Cycling route Loreto-Nopoló-Loreto

Seven kilometers of coastline separate two of the population hubs for the Loreto Municipality, Loreto downtown and Nopoló. Currently, the Nopoló area is employing more than 342 persons from Loreto in 47 businesses that give service to Nopoló residents. As of January 2017, the gasoline of Loreto is the most expensive in the entire republic of Mexico. These circumstances have prompted more Loretanos to use alternative modes of transportation such as carpooling and bicycles. In a recent bicycle rally for high school students of Loreto, children and their parents mentioned the need to have more established bicycle routes. Nopoló residents would also prefer to do their daily visits to Loreto by bicycle. 

Currently, three areas have connecting roads for cycling:

• the area known as the proposed Nopoló Park within the lands owned by FONATUR

• the area adjacent to the airport

• La Salinity beach.

However, obstacles such as invasive plant species, trash, and sand dune habitat prevent there being continuous route from Loreto to Nopoló. With the help of local lovers of cycling such as Manny Davis and Janet Gretchal, the Keep Loreto Magical program is embarking on connecting the 7 kilometres of existing bike roads between Loreto and Nopoló by coordinating with FONATUR, airport security and land owners.

Loreto residents have done three beach clean-ups along the proposed bikeway not only to clear a travel path but also raise awareness about the dangers of plastic and other trash as obstacles and pollutants. We are happy that the cleared areas remain clean, a true achievement of our community. We now have to address a final barrier: invasive buffel grass choking 800 metres of the cycling route.

We have already organized seven trips to give cyclists practice in navigating the route safely. We have the support of airport security, transit police and the National Commission for Protected Areas, which wants to raise awareness of the importance of the seven estuaries along the cycling route. Trips are organized with the support of two vehicles, usually driven by volunteers with radios, water and police support. Eventually we hope this will not be needed and the route can be used by commuters and for greater recreational connectivity between downtown Loreto and Nopoló.