 weeks ago
I love Mexico City! I visited for a week last year and stayed in Condesa. I haven't been there with a bike yet. I'm glad you're commuting by bike in Mexico City - I would definitely do the same if I lived there (I commute by bike daily in Chicago).
vedranre 2 months ago in playlist Bike Commuters
very good video really enjoyed the nice commentary the whole way it would have been a boring video without it
kikovezindad 2 months ago
I also commute to work in mexico city, and always wish for heavy traffic too!
seamonster82 2 months ago
I commuted from the Roma to CU last year (5000km all year) and rode in every Delegación. México is a delightful place to ride. If you're not doing it yet, you're missing out. Thanks for the video, but videoing on the bike is dangerous, no?
Buses run "contraflojo?" Que bonito el albur.
owenthurman 1 year ago
@owenthurman You didnt feel like it was dangerous to bike in Mexico City? how cool though! and CU is nice to bike iim sure, im moving to mexico city from chicago. should i buy a bike and take it to mexico?
salvadorbarrios 8 months ago
@salvadorbarrios Yes, it felt dangerous - more dangerous than anywhere in the USA because it was relatively so uncommon back then. Today, with DF's "Sunday Streets" people are getting out on bikes and cars are more used to cyclists so it's becoming safer. You should absolutely take your bike to DF! You will see parts of the city and experience it in a way that even most Mexican can't... Enjoy, good luck and safe cycling!
bkemler 7 months ago
@salvadorbarrios it felt dangerous, but worth it. i felt free on the bike and wasn't stuck in traffic. it was definitely tough but they have many more bike lanes now and making it safer for pedestrians as well. i would definitely either bring or buy a bike for transit in DF
bkemler 2 weeks ago
Dude you rock I enjoyed your video, good commentery!
antonio7566 1 year ago 2
What is that song? Artist
acousticblues123 1 year ago
@acousticblues123 the first track was Julieta Venegas "Eres para mi" and the rest is from Belanova...
antharamors 2 months ago
I just got back and found enjoyed riding there for a week. You would be pushing you luck to ride there all the time. Eventually you would get plowed into the pavement.
Hetzel56 2 years ago
Are you American ???
MexicannMusic 2 years ago
man cool video, im from mexico city... and now i live in sweden. Here in north of europe is super commmon to bike. Your video just proved how mexico city is far away from the biking culture as i believe all north america is...
dfchino1 2 years ago
dude i lived in the US for six years and now im back in mexico. what did u do in toree mayor?
i love your video and your spanish sounds really funny too (in a good way). u sound like some white guy taking a spanish class in HS. but the way u express yourself shows me that u dont really understand mexico.
ivanlunaelizarraras 3 years ago
Dude! you were my neighbor! I lived in Conde pretty much my hole life con mi papa y mama and I am sure I could see your house through my window! I bet you love la San Miguel as I do. Now I live in Canada (frio!)I love you video and I have to thank you for taking back to my home.
Ivejudh 3 years ago
Thanks for the comment! I loved living in mexico and have been back in the USA now for two years. I do miss it and get sentimental from time to time! Many thanks for writing! Brian
bkemler 3 years ago
what did u like about it?
ivanlunaelizarraras 3 years ago
@bkemler Hi! I'm moving from Chicago to Mexico City, I was wondering if you could tell me the pro's and cons and your experience living in Mexico City. I'm 18 and going to study in el Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes!
salvadorbarrios 8 months ago
Oi. Se mira muy suave! Que haces en Mexico City. Estoy pensando de "relocate" myself "ahi". What do you think of living there and let's say... for example. Los Angeles. How is the lifestyle there?
TheKnightof86 3 years ago 2
Gracias! I worked in technology and since relocated to San Francisco. I enjoyed living there but it is a place that supports mostly a car-based lifestyle. Access to outdoors and active sports is limited. Culturally, it's pretty incredible!
bkemler 3 years ago
oh cool im thinking about putting up an internet cafe in mexico city i also have family but they say a bike is better than having a car because all the traffic..how do you like el d.f. ??
chutubeme 3 years ago
Bike is much better but it is not necesasrily easy. I enjoyed living there, though at times I was overwhelmed by the traffic! If you're in the central city, it's easy to get any where bike bike quickly! Best of luck!
bkemler 3 years ago
thanks for the tip..hehe i love mexico city people say "your american why would you want to live there" and i say "you just don't know" i love the culture and it's not as stressful as here in the U.S.
chutubeme 3 years ago
Colonias Roma, Condesa are lovely and charming. It's hard to find nicer places in north america. The people of Mexico City are amazing. They are what make the experience there worthwhile.
bkemler 3 years ago
hey im planning to move to mexico in the next 3 months i was wondering where do you recommend me to go i have family in mexico city but i would appreciate suggestions thanks!!
chutubeme 3 years ago
Check out the condesa, the museum of anthropology and the zocalo... xochimilco!
bkemler 3 years ago
Thanks for posting. The poster was my landlord's, not mine and my comment was meant to be sarcastic! Muchas gracias para poner sus comentos!
bkemler 3 years ago
Tight video. I commute in Massachusetts 32 miles round trip.
corvo9980 3 years ago
Thanks - I am from Massachusetts originally... Happy biking!
bkemler 3 years ago
The song is Eres Para Mi by Julieta Venegas. Thanks for watching!
bkemler 4 years ago
Thanks for the unsolicited safety tips.
I rode my bike for nearly two and one half years in Mexico City without incident.
I am not sure how being Canadian entitles you to comment on my or any one else's sanity, but the true insanity is a) the local 2-hour each way commutes and b) expats who replicate their car based lifestyles in Mexico City when they could live in Polanco or La Condesa and easily take more sane methods of transit to and from work.
bkemler 4 years ago
Nice video! I use to ride my bike very offen from Polanco to Condesa and then till zocalo. Weekends I ride at Chiluca or Desierto de Los leones very nice mountain routes outside of the city.
gabdeutsch 4 years ago
Fun stuff! Desierto was my favorite ride. We would ride on the highway from the City to get there. It was a total trip. Up into the pines, fresh air, a delicious respite from the traffic and pollution of the center city! Thanks for commenting! Warm regards, Brian
bkemler 4 years ago
Very nice videos. Good idea to ride your bike to your work if you live in a central district. But I live 1 and a half hour from downtown so I need to use the car to go to central districts in Mexico City.
royu222 4 years ago
The longer the harder, but I can empathize with not wanting to brave all of DF's traffic. Do you live near the bike path? Maybe you can find a route on the weekend? Good luck! Thanks for commenting. Brian
bkemler 4 years ago
Nice video, and julieta is great.
Have you listen natalia lafourcade? she's awesome too.
whamii 4 years ago
Thanks for commenting! I love Julietta Venegas! Also, Belanova and I do know Natalia whom I also highly regard. I am most open to other new suggestions! Warm regards, Brian
bkemler 4 years ago
Man, u are brave, nice job with the video
coreHC 4 years ago
Thanks, glad you liked the vid and appreciate the comment. Best regards, Brian
bkemler 4 years ago
Nice and funny video man! I'm from Mexico City and I've just uploaded a video about riding bycicle in the street. Hope you enjoy it comment it. Chido.
andestepu 4 years ago
Glad you liked the video and thanks so much for commenting. I appreciate it always :-)
Biking is the only sane way to go in El Taco Grande. I saw more of DF than most of my Mexican friends - and I saw it all on the bike. It opened up a world I otherwise would not have seen. Warmly, Brian
bkemler 4 years ago
bikething[DOT]org
Check it out, enjoy. Great vid.
BeeRich33 4 years ago
Thank you for this video , I was borned and lived there till age 15 when I had to go for family reasons , I live in Miami now but I miss Mexico city very much :( thank you for giving me a trip to the past and showing me the city that I love very much.
Enjoy your stay in mexico city !
venom400 4 years ago
I miss those bustling, crazy streets, the people, the freedom,well actually i don't miss those damn trips on the metro and peseros during rush hour.
XxLRxX 5 years ago
Wow!! super video
we need more1..
wordan 5 years ago
Thank you! I am heading back to Mexico City with my video camera this weekend. I now live in San Francisco. Glad you enjoyed. Best regards, Brian
bkemler 5 years ago
Nice Video! I spent 3 months in Mexico City this summer and it reminded me of the city. Do you work at the Torre Mayor? What is your job/career?
HenryGarcia7714 5 years ago
That's great... I spent two years there working in Torre Mayor as a consultant. I just moved back to the states. It was an incredible experience. Glad you liked the video and thanks for posting!
bkemler 5 years ago
Yes, I am a little crazy :-) The Lopez Obredor comment was a joke ;-) My landlords LOVED him and posted his signs outside their house. Thanks for posting!!!
bkemler 5 years ago
The ideal would have been to use a helmet cam- but i just rode one-handedly to record the video.
bkemler 5 years ago
I am thinking about buying a ninja (sport) MotorCycle. Do you think that is a good idea since i am planing on moveing to mexico city? Our would it be the same as any other car on the street. I think it would be good since the motorcycle is like $3,000 USD and economical.
helio2 5 years ago
I don't think it's a good idea unless you have a death-wish. My two Mexican friends just got back from Thailand and they said the driving is better *there*. There is no way to describe the sheer chaos of driving, riding or walking in this city. Even after two years, I am not accustomed to it and have had more near-misses in two years here than in the rest of my life. My advice is to spend the money on rent and live close-in.
bkemler 5 years ago
Cool, Thanks! Cant wait to see your upcoming video in SF
helio2 5 years ago
I liked the video, interesting idea. I was born there and miss that crazy city since 9 years ago when moved to Chicago. Yes, with the bike you can move sometimes faster because of the traffic jams. Hoaw about showing some of the national parks like Ajusco or Desierto de los Leones? By the way, "vamonos" is a cliche and you use it incorrectly as well as "andale." I know you don't master the language yet, but speaking properly won't make you another "gringo loco." Good luck.
Grzesmo1 5 years ago
To clarify, gas may be expensive by US standards but not by European ones. In Europe you will find people living and shopping and working nearby. They take fewer trips and when they do, there is a robust network of bike lanes and public transit. Driving and gas are costly, but it's still easy to get around. What are you doing in Sweden?
bkemler 5 years ago
Cool video! It's funny how you are talking so calm when serious danger is all around.
mutrid 5 years ago
Thank you! Glad you liked it. It took me a while just to get used to riding in Mexico City, but it's not as bad as it looks! I wish more people would ride then cars would be more used to bikes!!! You will see a few other riders in the video, which is great!
bkemler 5 years ago
Have you learned Spanish yet?
Schmidhofer 5 years ago
Yes, I have, though it's not perfect.
bkemler 5 years ago
By the way, is it true that stuff is cheaper in Mexico? Since people get payed less.
helio2 5 years ago
Mexico City isn't that much cheaper than a US city if you want to live in one of the nicer, more centrally located areas. I would count on spending 70-90% (though possibly more) of what you would spend on rent in the usa or canada. you can check craigslist. it's entirely possibly to get a room in la condesa for $500usd/month in a share situation.
bkemler 5 years ago
How much is the rent on a house like yours? Looks cool
helio2 5 years ago
Julieta Venegas - "Limon y Sal" Glad you liked the video and glad you enjoyed your time here! That's nice!
bkemler 5 years ago
Julieta Venegas - "Eres Para Mi"
bkemler 5 years ago
Do you consider Chapultepec/reforma area to be pretty safe? have you had any bad experiences, like for example getting mugged?
ginamari1979 5 years ago
Reasonable safe. I usually don't take my ATM or credit cards when walk around. I had one little incident:
http://musingsfrommexico.blogspot.com/2005_03_01_musingsfrommexico_archive.html
Basically, just don't stand out or act dumb like I did the night I got attacked. Most of the time it feels safe. I think the key to living anywhere is just being aware - not paranoid - just not off in thoughts. I would avoid this area at night by yourself and instead take a taxi. Good luck!
bkemler 5 years ago
Thank you so much. How is everything with all the protests in the reforma?
ginamari1979 5 years ago
Good question. It's NUTS. My office is on La Reforma, which is one big, 5-mile long tent from Periferico to the Zocalo. It's filled with protesters from the PRD as well as other aligned parties. Traffic here is normally a disaster, so you can only imagine when they close down the equivalent of 5th Avenue, how bad it is. The people in the office are really upset, their commutes are not upwards of 2 hours each way. I'd be upset too if I weren't riding my bike ;-)
bkemler 5 years ago
It's still crazy now if you can believe that. Stay tuned for what happens on Independence Day. Sept.15th. The PRD blocked the President's State of the Union Speach and this is a bad portent...
bkemler 5 years ago
Glad you like el DF and the music. The artist is Julieta Venegas and the song is from her most recent album, "Limon y Sal". She has 3 or 4 albums and I really dig her too. She's Mexican and if you like her you might also want to check out "Belanova".
bkemler 5 years ago
Im moveing over there because i was born in mexico and was forced to move when i was 4 to the US. Now that im old enough i can move back. Did you get that bike in Mexico? If so how much was it? Looks awsome.
helio2 5 years ago
Brought the bike from the USA - bought it on the internet. Now it's my commuter rig. It shouldn't be too hard to find a nice bike, but if you can bring one from the states you will be able to get one that is better and cheaper. If not, I can direct you to the street that has 40 bike shops! ;-)
bkemler 5 years ago
Great video. Im also moveing to Mexico City, from what you showed on our video its very nice looking place. I am guessing that rideing a bike is the fastest way to get around.
helio2 5 years ago
Gas is expensive because they have to export the oil to refineries in the USA and then reimport it because they have no oil processing capability of their own. It was an issue in the campaign. What brings you here?
bkemler 5 years ago
This is a great video. Im also moveing to Mexico City in 2007 or 8, Most likely 2008. I see that its very intresting over there. Looks nice. I am guessing the fastest way to get anywere is by bike. Or do you just ride the bike because you live close to were you work? Or Do you have a car and just like rideing the bike, maybe because gas prices are too high?
helio2 5 years ago
No, I don't have a car and I've only driven one here a handful of times in two years. Biking is absolutely the fastest way to get around and there are more cyclists than you might think. Everything is harder to do on a bike here than in bike friendly cities like new york, san fran or dc, but it is doable and the great thing is the weather almost always obliges. When do you move and will you take your bike? Saludos and thanks for writing.
bkemler 5 years ago