We continue our mini-interview series with the Velo-city 2019 Keynote Speakers! #VC19Keynote #MeetTheSpeakers #CyclingForTheAges

Oluwaseun Sonoiki is the Corporate & Legal Secretary at LAMATA, an agency of the Lagos State Government which is responsible for planning, implementing, regulating and franchising public transport infrastructure and operations.

‘Seun contributes to the development of legal strategies that enables the necessary resource consents for the implementation of LAMATA’s capital projects and she advises LAMATA on all matters relevant to its operation, particularly land transport related acts, regulations, rules, and state sector related legislation.

She played a vital role in supporting the development of the Lagos Non – Motorised Transport (NMT) Policy which aims to create an environment that supports increased accessibility by prioritising walking and cycling.

As a member of LAMATA’s Executive Management Team she specialises in Corporate Transactional Law, building and maintaining effective relationships with key business users, external legal providers and public sector legal advisors.

‘Seun is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Law Society England and Wales, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) and she is currently undergoing an Executive MBA programme at the Business School Netherlands.

What does cycling for the ages mean to you?

Cycling is the cheapest pollution - free mode of transport. It is also a form of exercise that improves the wellbeing of people. Cycling has no age restriction, as a matter of fact, it has been linked to longevity. A recent study published in The BMJ has shown that cycling reduces the risk of death from all causes by more than 40% and cuts the risk of cancer and heart disease by 45% when compared with non – active commuting. Cycling 10km each day to work can save 1500kg of greenhouse gas emissions each year which is a huge environmental benefit.

How will the city of the future look like taking into consideration the gaps in the developing and developed world?

The city of the future ought to aspire towards a greener city with ideologies that encourage a healthy ecosystem. This would come from ethos (a greener city), ideologies (what encourages a healthy ecosystem), policies (deliberate actions that provide a greener city and designs that meet the criteria set by such policies) and execution of policies (the creation of policies and the provision of infrastructure).

There is a huge gap between the developing and developed world which undoubtedly has its pros and cons. The city of the future will make a conscious effort to consider factors such as health, safer modes of transport, technology, sustainable infrastructures and robust research in its design ensuring that it is not in any way unfavourable to the people. Although every development is welcome, there occasionally is a disadvantage that is suffered as a result of that development. Therefore, with a robust research and balance of all relevant aspects of such development being introduced, risks that may be detrimental to the city may be minimal.

What do you expect from Velo-city 2019 Dublin?

I look forward to learning more about Dublin particularly on its cycling heritage and how it has it been able to sustain the culture of cycling in the midst of its development. I would also like to know how Dublin has been able to formulate pro-cycling policies and its implementation strategies.

I also hope that attending the Velo-city conference would grant me an opportunity to cycle in Dublin city as well as explore the possibilities of encouraging cycling in Lagos, Nigeria.

Oluwaseun Sonoiki is a speaker in the second plenary session of Velo-city 2019 Dublin, entitled “Policy - is it catching up with the Tech Development?” to take place on Tuesday, June 25th 2019 at 17.00-18.00.
For more information on the Velo-city Programme, Exhibition and Registration go to: https://www.velo-city2019.com 
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