The War on Cars

Critical Mass Nairobi with Cyprine Odada

Jul 2, 2024

Cyprine Odada, an urban planner and Executive Director of Critical Mass Nairobi, shares how she's transforming Nairobi into a cycling city by organizing non-competitive cycling events, promoting joy and inclusivity in cycling, advocating for cycling infrastructure, and inspiring change in other African cities through the Critical Mass movement.

24:17

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Episode guests

Cyprine Odada

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Quick takeaways

Cyprine Odada fosters community through cycling, changing perceptions in Nairobi.

Critical Mass Nairobi advocates for inclusive transport planning and promotes road sharing and respect.

Deep dives

Promoting Cycling as Sustainable Transportation at VeloCity

VeloCity, a prestigious bike conference, highlighted the importance of cycling as a sustainable transportation method. The event in Ghent attracted over 1,600 people from 60 countries, emphasizing the need for better bike infrastructure worldwide. One activist, Supreme Odada, from Critical Mass Nairobi, shared the challenges of promoting cycling in Nairobi amidst high traffic-related fatalities. Through her efforts, monthly rides now attract up to 500 participants, fostering community and advocating for safer streets.

Intro

4min

Cycling Community Transformation in Nairobi

6min

Embracing Joy and Inclusivity in Critical Mass Nairobi

3min

Advocating for Cycling Infrastructure in Nairobi

7min

Inspiring Change through Cycling Advocacy in Nairobi and Beyond

5min

Cyprine Odada is the Executive Director of Critical Mass Nairobi and an urban planner specializing in active mobility. Ever since founding the Kenyan capital’s chapter of Critical Mass, the largest gathering of non-competitive cyclists in Africa, Cyprine has helped get more people on bikes from different neighborhoods, ages, and social and economic groups, changing the perception of who rides a bike in Nairobi and building more political support for bike infrastructure in a city where cars dominate. By focusing on the joy of cycling and the way in which the bicycle can connect people and create community, Cyprine is doing what she can to transform Nairobi into a cycling city, inspiring other African cities along the way.

This episode was recorded on the floor of the Velo-city Conference in Ghent in June 2024.

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LINKS:

Watch Cyprine Odada’s presentation at TedX in 2020

Learn more about Critical Mass Nairobi

Follow Critical Mass Nairobi on Instagram

Learn more about the Velo-city conference

Grab some merch in our official podcast store.

This episode was produced and edited by Doug Gordon.

https://thewaroncars.org/