Security in Mexico City

Exercising Safely in Mexico City

Many foreign residents and temporary visitors lose a precious opportunity to enjoy the beautiful parks and recreational areas of Mexico City. In such a large place as the capital, there are large groups of men and women - Mexican and foreign - who love to run, jog, ride bicycles and enjoy outdoor activities. Those of us who live in this huge place have two choices: exercise in a gym or be a bit more adventurous and enjoy the many parks and outdoor areas, always keeping in mind common-sense security measures.

Where to Jog

If you are staying in the areas near the U.S. or Japanese Embassies, or in the Polanco hotel strip of Campos Elíseos, you are lucky. The national park, Chapultepec, is a very short distance away, or just across Reforma street. Ask at your hotel reception desk the best route to enter the park, which has many access points. Make sure you cross Reforma only at the traffic lights and only after all cars have come to a complete stop (Mexican motorists are notorious for jumping redlights). Try starting your run at the Chapultepec Castle. Take the old circuit and pass behind the Mexican White House, Los Pinos, for a total distance of about 5 miles. Alternatively, you could begin a run along Reforma heading towards downtown, then enter the park at the lake. Once you enter the park, you won't find any cars, except those of employees and vendors.

Starting in the Roma neighborhood, a nice run is to beautiful, charismatic and safe Condesa. Many people run along pleasant Amsterdam Boulevard. Others head to Parque Mexico or Parque España. Even from Polanco, the Condesa would be a great destination.

Think Preventive Security

Think ahead. Leave your expensive watch and attractive jewelrey at home, and instead wear your regular workout clothing. Keep common sense in mind to lower the risk of being mugged. Come out with a sense of self-confidence; Mexico City has much to offer and many beautiful neighborhoods.

MCHHH

The "International Drinking Club with a Running Problem," a.k.a Mexico City Hash House Harriers, is a British invention. Most of its members run on a daily basis individually; however, once a month they get together to socialize and drink beer. Check out their website at www.mchhh.com for more information. MCHHH has a long history in Mexico City, having been in existence for over 20 years. Many members, both Mexican and expat, are diplomatic employees or executives in the corporate world. Other members are police officers, and there are also active and retired military staff in the group.

Crossing Streets

When jogging and crossing streets, be VERY careful. Unfortunately many motorists do not always come to a complete stop despite there being a red light. Cops may try to help you cross a street, but it is best not to make your move until you are sure it is ok to do so. Once you get the hang of it, you may come to find that crossing the street is really not as dangerous as falling off your tread mill!

Riding a Bicycle

Riding a bicycle is more daring. Of course, never leave your helmet behind or your doctor’s emergency number. Riding a bike on the street would be a risky endeavor, because Mexican motorists drive more by intuition than by traffic laws. Good advice would be to stick to low-traffic, residential streets or to the many parks throughout the city. Additonally, a large section of Reforma and Avenida Juarez are closed to car traffic the first three Sundays of the month until 2 p.m. This is a great opportunity to enjoy one of the most scenic routes in the city, as it passes through the Zocalo and completes the circuit on Reforma near Chapultepec Park.

Since bicycles are becoming so popular these days, the city authorities have begun the construction of an ambitious project, the Ciclovia. It will be a bicycle route that will go around Mexico City, starting in the Polanco area. For more information, visit their website at http://www.fimevic.df.gob.mx/ciclovia/ciclovia.htm.

By Mario Gonzalez-Roman, a retired Foreign Service National Security Advisor to the United States Embassy, currently a private Security Consultant, columnist at www.securitycornermexico.com