How a global network of grassroots leaders is getting cities to ride more bikes
A worldwide “Bicycle Mayor” movement is helping cities ditch cars by empowering local cycling champions to push for change from the street up.
Kaja Šeruga reports for Reasons To Be Cheerful.
In short:
- After teaching herself to ride in Addis Ababa during the pandemic, Maren Ahlers started organizing women’s bike classes and now leads a 450-member cycling group.
- She joined the global Bicycle Mayor Network, a 150-member coalition in 34 countries that supports sustainable transit by advocating infrastructure, policy, and cultural shifts around cycling.
- Despite being unpaid and often facing bureaucratic resistance, these "mayors" are influencing city decisions, like Ethiopia’s move to build 100 kilometers of new bike lanes.
Key quote:
“It can really sound bizarre to some people that bicycles can be such a center of life. But it’s astonishing to see the energy that people put into that, the motivation that they have, and how much they can do.”
— Michela Chamonal, coordinator, Bicycle Mayor Network
Why this matters:
They’re not elected, not paid, and not sitting in city hall, but they’re showing up in public squares, schoolyards, and transportation hearings with one mission: make cities safer, saner, and more breathable by putting more people on two wheels. It’s climate action powered by everyday people pushing for healthier, more connected neighborhoods. And while they may not carry political clout, these “mayors” are becoming city leaders.
Read more: Bicycling is having a moment—let’s use it to make riding more safe and inclusive
