Advertise on podcast: Talking Transport Transformation

What does it really take to keep a bike rolling? In this episode of Next Stop, we sit down with Jeza, a bike mechanic, community organizer, and cycling advocate from the Philippines, to talk about bike maintenance, safety, repair culture, women in cycling, and how bicycles can transform the way we experience our cities. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or thinking about your very first ride, this conversation is full of practical tips and inspiring stories. Follow Jeza: https://www.instagram.com/jezarodz?igsh=MWVsenBleXNxYXUxOQ==

Mobility is one of the hardest spaces to build in. Cities are complex, change is slow, and decisions made today shape daily life for decades. In this episode of Next Stop, we sit down with a young urban planner and entrepreneur working in mobility to talk about what it really takes to build a start-up inside transport systems. We explore her non-linear path into mobility, the realities of founding in a highly institutionalised sector, and why entrepreneurship in transport looks very different from other industries. Recorded in the context of International Women in STEM Day, this conversation focuses less on labels and more on substance – who gets to build, how decisions are made, and what it means to work where cities are planned and movement is designed. We also talk about recognition, responsibility, and what comes next.

This special New Year’s episode of Next Stop marks ten years of the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) – a decade of working with cities, practitioners, and youth to reimagine how mobility can be safer, greener, and more inclusive. Joined by Jens and Keisha, Sana’ reflects on the key lessons, turning points, and decisions that shaped TUMI’s first ten years. The conversation looks ahead to the next decade, exploring the commitments that feel most urgent, the projects and partnerships that will define TUMI’s future, and the role everyday choices and micro-decisions play in transforming large systems.

This episode looks at mental health through the everyday realities of how we move. From car-centric cities to walkable neighborhoods, we explore how transport systems shape our stress levels, our sense of safety, and even our ability to feel connected to the world around us. Together with Shaimaa Refaat — a global health and development professional with experience spanning mental health, youth empowerment, and public policy — we unpack the quiet yet powerful ways mobility affects our well-being. From anxiety behind the wheel to the healing effect of walking, from social isolation to the need for inclusive public spaces, this conversation dives into the emotional life of our cities. We reflect on why mental health is more than the absence of illness, how movement can support resilience, and what it takes to design transport systems that help people feel grounded, safe, and supported. At its heart, this episode asks a simple but overlooked question: What would our cities look like if they were built to protect our minds as much as our bodies?

This episode looks at sustainable transport through the lens of Cairo: a city of over 20 million people where mobility, resilience, and history intersect, but the conversation goes far beyond one place. Together with Mohamed Hegazy (Co-founder of Transport for Cairo and Transport Lead with the Climate Champions) and Ghada (Senior Research Associate at Transport for Cairo and advocate for walkability), we explore big questions around how cities can move better. From cycling and public space to governance, equity, and the future of urban mobility, we reflect on what it takes to design transport systems that truly serve people and communities everywhere. Learn more about Transport for Cairo here: https://transportforcairo.com/ Learn more about TUMI here: https://transformative-mobility.org/

Next Stop #2 | On Car-Free Cities What does “car-free” really mean in practice? Is it a ban, a phased reduction, or a rebalancing of priorities? How can we design cities where caregiving, errands, and school runs aren’t invisible trips but part of inclusive planning? And what would it take to turn the 15-minute city from a buzzword into everyday reality? In this episode of the Next Stop campaign, our Youth Ambassador for Inclusion & Sustainable Transport, Sana’a Khasawneh, sits down with Bronwen Thornton, CEO of Walk21 and one of the world’s leading advocates for walkability, to unpack these questions. Topics we cover: – Redefining “car-free” beyond the slogan – Designing car-light strategies with equity at the core – The 15-minute city: concept vs. practice – Commerce and logistics in car-free transitions – Who builds the political mandate for change – From pilots to permanent transformation Join us as we dive into the compromises, creativity, and coalitions that shape truly walkable cities.

Next Stop #1 | Remembering Cecilia 🌻 In this first episode of the Next Stop campaign, our Youth Ambassador for Inclusion & Sustainable Transport, Sana’a Khasawneh, takes over the Talking Transport Transformation Podcast. She speaks with Jeffrey Jossepy Leandro Díaz, an activist from Lima, Peru, who turned personal tragedy into a movement for safer, more inclusive mobility. After the loss of his partner, Cecilia Melgar — a passionate environmentalist and transport justice advocate — Jeffrey founded Pacto por Ceci (“Pact for Cecilia”), a call to reimagine streets not for speed, but for life. Together, Sana’a and Jeffrey reflect on Cecilia’s vision of mobility rooted in dignity, safety, and belonging, and how her legacy continues to inspire youth-led transport justice worldwide. 🌻 This heartfelt conversation marks the first stop on a journey through stories of courage, imagination, and the fight for inclusive, sustainable transport.

In this episode, we delve into the concept of mobility of care, an often-overlooked aspect of urban mobility that is crucial for creating inclusive and equitable cities. Mobility of care encompasses an analytical category to highlight trips made for caregiving. These trip purposes are typically hidden in other categories, such as shopping. With her work, Inés counteracts a male bias in mobility data and uncovers the true travel patterns of women around the world. Our special guest, Inés Sánchez de Madariaga, a leading expert in gender and urban planning, shares her insights on integrating mobility of care into transportation planning and policy.

In today's podcast episode, we delve into the dynamic realm of e-mobility and its potential to unlock new opportunities for greater gender equity and inclusivity. Join us as we explore the transformative impact of electric mobility on the public transport sector and discuss how it plays a crucial role in promoting equal access to transportation.

Urban transport planning can be gender-friendly and inclusive – Lucas Snaije from BYCS, an Amsterdam-based NGO for promoting cycling in cities, will show us different initiatives where people’s needs take center stage. This is an insightful and enriching episode covering different perspectives of transport users, mainly from vulnerable groups, and their challenges in daily mobility.

In this episode, recorded at the Walk21 conference, we sat down with Jorge Cáñez, who is part of the Kounkuey Design Initiative. KDI is a nonprofit that combines community development and design to create equitable urban spaces that meet social, economic, and environmental needs. Currently, KDI is working on the Gender Equity Action Plan for Los Angeles, USA. This transformative initiative was sparked by the "Changing Lanes" report of 2021, which shed light on the transit system's deficiencies in serving women and gender minorities. We explore the intricacies of sustainability, walking conditions, road safety, and gender equity, including challenges like inaccessible bus stops and lighting concerns. Moreover, we discuss innovative strategies aimed at closing these gaps. Join us on this enlightening journey as we work towards a more equitable, sustainable, and pedestrian-friendly cities.