Thursday, September 11, 2025

Fuel shortage has police swapping their cars for bicycles and horses

Police forces in states facing fuel shortages are exchanging their patrol cars for bicycles and in, at least one case, horses.

Some officers in Nezahualcóyotl, México state, have abandoned their vehicles and taken to patrolling on bicycles as municipal authorities ration fuel and prioritize its use in response to shortages.

Some vehicles will remain on patrol but 250 officers on the force will perform their duties on two wheels.

Police chief Jorge Amador Amador said those assigned to the bike patrol are physically prepared for their new wheels.

Half of the 40 gas stations in Nezahualcóyotl, a municipality with more than two million inhabitants, have closed due to the fuel shortage, and what fuel is available for official use will be used carefully.

The chief  told the newspaper El Universal that the local government is in contact with gas station operators to ensure that fuel is to be used exclusively for security, rescue and citizen protection operations, as well as garbage pickup.

Police in Yuriria, Guanajuato, on bicycles, on horses, on foot.
Police in Yuriria, Guanajuato, on bicycles, on horses, on foot.

“. . . Ambulances, the fire department and police patrol cars will have priority use of what little fuel is available,” said Amador.

A police vehicle uses 45 liters of gasoline every day, while a motorcycle needs 10, but the vehicles will be rationed half that.

“This program is preventative; we’ve reduced the use of patrol cars, not completely, we just reduced it to make [gasoline] last as long as possible,” explained Amador.

In Yuriria, Guanajuato, 16 horses and 10 bicycles have been pressed into service, and some officers are patrolling on foot.

In Michoacán, which has been paralyzed by gasoline shortages for 17 days, one-half of all state police vehicles are idle due to the lack of fuel, the state security chief said this morning.

Source: El Universal (sp), AM (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
gas tanker after explosion

Horrific gas tanker explosion in Mexico City claims 8 lives, injures 90

2
The accident occurred on a busy highway in the Iztapalapa borough of Mexico City when a gas tanker crashed and exploded, sending out huge flames that engulfed dozens of vehicles.
Navy sailors stand guard next to packages of cocaine, displayed between two navy ships

Navy seizes 1,600 kilos of cocaine off the coast of Guerrero

4
More than 48 metric tons of cocaine have now been confiscated since President Sheinbaum took office last October, authorities say.
Steering wheel of a BYD brand chinese electric car

Facing US pressure, Mexico to raise tariffs on Chinese cars to 50%

6
Mexico will increase the tariff on Chinese cars to the maximum level permitted by the World Trade Organization, Economy Minister Ebrard said Wednesday.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity