The 7th UN Global Road Safety Week held on 15-21 May 2023. It called for policy makers to #RethinkMobility in order to make walking, cycling, and public transport safe and convenient so that people can make the shift to active, sustainable mobility. This modal shift is one of the recommendations in the Global Plan for the Decade of Action 2021-2030.
We would love to share your photos and video clips for the UN Global Road Safety Week #RethinkMobility campaign or tell us about your campaign:
| Argentina | Asociación Madres del Dolor advocated for improved and inclusive road safety infrastructure that ensures the safety of vulnerable road users like cyclists. They engaged with the mayor of the Municipality of Pilar, province of Buenos Aires (Mr. Federico Achaval), to improve the infrastructure of a 3.8 km road which connects one of the major highways to a residential neighborhood. They also collaborated with another civil society organization (Asociación Luchemos Por la Vida) to engage with the mayor of Municipality of San Isidro (Dr. Gustavo Posse) to include cycle lanes and implement 30 km/h speed limits. On 15 May 2023, MiNU Asociación Civil continued their advocacy for improved infrastructure for pedestrian facilities. As part of the #RethinkMobility campaign, they organized a Show and Tell activity with the new Secretary of Territorial Development and Mobility (Javier Arca) and the Mayor of Tres de Febrero (Diego Valenzuela) which held in Ciudadela in Tres de Febrero, where they discussed the importance of pedestrian infrastructure in rethinking how we move. They also sought the commitment of these decision makers on safe and sustainable mobility in Tres de Febrero. |
| Bangladesh | BRAC organized a roundtable event between road safety NGOs, government policymakers and the private sector to discuss and develop key action points for effective promotion and enforcement of safe helmet standards in Bangladesh. They sought endorsements from key government decision makers on enforcement of safe helmet use. They also put up an exhibition of safe standard helmets and distributed the same to selected motorcycle riders from motorcycle rider associations. The outcome of their engagements will be published as an op-ed which will also include recommendations for awareness creation and effective enforcement of safe helmet standards in Bangladesh. Eakok pushed for commitments on 30 km/h speed limits and the creation of cycling lanes in Dhaka City. They engaged with the Mayor of Dhaka City and other decision makers like the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority and the Department of Roads and Highways in the presence of community leaders and the media. They called for commitments on 30 km/h speed limits, creation of cycle lanes in the city, and car-free days on certain streets to raise awareness on safe mobility. |
| Benin, Republic of | ALINAGNON organized three major activities to advocate for 30 km/h speed limits to protect pedestrians and vulnerable road users and increase walking and cycling. They organized a media event with road safety authorities, a one-day sensitization on 30 km/h speed limit and its importance in promoting walking and cycling, and an advocacy plea to the Mayor of Cotonou to make a commitment by issuing a municipal decree for speed limit reduction to 30 km/h on paved streets. |
| Botswana | Society of Road Safety Ambassadors advocated for road safety improvement in school areas and implementation of 30 km/h around school zones with a target of achieving a minimum of iRAP 3-star rating for schools in Botswana. They organized public media events to obtain commitments on 30 km/h enforcement and improvement of school zones from key decision makers including Hon. Eric Molale (Minister of Transport and Public Works), Mr. Bokhutlo Modukanelo (Director, Ministry of Public Works, Department of Road Transport and Safety), Mr. Katlholo Mosimanegape (Director, Botswana Police Service Traffic Division) and the Mayor of Gaborone City. The event was covered by major media houses including Botswana Television, Radio Botswana, Daily News and MVA Fund Magazine. |
| Brazil | Fundação Thiago de Moraes Gonzaga raised awareness on the dangers faced by vulnerable road users, especially cyclists, and the need to implement and enforce regulations to protect them on the road. They met with road traffic authorities and key decision makers in Porto Alegre, including the Secretary of Urban Mobility (Adão Castro Júnior), President of the Public Transport and Circulation Company (Paulo Ramires), and presidents of municipal and metropolitan associations of passenger carriers to obtain their commitments to ensure safety of vulnerable road users. |
| Cameroon | CADVA advocated for lower speeds and 30 km/h speed limit implementation and enforcement around residential areas and school zones to improve the safety of vulnerable road users. They organized car-free days where sections of the street were closed to motorized traffic. They also met with key decision makers in the city of Limbe, including the Mayor of Limbe City Council, in the presence of local media to push on their advocacy objectives and obtain commitments for their implementation. |
| Colombia | La Liga engaged decision makers such as Daniel Carvalho (Chamber Representative), Ayda Lucy Ospina (Superintendent of Ports and Transportation), Lina Huari (ANSV Technical Director of Behavior) and William Camargo (New Minister of Transport) to commit to lower speeds in school zones and modal shift to walking, cycling and public transport. They also pushed the decision makers to make their commitments public using #RethinkMobility placards to keep holding them accountable. |
| Côte d’Ivoire | OJISER continued their advocacy for 30 km/h speed limit law, implementation and enforcement around school zones and markets. As part of their activities, they organized a private roundtable with key decision makers including the Minister of Transport (Amadou Kone), the Minister of National Education (Marietou Kone), the Minister of Road Infrastructure (Amede Kouakou) and the Minister of Health (Pierre N’gou Demba) and sought commitments on their advocacy asks. |
| El Salvador | OHANA advocated for modal shift to public transport, in addition to subsidizing it for vulnerable groups including women. They organized a “Show and Tell” meeting with key decision makers and relevant stakeholders such as the Vice Ministry of Transport, Vice Ministry of Health and Civil Protection, private companies, UN Women, UNDP, and local media to push on their advocacy objectives and obtain commitments for their implementation. |
| Eswatini | Road Accident Action Group advocated for improved safety for pedestrians in Eswatini by asking the government for better pedestrian infrastructure including pedestrian footpaths of adequate width and free from obstructions and vehicular parking that restrict pedestrians use. They organized a car-free day where portions of the streets were closed to motorized traffic, in addition to a 5 km walk and a public media event with a key decision maker, Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, the Minister of Public Works and Transport and sought commitments on their advocacy for better pedestrian facilities. |
| Ethiopia | Save the Nation’s activities for the week focused on advocacy for enforcing 30 km/h speed limits and installation of traffic calming measures in school zones, markets and religious centers in Addis Ababa to make these areas safer for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. They engaged in public media events targeted at key decision makers in the Addis Ababa Traffic Management Agency and Road Safety Insurance and Fund Service to obtain commitments on these advocacy areas. |
| Greece | RSI “Panos Mylonas” held activities that informed the Greek authorities and the larger society about the necessity of road safety and the benefits of sustainable mobility. They held a “Walk the Talk” campaign and meetings with decisionmakers, members of parliament and other road safety stakeholders including civil society and the private sector where they promoted issues of road safety for all, including pedestrians and cyclists. |
| India | Avoid Accident engaged with the lead road safety agency and key decision makers for a state-level campaign for pedestrian safety in Punjab. During the campaign, they advocated for safer pedestrian crossings, enforcement of lower speeds, and observance of pedestrian crossing by drivers. They also organized cycle rallies to promote cycling. The major decision makers engaged were the Director General of the road safety lead agency, the Chief Engineer of Municipalities, the Transport Minister, the Mayor of Mohali, and the Traffic Police Chief. Muskaan Foundation advocated for the safety of students by demanding safe walking spaces and stringent enforcement around schools adjacent to highways. They hosted a private meeting with the Director General of Police, the highest authority of enforcement in Rajasthan, and heads of educational institutions where they demanded for commitments for engineering interventions aimed at setting up traffic calming measures around school zones and issuing enforcement protocols to guide their implementation. People’s Trust Jaipur advocated for safer roads for pedestrians and vulnerable road users. They called for the design and installation of raised crossing points for pedestrians between intersections which will give pedestrian’s legal right of way around IIS University in Jaipur. They organized a safety walk audit survey, the results of which were shared with relevant authorities including the State Road Safety Cell and the Government of Rajasthan for necessary action at a round table meeting with media coverage on 16 May 2023 in collaboration with IIS University Jaipur. SAFE India advocated for 25 km/h speed limits around school zones in line with the guidelines of India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. They held a series of events on 16 May 2023 starting from an advocacy rally involving stakeholders and the police department at a major traffic post. This was followed by a public meeting with various decision makers and other stakeholders including civil society organizations, academia, road safety volunteers and the media. At this event, they handed over a petition to the Commissioner of Police and authorities from the Transport Department to obtain their commitment to implement 25 km/h speed limits around school zones. The Ability People engaged with local authorities and decision makers, civil society, communities, and the media to advocate for modal shift to public transport. They organized a public media event involving three key stakeholders – City Mayor of Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation, Vice Chairman of the District Road Safety Council of Visakhapatnam, and Police Commissioner of Visakhapatnam – to push for commitment on their advocacy ask. UWM sought necessary permission from the Mumbai Traffic Police and the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to conduct their planned activities including awareness campaigns at three blackspots. They worked with community volunteers and local traffic control officials on 15 and 16 May 2023. They also met with the Joint Commissioner of Police and the Traffic and Chief Engineer of MCGM on 17 and 18 May 2023 to discuss the way forward in implementing the recommendations of a lower speed limits study in Mumbai. |
| Indonesia | RSA Indonesia focused on advocacy for 30 km/h speed limit implementation, traffic calming in school zones, and use of quality helmets by motorcycle riders. They engaged with decision makers on these three advocacy areas to demand for their implementation and enforcement. They also organized a five-day campaign for speed reduction in school zones in addition to installing 30 km/h speed limit signs in residential areas, together with other relevant stakeholders. |
| Malaysia | Safe Kids Malaysia held a joint media session with policymakers and stakeholders to promote public transport and improvement in pedestrian facilities surrounding public transport hubs. They advocated for raised pedestrian crossings around these areas which also functions as a traffic calming measure to reduce vehicle speed and improve pedestrian safety. They also advocated for government subsidies for public transport modes to increase usage and engaged with officials of the Ministry of Transport, Land Public Transport Authority (APAD), and PRASARANA to obtain commitments on their ask. |
| Mexico | Mexico Previene partnered with Biciverde Cyclist Collective, Estrategia Misión Cero and Coalición Movilidad Segura México to advocate for safer pedestrian facilities such as signalized crossings in school zones for school children to walk and cycle safely. They engaged with authorities of mobility of Mexico State, including the secretary of mobility to demand for their commitment in ensuring safe mobility for school children, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. VIVIAC A.C. pushed for commitments from decision makers to halve road traffic deaths and injuries in line with the Global Plan. They prepared a call to action in this regard and coordinated public events to advocate for and promote modal shift in 16 States across Mexico. They got pledges on their commitment asks from national authorities who held #RethinkMobility and #RoadPeace signs. They also issued national and local press releases calling for #RethinkMobility and #RoadPeace in addition to the labeling of 18 May as a Mexican Action Day for Road Safety. |
| Moldova, Republic of | The Automobile Club of Moldova focused their week’s activity in Singerei where they launched a transformed pedestrian crossing at the D. Cantemir Lyceum. They also organized a road safety action/flashmob (involving children and LPA of Singerei) to advocate for a 30 km/h speed limit. They met with decision makers at the National Road Safety Council, the MIA and the PM Office, in addition to holding a road safety training of trainers program with INSP (Police) for students of the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Chisinau. |
| Namibia | The Namibia Road Safety Forum advocated for modal shift to cycling and for sustainable road infrastructure policies in Namibia. They partnered with the Namibian Cycling Federation (NCF) and other key Road Safety stakeholders of Namibia, under the slogan of #RethinkMobility to launch the UN World Bicycle Day on 17 May 2023. The launch was done by the Road Safety Champion of Namibia, the Hon. Minister of Works and Transport. On 3 June 2023, they will Celebrate the Bicycle by means of a bicycle festival at which the National Road Safety Patron, the Deputy Prime Minister will commit to the establishment of a National Policy for walking and cycling. |
| Nepal | NASA Nepal is organized various programmes and campaigns to advocate for modal shift to walking, cycling and public transport. On 18 May 2023, they held a workshop on pedestrian safety and public transportation in Pokhara and had Dr. Tulsiram Bhattarai, Secretary of the Ministry of Transport in Gandaki Province in attendance. On 20 May 2023, they held two other events – a cycle rally promotion from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel with member of parliament, Hon. Yogesh Bhattarai and 100 people in attendance; and a workshop on cycling and pedestrian safety at Dhulikhel Municipality which had the mayor, Mr. Ashok Kumar Byanju and 100 people in attendance. |
| Niger | ONG Fondei Ma Bori continued their advocacy for improving pedestrian facilities in high traffic volume areas and school zones. They engaged with the Mayor of Commune 5 Niamey and the communal councilors to commit to improving pedestrian facilities especially in school zones. They also rehabilitated some degraded crosswalks in school zones and markets and mobilized the media, including the national television, to amplify their message to decision makers at the national level. |
| Nigeria | GreenLight Initiative undertook advocacy and media campaigns in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city for the implementation and enforcement of 30 km/hr speed limits in high-risk areas. The organization went on advocacy visits and round table engagements with the Ministry of Transport, Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration between 18 and 21 May 2023. They utilized the Alliance Accountability Toolkit to generate and present evidence to the government on 30 km/hr speed limit and also broadcast two radio episodes on 30 km/hr and speed reduction between 16 and 21 May 2023. KRSD prioritized pedestrian safety as their core advocacy ask. On 15 May, they paid advocacy visits to key decision makers including the General Manager of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board, the Commissioner for the Ministry of Transportation and Works, members of parliament and the Federal Road Safety Commission. This was followed by a radio talk show to sensitize the public on rethinking mobility while encouraging them on the benefits of walking and cycling. |
| Pakistan | Road Safety Council of Pakistan continued their advocacy for lower speeds and 30 km/h speed limit implementation and enforcement around school zones and high traffic volume areas. As part of their activities, they organized a series of events including public media engagements, and meetings with key decision makers such as the Chief Secretary and Superintendent of Police in Islamabad and sought commitments in implementing their advocacy asks. They also staged road safety advocacy walks and cycling events to advocate for cycling facilities. |
| Peru | Orienting organized parades, cycling activities, and talk shows with the national police and advocated for modal shift to walking and cycling as well as improvement in pedestrian infrastructure. To gain strong commitment in these advocacy areas, they enagaged decision makers and relevant stakeholders such as the Sub-Prefect of the city, representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the National Directorate of Road Safety, the mayor of the city, National Directorate for Traffic Prevention of the National Police, and the Association of Cyclists. |
| República Dominicana | Fundación Red de la Dignidad focused their week’s activity on advocating for 30 km/h speed limit in residential areas and 20 km/h speed limit in school zones and hospitals. Using the Alliance Accountability Toolkit, they generated a government to do list with which they used to seek commitments on these advocacy areas. They also engaged the media for talks and press releases in the cities of Santo Domingo and San Cristóbal and engaged with the Directors of Road Safety in the cities to commit to promoting modal shift to walking, cycling and public transport. |
| Rwanda | Healthy People Rwanda engaged with decision makers and the media through a workshop that sensitized them on the need for safer roads for pedestrians and vulnerable road users. The media was sensitized on their roles in aiding advocacy and supporting civil society to push for safer roads and holding decision makers accountable. They targeted decision makers like the Police Spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera, and the Director General of Rwanda Transport Development Agency, Munyampenda Imena, and influential journalists and newspaper editors from popular media houses. |
| Senegal | LASER International partnered with the National Road Safety Agency of Senegal, the Executive Council of Urban Transport of Derklé municipality, the Ministry of Education, Ageroute, Total Energies, and other civil society organizations for an awareness walk for safer walking and cycling. They launched a campaign for 30 km/h speed limits with the Minister of Infrastructure and mayors of Derklé municipality and other partner municipalities which was marked by a symbolic installation of 30 km/h speed limit signs for schools in the BRT corridor. |
| South Africa | South Africans Against Drunk Driving (SADD) continued their advocacy on 30 km/h speed limit implementation and improved infrastructure for pedestrians and vulnerable road users. In addition to handing out visi-belts at 3 different venues where children, pedestrians and cyclists navigate in the dark to go to work and school, they organized town hall meetings with key stakeholders and decision makers. They also visited Oaklands High School, Landsdown, Cape Town and evaluated the environment/road where two children and the school’s headmaster were killed recently. The evaluation report and recommendations was shared with CoCT engineers. |
| Tajikistan | Public Organization Young Generation of Tajikistan mobilized young people to join in raising awareness and advocacy for a shift towards active mobility in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Their advocacy asks included installation of pedestrian and cycling facilities around school zones and parks to encourage modal shift and ensure pedestrian and cyclists’ safety, comfort and accessibility. They are targeted key decision makers including the Manager of the Public Relations and Advocacy Department of the National Traffic Police, Saidov Mirzo, and representatives from Dushanbe Mayor’s Office, Traffic Police, Ministries of Transport, Health, and Education, Youth Affairs Committee, and the National Technical University of Tajikistan to commit to their advocacy asks. |
| Tanzania | Helmet Vaccine Initiative focused their advocacy for the week on 30 km/h speed limit implementation and safer pedestrian facilities. These key areas are relevant to Tanzania’s three-year National Road Safety Plan (2023-2026) which is currently under development. Their advocacy will help in ensuring the adoption of these strategies in the national plan. They also engaged with key decision makers, including a Senior Assistant of Police, Head of Traffic Department and a Ward Executive Secretary to address black spots in school zones to make them safer. |
| Tunisia | Les Ambasasdeurs de la sécurité routière advocated for 30 km/h speed limit implementation that goes hand-in-hand with traffic calming measures and improved infrastructure for pedestrian facilities. They sought commitments on these advocacy asks through a private roundtable with key decision makers including the Minister of Infrastructure and the Director of the Traffic Police. |
| Uganda | HOVITA advocated for 30 km/h speed limits and safer school zones. As part of their advocacy, they organized a public media event that had key decision makers from Transport Regulation and Safety, Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Education, Kampala Capital City Authority, UNRA and CSOS in attendance. The event took place on 19 May 2023, and was used as a platform to seek commitments on their advocacy asks. Responsive Drivers Uganda advocated for improved safety for pedestrians and vulnerable road users. They engaged key decision makers such as Gulu City and Division mayors, the Resident City Commissioner, and City Town Clerk to commit to installing and improving pedestrian infrastructure and crossings in high pedestrian volume areas, school zones, and hospitals in Gulu City. On 20 May 2023, they held stakeholder engagement meetings to present evidence-based interventions to the stakeholders and sign commitment forms. They also painted pedestrian crossings across the city and hosted a radio talk show to share road safety issues relating to pedestrian facilities within Gulu City and evidence-based solutions to address them. Safe Way Right Way partnered with the Road Safety Advocacy Coalition in Uganda and the Boda Boda Leadership in Kampala to promote the use of helmets and sensitize boda boda (tricycle) riders on the dangers of riding on pedestrian crossings and footpaths. Through their campaign, they also engaged with decision makers to commit to enforcing the use of the pedestrian footpaths for pedestrians only and implementing 30 km/h speed limits in the city center. URRENO advocated for 30 km/h speed limits and assembled various stakeholders including decision makers from the Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT), Kampala Capital City Authority, Uganda Police, Uganda National Roads Authority, civil society, students and media houses at Kitante Primary School. The chief guest from the MOWT flagged off the event and led participants on a walk back and forth Kira Road as part of advocacy for 30 km/h speed limits. Students from the school made presentations on 30 km/h speed limits and then handed over a petition to the decision maker from the ministry. This was followed by a walk through the streets of Kampala to demonstrate the need for 30 km/h speed limits. |
| Uruguay | Fundación Gonzalo Rodríguez held two major activities for the week. On 16 May 2023, they executed a workshop with decision makers including representatives of the congress of mayors, transit directors, and the road safety agency in attendance. In this workshop, they presented the need for a change in mobility and sought commitments on implementing modal shift strategies from these decision makers. They also engaged the Municipality of Río Negro on 18 May 2023 to support the development of a road safety plan. |
| Zambia | Passengers, Pedestrians and Cyclists Association of Zambia advocated for improved safety for pedestrians, cyclists and vulnerable road users and sought commitments from decision makers to improve facilities and infrastructure to make these road users safer. As part of their activities, they held an awareness meeting with decision makers and other stakeholders to present evidence on what works and obtain their commitments. They had radio talk shows in addition to organizing a car-free day where there was cycling and road shows to advocate for pedestrian and cycling facilities. |
| Zimbabwe | Road Safe Zimbabwe Trust is held a #RethinkMobility Roundtable meeting with media presence at the City of Harare Chambers. As a member of the Active Mobility Stakeholder Group, they used their influence to push for the prioritization of safe school zones, safe walking and cycling infrastructure and 30 km/h speed limits starting with school areas. On 8 June 2023, they will host a roundtable meeting with Ms. Judith Mujegu, City of Harare Town Planner whom they will be focusing their advocacy on to obtain commitments on their asks. |
For materials and activity ideas from the 7th UN Global Road Safety Week, click HERE.
