As a transport expert I was conscious of the relevance of walking for people mobility. However, only after getting married to a very sensitive pianist, who was able to drive but not aggressive enough to face Rio de Janeiro traffic, that pedestrian problems reached my heart. I still remember my anger when a car parked on the sidewalk compelled me to use the roadway. After moving to S. Paulo, I noticed that the conditions for pedestrians were better but still very uncomfortable and unsafe. It was an easy task to convince my friends, most civil engineers and architects, to organize a pressure group to fight for pedestrian rights. ABRASPE was founded on the 5th of June, 1.981.

Since then we have been engaged in all sorts of events related to pedestrian traffic. Most of our work, however, have been concentrated on basic concepts. We do not consider ourselves a radical or daydreaming group. As transport and traffic specialists we favor public transport, but we do not ignore the convenience of private cars. And we have been insisting on the importance of walkability and accessibility in urban design. We can not force people to use public transport if walking or cycling to and from bus stops or metro rail stations are unsafe and inconvenient and if the trips last too long. On the other hand, we are defending the idea that cars should pay their real costs to run on our streets. This issue should be raised and discussed among car free supporters.

Mr. Daros will be working with the Earth Car Free Day team to organize pedestrian projects in support of the Day throughout Brazil. For further background on the Brazilian Pedestrian Association click here.

Click here to see the currrent ABRASPE ECFD profile.

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