Johannesburg, South Africa is currently hosting the EcoMobility World Festival 2015 for the month of October. Ecomobility looks at travel through integrated, socially inclusive and environmentally friendly modes such as walking, cycling and public transportation. World Cycling Alliance (WCA) Board Member Amanda Ngabirano Aziidah presented at the EcoMobility World Festival at the beginning of the month. Presenting for the "Reshaping cities for EcoMobility: Strategies and Tactics" session, Ms. Ngabirano was part of the day-long dialogue on reshaping the current urban landscape for EcoMobility and tactical urbanism.

“EcoMobility is leading in the African context – but not out of choice. I joke that, for example, Kampala should win an EcoMobility Award because 60% of trips made by are non-Motorized transport users, including cycling”, says Ms. Ngabirano. She continues by saying that the current 'ecomobility' system is not sustainable because it does not include all users equally – there is no provision of cycling policies, infrastructure and facilities, safe walking and convenient public transport. “Levels should be maintained by improving the facilitation for the larger public,” according to Ms. Ngabirano, who further pointed to gender as a barrier: “If women are discouraged from riding [a bike] because of cultural barriers and lack of safe cycling facilities, they will be kept out, hence EcoMobility will remain a dream if we don’t focus on training programs and making mobility safe for women and children”. A key point, reinforcing the African context, is the need for “an African benchmark or example”. As Ms. Ngabirano states, “it is great to learn from Europe and elsewhere, where it has been successful, but we must keep in mind the African context: socially, politically and the spatial planning situation…the African context is very different.” It is through voices such as Ms. Ngabirano's that these African examples will take shape and become the leading benchmarks for the African context. The EcoMobility World Festival, running for the whole month of October 2015 in Sandton (just outside of Johannesburg in South Africa), is aimed at sustainable mobility. The festival is in full swing: click here to get a short report of the first half of the month, or take a moment to read the Johannesburg Declaration on Ecomobility in Cities (to be presented at the COP21).