SustranLac | Sustainable Transport Action Network-Latin America & the Caribbean>

Urban transportation is a multifaceted problem that must 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 the transportation system of each city, and its effects on citizens’ health are also increasing. Traffic accidents are on the rise, and according to the WHO this category could be one of the five biggest health problems in the world.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, these problems are exemplified in cases such as Lima and its high rate of accident occurence, the serious problems of emissions in Santiago, Chile and Mexico, and traffic congestion in most big cities.

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 well- planned integration between non-motorized and mass transit systems.

The quality of life of our citizens is greatly influenced by these factors, and solving them would result in happier, more productive and healthier people in urban settings.
In Latin America, initiatives such as Ciclo-Q, a cycling path in Quito; Escuela Bici Mujer (Women’s Cycling School) in Santiago, Chile; La Voz de La Chimba (the Voice of La Chimba), a newspaper also based in Santiago; el Festival Bicicultura (the Festival of Cylcing Culture), which began in Chile and is now held in Brazil and Mexico; the groundbreaking transportation system in Curitiba; the cycling routes in Bogotá, its massive transportation system -TransMilenio - and the recovery of its public spaces, all have contributed to confront the transportation problem from its physical and functional dimensions.

Nevertheless, we continue to live too isolated from one another, and for some the time has come to correct this sad reality by sharing and getting to know each other over time–no matter what– and to continue to be inspired by a passion for a better world.

We have created the Red Activa Sustran LAC in order to transmit best practices in terms of sustainable transportation, promote change towards sustainability in transportation policies in Latin America, and organize and strengthen those groups in favor of active transportation in Latin America that are working to achieve these goals.