Cyclists Defend Controversial Bike Lane Planters on the Paseo

Cyclists rallied at the Monument to the Homeland Saturday to oppose a proposal that would remove protective planters from bike lanes along Paseo de Montejo, saying the barriers are essential for preventing traffic deaths.

Everardo Flores Gómez, president of Colectivo Cicloturixes, told the crowd that removing the planters would violate Mexico’s Constitution and the General Law on Mobility and Road Safety. The law requires authorities to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety over vehicle traffic.

“These islands or planters are not obstacles,” Flores Gómez said. “They are mandatory safety devices to prevent injuries and deaths.”

The protest comes as tension builds over the future of cycling infrastructure in Yucatán’s capital. Business owners and hoteliers along Paseo de Montejo have pushed for the planters’ removal, arguing they interfere with tour buses and reduce street parking. Some have filed legal complaints against the bike lane installations.

But Mérida cyclists say the barriers serve a critical function. Research shows protected bike lanes reduce traffic deaths and injuries for all road users, not just cyclists, by slowing vehicle speeds and creating physical separation between bikes and cars.

The cycling group sent a letter to Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena on Oct. 27 requesting a meeting to discuss their concerns. So far, they haven’t been invited to talks between state officials and business leaders.

“We respectfully ask that all physical work involving the removal or modification of protective islands, planters, bollards, speed reducers, signage or trees on Paseo de Montejo be suspended,” the group said in a statement. They want an independent technical evaluation before any changes are made.

The cyclists also called for a multi-agency technical meeting that includes citizen groups, academics and government institutions like the Mérida City Council, the Institute of Urban Development, and state transportation and cultural heritage agencies.

‘Classist and discriminatory’

Speakers at the protest criticized city councilwoman Gabriela Santinelli Recio for suggesting bike lanes should only exist in southern Mérida, where more residents use bicycles for daily transportation. Activists called the comment classist and discriminatory.

The debate touches on deeper class divisions in the city. Many of Mérida’s working poor depend on bicycles to reach their jobs. With a daily minimum wage of 141.70 pesos (about $7.50), even bus fare strains household budgets.

Flores Gómez pointed out that bike lanes have already been removed in other parts of the city, including around Plaza Harbor and along Avenida Canek. He said Paseo de Montejo should prioritize cyclist safety rather than high-speed traffic, especially since it’s a major tourist corridor.

“Contrary to what many say, this is where the most cyclists travel,” he said.

The cycling coalition is preparing legal action if removal work begins. As part of the Safe Mobility Coalition, the group plans to file an amparo — a constitutional protection order — to defend the planters in court.

Yucatán has the highest percentage of bicycle ownership in Mexico, with about 40% of homes owning at least one bike, according to national census data. The state invested 111 million pesos ($6.1 million) to build more than 130 kilometers (81 miles) of connected bike lanes between 2020 and 2021, accelerating the project during the pandemic as officials promoted cycling as a safe transportation option.

But the infrastructure has faced resistance from the start. Business groups complained the lanes created traffic bottlenecks and eliminated parking spaces. Some hotel owners filed injunctions when planters were installed in front of their properties.

The cyclists maintain that protecting lives should take priority over convenience. They’re vowing to defend the planters through protests and legal channels.

“For these and many other reasons, we do not agree and will defend the planters’ permanence,” Flores Gómez said.

If You Bike

• Sunday bike rides: Join the Bici Ruta every Sunday morning from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. when one side of Paseo de Montejo closes to cars.
• Organized rides: Colectivo Cicloturixes meets Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m., usually starting from Santa Ana Park. Check their Facebook page for weekly routes.
• Bike rentals: EnBici app offers bike-share stations throughout the city, including along Paseo de Montejo.
• Safety tips: Use bike lanes when available, wear reflective gear at night, and avoid using phones or headphones while riding.