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World-renowned transport expert gets on his bike in Fremantle

FORMER Bogota Mayor Dr Enrique Penalosa, an international transport expert, was in Fremantle this week 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 of 6.5 million, 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 transportation, education and public spaces.”

Fremantle Deputy Mayor John Dowson, Councillors Brad Pettitt, Jon Strachan and Robert Fittock, City of Fremantle Directors Glen Dougall and Ken Posney and community representatives Stephanie Jennings, Cathy Hall, Fremantle Chamber of Commerce CEO John Longley and Fremantle Society president Ian Alexander also attended the breakfast.

The State Government sponsored Dr Penalosa’s visit to WA with Fremantle Councillor Brad Pettitt organising his port city sojourn, culminating 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.

“Cr Pettitt is to be commended for securing such a world-renowned expert to share his wisdom with us, helping to fuel ideas and further discussion 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 residents each day.