The third day of Velo-city started with a stimulating discussion about “Intermodality”.

In a nutshell, the plenary discussed the power of the bicycle in an intermodal metropolitan area. During the plenary, the contrast between EU National and regional case with South-American Development was also showcased. Finally the challenges, innovations and perspectives of a transport system that is more inclusive, efficient and affordable were explored.

The plenary was moderated by Lars Stromgren, president of Cykelfrämjandet (The Swedish Cycling Advocacy Association) and Svensk Cykling (Swedish Cycling), as well as Vice President of the European Cyclists’ Federation.

The speakers for the plenary “Intermodality” were:

• Viviana Tobón, Sub director of Mobility of the Metropolitan Area of the Valle do Aburra (Medellin).

Ms. Tobón presented the challenges of connecting the municipalities of the metropolitan area of the Valle do Aburra with a highlight to the integration of the bike sharing system with mass transport. She focused on the role of the bicycle to cover the first and last mile connectivity.

“Bicycles can be a great ally in reversing the growth in motorization”

• Pascal Smet, Minister of mobility in Brussels.

Mr. Smet presented the Brussels case. Although a European city, Brussels is still one of the most car centered cities. Pascal Smet is the minister who did most to turn the city into a safer city, doing a lot for cycling, walking and public transport. He also closed the main axe north south of the city to cars and making it a pedestrian zone.

“We want to move from a city for cars to a city for people and we need to change mentality. We need to talk about objectives, not about the means”.

• Verena Andreatta, Secretary of Urbanism of Rio de Janeiro.

Ms. Andreatta presented the Project Rio Conecta (Project on connecting the modes of transport of the City of Rio), bringing the case of Rio in transport development through the lenses of urban planning.

“We are thinking about innovation, viability, legitimacy, financing and governance, so that we can make our program feasible”

• Lake Sagaris, associate adjunct professor of transport engineering at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, affiliated with the Centre of Excellence in BRT and the Sustainable Urban Development Centre (CEDEUS).

Ms. Sagaris gave an overview of the studies and research on intermodality bringing in a perspective of the global south and its issues; gender, social inclusion, governance. An academic perspective of the new trends.

“We need to push back from the elephant in the room: automobility. It is our problem, our enemy, it is anti-life”.

The plenary “Intermodality” took place during Day 3 of Velo-city 2018; Thursday 14^th June 2018 at 9.00-10.00.