Move on Bikes Program: A Community-Based Physical Activity Strategy in Mexico City

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Urban Planning
• Sports Science

Background:

• Open streets programs temporarily close roads for recreational activities like walking, running, and cycling.
• The Move on Bikes (MEB) program in Mexico City spans 55 km in affluent areas, with limited prior evaluation data.
• Understanding MEB's impact on participation and physical activity is crucial for urban health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate participation numbers in the MEB program.
• To assess physical activity levels of MEB participants.
• To analyze factors associated with frequent program attendance.

Main Methods:

• Surveyed 679 MEB participants (October 2017-July 2018) on sociodemographic, physical, and program characteristics.
• Utilized video analysis to estimate average activity speeds.
• Estimated participant numbers per event using program data and surveys.

Main Results:

• An average of 21,812 individuals participated on typical MEB days.
• Participants accumulated an average of 221 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) weekly.
• Frequent attendees included men, older adults (41-64), highly active individuals, and those arriving alone or via active transport.

Conclusions:

• The MEB program effectively increases weekly MVPA by an average of 71 minutes for over 20,000 participants.
• MEB contributes significantly to public health goals by promoting physical activity in urban settings.
• Targeted strategies could further enhance program reach and sustained engagement.