Until the early twentieth century, city space favored pedestrian paths and public meeting places. Subsequently, generalized use of private vehicles disrupted this social and environmental setting. The resulting costs to the economy and in quality of life are alarming: time and fuel wasted in traffic jams, accidents and health problems associated with poor air quality and the proliferation of sedentary lifestyles.

At present, not only do Mexico’s largest cities suffer from traffic and mobility problems, but our medium-sized cities increasingly face chaotic traffic and mobility situations. Less than 15 years ago, in medium-sized cities such as León, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro or Xalapa, traveling from one end of the city to the other took 10-15 minutes. That time span has doubled in many cases and more than doubled during peak hours.

Future prospects are not optimistic. If current patterns continue, it is estimated that the number of vehicles on our streets will double in 10 years. Without a doubt, high-quality public transportation and friendly mobility are fundamental urban elements that we must address now in order to prepare for our future.

Transport and Accidents, Let’s Change this Reality

In Mexico, 20,000 people die annually in traffic accidents. This is approximately equivalent to four times the number of individuals who died at the hands of organized crime in Mexico in 2008, which was a particularly violent year in our country. The statistics show that the most vulnerable populations – children, the elderly, pedestrians, the differently abled, cyclists and public transport users – are the main accident victims. In fact, traffic accidents are the primary cause of death for both children and people of productive age in Mexico. This is a reality we have to change.

Transport and Health, A Dual Priority for the Public Agenda

Obesity is one of the foremost public health issues facing our country. At present, Mexico is the second most obese nation worldwide following the USA. Our mobility patterns contribute to this tendency, as the probability of suffering from obesity increases by 6 percent for every hour that a person remains seated in a vehicle. The combined problem of obesity and lack of physical activity is accompanied by numerous, serious consequences for the individual and society at large, requiring enormous public expenditures.

Transport and Pollution: Aggravating Climate Change

In addition to the health problems brought about by a sedentary lifestyle, the pollution from which we suffer in cities also gives rise to profound negative effects on our well-being, causing over 4,000 deaths a year in Mexico. In terms of GHG emissions, the projections are stark: nationally, emissions from Mexico’s transport sector will increase from 170 million tons of CO2 equivalent to more than 440 tons by 2030 if current mobility and urban development patterns continue. These tendencies reflect international trends in carbon emissions, contributing to climate change at a rate that humans have been unable to stop and from which the world has already begun to suffer tremendously.

Transport and the Social Structure: A Subtle but Real Relationship
A much more subtle effect of intense street use by private automobiles is the weakening social fabric of our communities. Heavily-trafficked streets disrupt social relationships, which hinders the development of friendships among neighbors.

The Angel of Independence: Guarding the Avenue for Cars or People?
For each baby born in Mexico City, two new cars are introduced to the city streets, representing 200,000 new cars annually. This motorization rate indicates that Mexico City’s streets are increasingly occupied by cars instead of people. The list of negative economic, social and environmental consequences is long.
The millions of citizens that commute for more than two hours a day typically live five years less than their counterparts.