Urban transportation is a multifaceted problem that has to be addressed by both private and public entities in order to achieve a sustainable equilibrium. CO2 and related emissions are due in great part to this economic sector, and its consequences in terms of citizen’s health are also increasing.

Also, traffic accidents are in a rise, and according to the WHO this category could be one of the 5 biggest health problems in the world. Inequity and poverty problems associated with the lack of access to jobs and basic services are also a by-product of inefficient transportation systems.

Economic growth can be increased or decreased with and well- planned integrations between non-motorized and massive transportation systems.

Finally, citizen’s quality of life is influenced by the previous factors, and solving them would result in happier, more productive and healthier people in urban settings.
In the case of Latin America and the Caribbean, these problems can be exemplified by cases such as Lima’s high rate of traffic accidents, Santiago de Chile’s and Mexico City’s serious emission problems and traffic congestion in most big cities.

In the same continent, interventions such as Quito’s ciclovia (organized by a local NGO) or Curitiba’s groundbreaking transport system and Bogotá’s ciclorrutas, its massive transport system -TransMilenio - and public space recovery have contributed to address the transportation problem from a physical and functional point of view.

Nonetheless, there have been marginal attempts at generating discussion groups focusing on transport problems and developing consciousness in Latin America’s citizens about the need to improve transportation systems and to start using non motorized or massive modes of transport instead of the private car.

Sustran LAC's main objectives are the following:

• Create a network of information about sustainable transport organizations, initiatives and best practices related to this topic

• Develop information sharing, capacity building and policy advocacy between organizations and projects of sustainable transportation. It is also a mechanism for promoting sustainable urban transport projects, policies and practices, thus fostering environmental and public health.

• Develop consciousness on road safety for citizens of Latin America through capacity building