Photo Focus: Memories of Guadalajara

There’s an exciting mix of old and new on the streets of Guadalajara.
– More photos below –
(Photos © J. Maus)


For this week’s Photo Focus (a semi-regular column where I share images from the BikePortland Photo Archives) I’ll share memories from my trip to Guadalajara, Mexico back in February 2009.

I’ve been thinking of Guadalajara recently for several reasons; their DIY bike activism has been getting a lot of attention of late; local activist and business owner Ryan Hashagan recently passed through and sent back several dispatches; and Guadalajara has been selected as this year’s host for the World Carfree Conference (of which I was invited to, but have yet to confirm plans!).

I have very fond memories of Guadalajara. I could sense the pent up energy for a transportation revolution and I’m not surprised at their recent momentum. See a selection of photos from my trip below…

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Many of my images were from the Via Recreativa, an event similar to our Sunday Parkways, where the streets are opened up to people by prohibiting the use of motor vehicles.

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Delivery vehicle.

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Me on a rental bike.

Hope you enjoyed the photos. See more from the Photo Focus series here (if you would like to sponsor this column, please contact us).

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.

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Perry Hunter
Perry Hunter
13 years ago

Mmmm…birria from the street vendors. Good and sporting.

Thomas
Thomas
13 years ago

Hello from GDL! We now have the Via Recreativa on holidays too. Today was the first one. (It is constitution day in Mexico) so the streets were closed yesterday (Sunday and today Monday!)

dmc
dmc
13 years ago

The flower bike is so beautiful.

Ted Buehler
Ted Buehler
13 years ago

Wow, love the content, love the photo-series presentation.

Ted Buehler

Esther
Esther
13 years ago

Thanks for the cool picture show! What is that crazy bike you’re riding, Jonathan?

Thom
Thom
13 years ago

Very cool pictures. I love the total lack of “proper” cycling attire.

deborah
deborah
13 years ago

wow do i love that cargo bike loaded up with tulips!

Pedalworks
13 years ago

Sweet timing! We just got got back last night to Portland from our Epic Transit trip of the Americas. Of all the the great biking cultures from Bellingham to Chile, Guadalajara and Portland are the most vibrant and creative!

Other cities are implementing great ideas and infrastructure, but the great thing about Guadalajara is that the efforts have all been instigated by local citizens and activists, and the municipal government has rapidly responded by institutionalizing bike fun!

We should be so proud to have Guadalajara as our Sister City and we have tons to learn from them and their energetic activists!