Mauricio Rodas

Revolutionized urban mobility in Colombia through pioneering bicycle infrastructure

Mauricio Rodas is a Colombian urban planner and former mayor of Medellín (2015-2019) who transformed his city into a global model for sustainable urban mobility. Born in 1970 in Medellín, Rodas began his career in urban planning with a focus on marginalized communities. His 2016 election promised to address Medellín's notorious traffic congestion and pollution issues through radical infrastructure changes.

Rodas' most impactful initiative was the expansion of Medellín's ciclovía system, creating 200km of protected bike lanes that now serve over 500,000 daily users. He introduced Latin America's first bike-sharing system with solar-powered charging stations, and pioneered the Mercado Móvil - mobile markets on cargo bikes that bring fresh produce to food deserts. His policies reduced city emissions by 23% within three years, earning Medellín the 2018 Sustainable Transport Award.

Rodas' vision extended to public transit equity. He implemented free bus access for students and seniors, and created the Transmilenio Bicicletero integration system allowing cyclists to carry bikes on buses. His 2019 book "Ciudades para Pedaleadores" details his philosophy of human-centered urban design. Despite political challenges, his legacy continues through the Global Alliance for Active Mobility, which he co-founded in 2020.