DRSC partners with ACTIVE on complementary active mobility programme

Following the ACTIVE theory of change about an integrated approach on both ‘software’ (or behavioural aspects), ‘orgware’ (the institutional dimension) and ‘hardware’ (infrastructure), discussions centred on how a country can transition from car dominance to prioritising active travel using the experience of the Netherlands as a key example. Speakers emphasised that although the country is famous for its cycling infrastructure, cars are still an important part of the picture with the Netherlands also one of the most ‘car friendly’ countries in the world. Success, for them, has been based on a strategic combination of public awareness and behaviour change (software), institutional development (orgware), and infrastructural changes (hardware) to strike a balance that meets the needs of all road users. 

Promoting safe active mobility is essential for both social and economic development and for reducing road fatalities. Globally, 90% of road deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, over a billion people in Africa walk or cycle for nearly an hour each day, yet 74% of the roads assessed lack footpaths, and 92% have no pedestrian crossings. WHO assessments indicate that improving infrastructure for walking and cycling could prevent more than 5,600 deaths and reduce carbon emissions by 41 million tonnes in cities like Greater Accra over a decade.