A year after crisis slammed the brakes, Biciruta rides again

Biciruta returned on what turned out to be a beautiful Sunday morning in Mérida.

Thousands pedaled up and down the Paseo de Montejo a year after the traditional weekly community bike ride was called off over coronavirus concerns and budget shortfalls.

Participants appeared eager to return despite a mandate to wear facemasks, a rule enforced by numerous monitors up and down the thoroughfare.

Under another health precaution, the Biciruta was officially open only to those under 60, although it was unclear if anyone had been carded.

Mérida’s Biciruta began in 2006 as a measure to encourage healthy habits. Numerous streets are blocked off from vehicular traffic on Sunday mornings to make way for people on two or three wheels and the occasional rollerblader.

Over the years, the Biciruta has also been active on select Saturday evenings, as well as in other parts of the city such as Fracc. Las Américas. 

Shutdowns as a precaution against coronavirus began in March 2020 when just 15 people were known to be infected in Yucatán. That number has since surpassed 34,000.