The surge in motorcycle use and delivery services in Mexico City has led to a significant rise in road accidents, resulting in more deaths and injuries among motorcyclists.
On December 4, 26-year-old Daniel Tadeo Martínez was killed while delivering a package on his motorcycle. A 19-year-old driver, traveling in the opposite direction, collided with him at high speed, causing him to be ejected and trapped between two cars. He died instantly.
Rapid Increase in Motorcycles
In the last decade, the number of motorcycles in Mexico City increased by 684.4%, from 91,324 in 2013 to 716,400 in 2023, according to INEGI data. Motorcycles have become a more affordable mobility option and a job opportunity through digital platforms, especially for food delivery.
Along with the motorcycle boom, there has been an increase in deaths and injuries among motorcyclists due to road accidents. Experts describe this trend as an “epidemic” caused by factors such as lack of experience, recklessness, excessive speed, and the characteristics of the motorcycles.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated motorcycle use. In 2020, there were 497,481 registered motorcycles in the capital, and 218,919 more were added in the following three years, a 44% increase.
Work Opportunities
Motorcycles have become a source of work thanks to applications like Uber Eats and Didi Food, says Stephan Brodziak, coordinator of the Vehicle Safety Campaign at El Poder del Consumidor. The ease of buying, driving, and registering motorcycles on virtual platforms has led to an unprecedented increase in their presence in Mexico City.
According to the consulting firm Urban Science for Latin America, 80% of motorcycles sold in Mexico are for delivery. However, cheaper work motorcycles often lack safety features like effective brakes, says Brodziak. People with lower incomes tend to buy these less safe motorcycles.
Market Dominance
Italika dominates 70% of the local market. Mexico is now the eighth-largest country in the world for motorcycle purchases, ranking first in Latin America, ahead of Brazil.
Source: Expansion
