Unmasked! The Mexico City superhero wrestling for pedestrians' rights

Clogged with traffic, crippled by poor infrastructure - the capital is notoriously hard to navigate on foot. Enter Peatonito, the activist fighting for safer streets

The traffic light turns red at the corner of Avenida Juirez and Eje Central, the busiest pedestrian crossing in Mexico City, used by around 9,000 people every hour. Tonight, a driver stops his grey Peugeot exactly on the crossing where the masses are trying to pass. His car is now a steel barrier for those trying to reach the Palacio de Bellas Artes. A masked man dressed in black makes his way through the river of people, walking purposefully towards the Peugeot. His black and white striped cape, reminiscent of a zebra crossing, flaps behind him. He goes to the car, flings his cape over his shoulder, and pushes the Peugeot backwards to make space.

"My name is Peatonito, and I fight for the rights of pedestrians," he says, introducing himself. The driver smiles and reverses willingly and eventually the pair shake hands. With the pedestrian crossing again flowing as it should, Peatonito heads back to the pavement where he will wait until he is needed again. The traffic light turns green.