Within the state of Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende is located in Mexico’s rugged central highlands. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2008, it is known for its cultural and architectural preservation. While walking has always been one of the most common mobility choices in the city, the city seeks to make it safer and more pleasant to walk and cycle. After the implementation of pedestrian zone policy in some streets, walking in the city center is more convenient than ever. One of the focuses of the city is to decrease car dependency for intercity travel, while giving priority to cyclists and pedestrians and secondly to public transportation.
As part of the creation of a mobility plan for the city, hundreds of residents participated in the first local community engagement process, setting a precedent not only for San Miguel but for the whole state of Guanajuato. Residents expressed their opinions to help guide public policies that would improve mobility conditions in their neighborhood. A total of 20 topics related to urban mobility were discussed, including new schedules for public transportation. Some of the critical targets in the new mobility plan include:
- Minimizing motorized traffic flow in the historical center via the construction of park and ride facilities integrated with public transport;
- Replacing the bus fleet with newer, less polluting units, and for some routes with smaller vehicles, while extending night service;
- Promoting cycling by developing more cycling lanes and establishing a public bike rental;
- Constructing a peripheral ring to prevent heavy vehicles from traveling through neighborhoods.
- Ensuring safe transit of pedestrians in sidewalk and walkways.
