Mexico City smog reached a peak in 1985. Energetic action by the local government has steadily improved the air quality since then. (There was a devastating ear

Mexico City smog reached a peak in 1985. Energetic action by the local government has steadily improved the air quality since then. (There was a devastating earthquake in '85 that drove a citizen cooperative activist movement in the recovery and brought in a whole new political structure.) Today you can see the mountains ringing the city from the center even right after rush hour most days. It's still soupier than I'd prefer but it's like L.A., not like China or India. Bicycling has been rapidly increasing in recent years. I recommend riding in Mexico City if you're a strong cyclist. The traffic and pollution are not bad if you stay off the busiest through streets and the pleasure of taking in a prosperous and creative city of twenty-something million at ground level is a special treat.