DCE holds ACTIVE Workshop in Oaxaca, Mexico

On February 5th and 6th, 2025, the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, hosted an ACTIVE workshop organised by the Dutch Cycling Embassy and its partners, aimed at promoting active mobility.

Despite challenges such as traffic congestion and an expansive urban layout, the high number of pedestrian trips highlights the city’s potential for active mobility. To help Oaxaca realise this potential, the Dutch Cycling Embassy organised a two-day workshop filled with expert insights and collaborative discussions.

The workshop opened with inspiring speeches from Oaxaca’s Secretary for Mobility, Yesenia Nolasco, and Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands to Mexico, Yvonne Ruijters. Following the speeches, Emma Stubbe from the Dutch Cycling Embassy gave an introductory presentation, and participants watched the short film “Together We Cycle,” which documents the Netherlands’ journey to becoming a cycling nation.

Throughout the workshop, experts Roberto Ascencio of Arcadis and Adrian Puentes of BD+P shared their knowledge on urban planning and cycling infrastructure. Key topics included network planning for cycling and walking, integration of cycling and public transport, and designing cycling infrastructure. Each presentation was followed by break-out sessions that challenged participants to (re-)design infrastructure in their city, leading to lively discussions. Particular focus was given to two case studies: the public park Parque Primavera and the CityBus routes.

Participants, including representatives from Oaxaca’s Secretaría de Movilidad, the Oaxacan municipality, surrounding municipalities, traffic and municipal police, and civil society, found the workshop both useful and motivating. Discussions also touched on crucial topics such as water management as part of public infrastructure and adapting Dutch expertise to local contexts.

During the final presentations, participants showcased their innovative solutions to enhance the safety and comfort of all road users, and especially users of active mobility infrastructure. These solutions have the potential to be highly impactful, given that Oaxaca already possesses key elements of an active mobility-friendly environment, such as strong political leadership committed to investing in cycling infrastructure and an active community of bike users who organise regular events to promote cycling.

This event was made possible through the generous support of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, in collaboration with the Dutch Enterprise Agency RVO, as part of the ACTIVE programme. ACTIVE stands for Alliance for Cycling and Walking Towards International Vitality and Empowerment. The programme is led by The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg with an aim to train 10,000 mobility experts in the Global South over the next decade.

The Dutch Cycling Embassy extends its gratitude to all further partners, including the Oaxacan Secretariat for Mobility, the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Mexico, and Colectivo Gabi Bici Blanca for their support and hospitality.

We look forward to continued collaboration with all stakeholders.