In February, former Bogota Mayor and international transport expert,
Dr Enrique Penalosa, visited Fremantle to share his insights on sustainable modes of travel. At a special breakfast attended by Fremantle Mayor, Peter Tagliaferri, Councillors and community leaders, Dr Penalosa highlighted that cities should be for people, not cars.
“As Mayor of Bogota between 1998 and 2001, Dr Penalosa instituted a number of initiatives, including several car free days that helped change community attitudes to alternative transport,” Mayor Tagliaferri said. “He transformed Bogota, a Colombian City with 6.5 million people, by promoting public transport, cycling and walking instead of using cars.
“Dr Penalosa developed a model for urban improvement based on the belief that all people should have equal access to transport, education and public spaces.”
The Western Australian Government sponsored Dr Penalosa’s visit to the State, with Fremantle’s Councillor Brad Pettitt organising the Fremantle event. It culminated in a bike ride around Fremantle from the Mill Bakehouse to the WA Maritime Museum and back to Council offices.
“It was an engaging way to show off Fremantle and highlight that we are committed to similar sustainable transport principles,” Mayor Tagliaferri said. “Councillor Pettitt is to be commended for securing such a world renowned expert to share his wisdom with us, helping to fuel ideas and further discussions into the future.”
Dr Penalosa has a background as a journalist, economist and administrator, matched with his time as Mayor, when he reclaimed the streets for the people of Bogota by building hundreds of footpaths, bicycle paths, pedestrian streets and green areas. He also created Bogota’s TransMilenio bus system, which now carries 500,000 passengers each day.
