Bicycles in Mexico City
One of the first places I always go whenever I visit Mexico City is the Alameda, a large park full of benches, trees, and street vendors. At one end of the Alameda is the Palacio Belles Artes, a giant museum and auditorium whose architectural virtues I have yet to come to terms with, but it´s a nice spot to people-watch. Imagine my joy at seeing the whole place clothed in a numberless swath of bicycle cut-outs, each one different from the next.
I watched the locals react to this sculpture and I am pleased to say that everyone seemed quite taken by it. Countless people had their photos taken by the cutouts, and many walked among them, remarking on the different styles of bikes (some real, others imaginary, like the one above).
A few blocks away, this fellow was doing a good business with the tourists and locals both, as a postman on a bike. He would ride it for awhile, then hand out air-mail letters to the kids.
Here he is really earning his fee. The kids just loved this guy.
The lesson? Intelligent people love bicycles the world over.
–Erik Ryberg
December 25th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I could look at these pictures all day. Thanks for the reportage, Erik. Now go get that ice bike!