Velo-city 2018 article series featuring mini interviews on plenary speakers continue with Cristina Mendonça, plenary speaker for the “Global Policy” plenary.

Cristina Mendonça serves as C40’s Engagement Senior Manager, working in close collaboration with C40’s Head of Sustainable Consumption Programme on a special project aimed at reducing emissions from over-consumption, through the adoption of sustainable life style practices.

Also, as Manager of C40’s Office in Rio, she engages the political, technical and administrative leadership of the City of Rio in C40’s activities toward Deadline 2020 vision, where cities will develop a climate action plan aligned with the Paris Agreement’s goals.

A quick chat with Cristina Mendonça:

•        What does Access to Life mean to you?

In a city, it means high quality public spaces, where we breathe good quality air, eat healthy food, where diverse relationships are nourished, where our work has the unique purpose of serving other beings, providing well-being to all. And access to mobility is a fundamental condition to access life and I cannot think of a more inclusive and equitable place than one that enables citizens to cycle and to walk in a safe and comfortable way.

•        What cycling lessons are you bringing to Rio?

Mayoral leadership is crucial to building a cycling-friendly city, as well as deep involvement and participation of citizens and other urban-stakeholders. And evidence from C40 cities demonstrates it pays-off: economically, socially, culturally and environmentally.

•        What are you looking forward to the most at Velo-city 2018?

I’m looking forward to engaging conversations, discussions, networking and knowledge sharing that inspire, enhance and expand the number of trips by bikes in Rio and globally. I’d be very happy to share these learnings with C40, so that it can be disseminated through our newly created Cycling and Walking Network.

•        What do you think is the added value of a global interdisciplinary approach to cycling?

It makes the case, in a very pragmatic way, that we should adopt a system’s approach when addressing cycling. New development of physics, natural sciences, neuroscience, these are all showing us that that everything is integrated and affect everything else. And these learnings are not different for urban infrastructure projects.

So, the time for analysing a project in a fragmented and isolated way is over. The development of 21st century solutions that simultaneously successfully address the complex global planetary challenges will require systems thinking approach, a new worldview and deep collaboration with all stakeholders (including national governments).

Health, infrastructure, technology, governance, data, social inclusion, education, climate resilience, individual’s worldviews and behaviours, all these themes are present and should be integrated in cycling programs. And being able to learn from other global experiences is an excellent way to promote cycling and raise its importance as a transportation mode.

•        What will you visit by bike in Rio?

Having lived in Rio for 14 years now, the bike has been one of my preferred choices for short trips. To attend meetings, to go to work, for leisure, to visit my family in Niterói, and the list goes on… Cycling boosts my energy, as I experience freedom while exercising.

I don’t have a particular place that I’d like to visit, but I would like to push my edge and enjoy exploring and having fun biking on rainy days - light rain only!

The “Global Policy” plenary is scheduled for Day 4 of Velo-city 2018; Friday 15^th June 2018 at 09.00-10.00.

For all information on the Velo-city 2018 Program please click here:
For Velo-city 2018 Side-events please click here:
For Velo-city 2018 Speaker line-up please click here:
Register now for Velo-city 2018 Rio de Janeiro!
*Stay up to date by following us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and join our group on LinkedIn