Category: Episodes

Season 2, Episode 6

Voices of Velo-city: Wins, Challenges and the Future of Active Mobility

Welcome to a completely different format for this month’s Squeaky Wheel Podcast!

We recorded at the Velo-city conference 2025 in Gdansk, Poland, held from 10^th-13^th June 2025.

Gdansk might not be as large or highly visited as some of the cities previously hosting Velo-city, but it’s a unique city with a powerful recent history. This northern Polish portside city was the birthplace of the Solidarity movement whose long struggle and hard-won victories over oppression and tyranny ultimately sparked the collapse of the Soviet Union and changed world history forever.

Here are four scenes from Velo-city 2025’s host city.

Phil recorded a “vox pops”. He asked the same four questions in the same order to seven different conference presenters, who came from a wide range of locations around the world.

Unfortunately, the sound quality of the recording of one of the guests was too poor to use, so you will only see six guests below. Apologies to Murat Suyabatmaz, Co-founder and Director of the Turkish Cyclists Association – hopefully we can chat at a future Velo-city!

Our guests in order of appearance are:

Aangi Shah

Senior Associate, Institute of Transportation and Development Policy, Mumbai, India

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Amanda Ngabirano

Chairperson, The National Physical Planning Board, Kampala, Uganda

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Chris Bruntlett

International Relations Manager – Dutch Cycling Embassy, Utrecht, Netherlands

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Karen Vancluysen

Secretary General, Polis (Cities and Regions for Transport Innovation), Brussels, Belgium

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Philippe Crist

Senior Advisor at the International Transport Forum (ITF) and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Philippe emphasised that he was speaking in a personal capacity and not as a representative of these organisations. From Paris, France via Nashville Tennessee.

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Eleanor McMahon

Former politician and cabinet minister, CEO & Founder of Share the Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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The four questions asked for their personal perspectives on what the scene was like in their home city – the biggest recent wins, main challenges and their hopes for the future.

You’ll hear a lot of vision and passion in this unique global snapshot from an inspiring host city and conference.

In her comments, our guest Karen Vancluysen repeatedly talks about Elke Van den Brandt who is Brussels’ Minister of Mobility, Public Works and Road Safety. Because she sounded like such an influential person, I found this link to a great article about her published by Zag Daily.

Enjoy!

What’s Up?

In our “What’s Up?” section we mention the leading NYC Mayoral candidate Zorahn Mamdani and his radical policies of cycling and public transport. Here’s a link to his survey responses supplied to Streetsblog.org.

It’s Tour de France time. Here’s a very nicely made advertisement that will hopefully put a smile on your face.

Finally, in her “What’s Up” comments, Irene refers to a new video showcasing the impact of the Extended Light Insights Trial (LIT) — a collaboration between the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Surf Coast Shire Council (SCS) and See.Sense.

By combining anonymised See.Sense sensor data collected on bikes with local community feedback, the project identified safety challenges along Fischer Street, Torquay – a high-risk corridor for people on bikes. The insights gathered helped shape targeted safety upgrades now making a real difference for riders connecting the north and south of the town.

This is a great example of how data and engagement can work hand in hand to create safer, more connected cycling routes.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7346486618716835841

Season 2, Episode 5

With Dr Hafez Alavi

In this episode we’re talking with leading safety expert, Dr Hafez Alavi.

Hafez has a passion for making our lives safer when we travel. 

Hafez was born and raised in Iran.

We start by asking him about key events during the first half of his life that helped to inspire his passion for road safety.

Having already completed a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in Iran, followed by a masters in transport engineering and planning, Hafez then migrated to Australia and did a PhD in road safety and injury prevention at Monash University.

Based in Melbourne, Monash’s Accident Research Centre is the largest and most respected of its type in Australia.

After a distinguished career spanning state, federal and international government funded authorities, Hafez created his own consulting firm in 2020 which he continues to run today.

You might think that road safety research is a dry and dull topic for conversation, but as you’ll soon hear, Hafez has an irrepressible enthusiasm for life and his passion about this topic is contagious!

Relevant Links

Here are some links to a range of presentations Hafez has previously posted on LinkedIn:

10 Common Myths About Speed & Speeding.

Hafez collaborated with colleagues to produce this humorous 10 point article and an excellent four minute video explaining the dangers of speeding.

How a Local Council in the US Eradicated Road deaths? Hoboken, New Jersey

Seven strategy tips after Hafez, who is a prolific traveller, visited Hoboken.

How to Provide a Safe System for Valuable Road Users, i.e. Pedestrians, Cyclist and Micrombility Users:

A LinkedIn post and video produced by Hafez based upon the Kinetic Energy Management Model developed at Monash University Accident Research Centre.

How to Organise Our Roads and Streets with Safety of Everyone in Mind

A graphic explainer from Hafez about how street hierarchy should be organised and designed.

Community’s Reaction to 30km/h Zones in Melbourne, Australia

Spelling out the proven benefits of 30 kph zones for all local streets.

How to Provide a Safe System for E-Scooter Riders

A five point plan, written by Hafez, for achieving safer e-scooter riding.

How to Look at Different Infrastructure from a Safe System Perspective. This time a Dutch-style Roundabout

A two minute video produced by Hafez that explains the key design features needed to make a roundabout safer, not just for people driving, but also cycling and walking.

Hafez also briefly refers to CASA, this is the Centre for Automotive Safety Research, which is based in the University of Adelaide, South Australia.

What’s Up?

Both Irene and Phil refer to the 2025 Velo-city conference in Gdansk, Poland which will have finished just before this podcast goes live, at which See.sense will be presenting and Phil will be attending and recording Vox Pop’s for next month’s podcast.

Irene also gave a sneak preview of a new project they’ll be doing with Tier Dott in Helsinki Finland. You can see ongoing See.sense news announcements here.

Irene will also be speaking at the AITPM Conference in September in Adelaide.

Phil mentioned that in addition to Velo-city he’ll be attending Micromobility Europe in Brussels and Eurobike in Frankfurt.

Season 2, Episode 4

With Jill Warren

Just over five years ago, Jill Warren left a very senior global corporate career and took a serious pay cut to follow her passion and become the CEO of one of the world’s largest and most influential cycling advocacy organisations, the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF)

She’s overseen some historic wins and helped to significantly grow the ECF, but now Jill has decided that it’s time to move on, having announced her intention to leave in July 2025.

In this interview we ask Jill to detail some of the ECF’s biggest wins, ongoing challenges and she encourages us all to “follow your why” when you’re looking to persuade others.

As you’ll soon discover if you listen to this interview, Jill is a highly articulate and insightful communicator. She’s also a true internationalist. An American who has lived many years in Europe and who could have given this interview just as well in Dutch, German or French. Luckily for us she was happy with English this time!

Relevant Links

Here is the ECF’s main website.

Here is a link to their most recent annual reports and other major reports.

If you fancy a European cycling holiday, this is their EuroVelo international cycling routes page.

Here is the European Declaration on Cycling made in 2024, that should unlock many policy and funding changes over future years.

In terms of funding for cycling infrastructure, Jill summarised:

€3.2 billon over seven years from the European Commission for direct funding of infrastructure to their 27 member countries.

€1.2 billion of co-funding with member countries.

€1.7 billion of one-off funding stemming from the Covid pandemic

Giving a sub total of €6.1 billion. This converts to US$7.2 billion, GB£5.12 billion and A$10.5 billion.

In addition to this is internal country, regional and city funding throughout Europe.

What’s Up?

Irene refers to this report, co-authored by Dr Merdith Glaser and Barbara Oliviera Soares about barriers to cycling in Amsterdam.

Irene also talks about a new UK travel survey showing very mixed and overall disappointing results for cycling activity trends there.

Phil refers to the City of Adelaide’s Integrated Transport Strategy, for which public comment closes on 25^th May 2025.

Phil also talks about autonomous vehicles and in particular a report on Waypoint, the official blog of autonomous vehicle company Waymo, that reports up to 92% lower crash rates.

Finally, here’s an illustration of Gartner’s Hype Cycle that Phil refers to.

Season 2, Episode 3

With Kirsty Kelly

Kirsty Kelly is quietly spoken, but in this interview she shares great insights with authority.

Since 2019 Kirsty has been CEO of the AITPM (Australian Institute of Traffic Planning in Management) which is Australia’s national association for transport professionals.

Under Kirsty’s leadership, the AITPM recently published a groundbreaking Policy Issues Paper: The Path to Net Zero: Decarbonising Australia’s Transport System. You can download the full paper here.

In this interview we discuss six highlights of the paper’s 22 recommendations. AITPM is a professional membership association, not a lobby group, but many of these recommendations are in alignment with the things that lobby groups are calling for.

Kirsty has taken a keen interest in sustainable urban development for many years. Prior to joining the AITPM she was CEO of the Planning Institute of Australia – the peak professional body for Australia’s urban and regional planning professionals.

Kirsty is a qualified urban planner who has practiced her profession both within local and state governments and in private practice. She’s also been a member of range of boards and advisory groups.

In the What’s Up? section that follows our interview with Kirsty, we mention two organisations: 

Yarra Bug Podcast is an excellent long-running podcast that is also broadcast on 3CR community radio in Melbourne.

Camcycle is an advocacy organisation based in the small university city of Cambridge UK. Its dynamic CEO Roxanne De Beaux recently completed a speaking tour of Australia that we attended and we hope to have Roxy as a future guest on the Squeaky Wheel Podcast.

Season 2, Episode 2

With Professor Matt Burke

Matt is a great communicator who not only gives many insightful comments, but does so with a smile on his face and a glint in his eye.

Matt is a leading transport researcher and renowned expert on urban planning who has spoken widely via local state and national media, plus given keynotes at many conferences. Until recently Matt was Deputy Director at Griffith University’s Cities Research Institute. He has secured five national research grants and led major transport collaborations with Brisbane City Council and Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Matt grew up in Melbourne and graduated with a Bachelor of Planning and Design (hons) for the University of Melbourne. He then moved to Brisbane in the late 1990’s where he did his PhD in Urban Planning at the University of Queensland.

In our interview Matt covers a wide range of topics from the “D-Day Invasion” of cars that lands in every schoolground twice a day, through to “autobesity”, the need for better urban planning and more.

Finally, you can see video of Ario self-parking three wheeled e-scooters that Phil mentions here.

Season 2, Episode 1

With Sara Stace

Sara Stace is a dynamic force of nature who will never die wondering what might have happened if she gave something a try!

After graduating as both an Architect and Urban Designer, Sara initially worked in these professions both within Australia and abroad.

Sara is a city shaper and innovator on cities, land use, urban transport and economics. She’s worked in federal, state and local governments, and the private sector, for 30 years.  Sara is currently on the board and treasurer of the World Cycling Alliance, President of Better Streets Australia, and has served on many other boards across both the government and advocacy sectors.  Sara has co-authored over 30 publications and policy papers for the United Nations, Australian Government and others.

You can see more about the World Cycling Alliance here.

You can see more about Better Streets here.

Better Streets is running a campaign leading up to the 2025 Australian federal election. They have a list of five clear ‘asks’ and have built a coalition of companies and not for profit organisations that have endorsed this campaign. At the time of writing this there were about 100 organisations signed on, but Better Streets is still looking for more to join. You can see the full list of coalition members here.

Sara has comprehensive background information and regularly posts on her LinkedIn page here. In that page, you will see that just after recording the Squeaky Wheel podcast with us, Sara announced on 6^th Febe 2025 that she’s cofounding a new consultancy called Vivendi Cities.

Sara refers to Infrastructure Australia mid-way through our conversation and mentions that she was not sure of the minimum project value threshold before projects must be assessed by them. It is $250 million.

Season 1, Episode 7

With Kevin Mayne

For more than a quarter of a century, Kevin has been one of the world’s most senior and successful leaders of cycling advocacy organisations.

At the time we spoke to Kevin he was just about to retire after building Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) from small foundations into a large, successful, industry-funded peak advocacy group.

Originally from the UK but having lived in Brussels for many years because it’s the headquarters of the European Union, Kevin and his team have just seen the European Declaration of Cycling. This is a landmark – highest level statement from which billions of Euros of funding and other benefits should flow.

Kevin chose to take a huge pay cut and to end an international corporate career in major food and beverage companies in order to join Cycling UK, then years later the European Cyclists Federation, then his most recent role at CIE.

In this podcast Kevin shares many pearls of wisdom from his life’s experience both in the corporate and advocacy worlds, including tips for how to increase the effectiveness of advocacy organisations of all sizes.

In the podcast, starting from the 10 minute 35 second point, Kevin mentions several financial amounts. All of these amounts he refers to are in Euros.

When the podcast was recorded the exchange rate was $1.62 Australian = €1 Euro. Therefore the amounts he refers to converted to Australian dollars are:

• First European budget when Kevin joined: €600 million = A$972 million
• Current budget spending €4.7 billion = A$7.56 billion.
• Additional €2 billion from covid funding = A$3.24 billion.

Links

The European Declaration on Cycling
Here is a link to the full declaration

Cycle Industries Europe 10 Point Manifesto.
Via this link.

Here is a link to Stephen Yarwood, former Lord Mayor of Adelaide, urban planner and “city futurist”, referred to by Kevin from when he visited Velo-city Adelaide.

In 2022 we also did an in person video interview of Kevin at Eurobike in Frankfurt, German. That interview has some overlap, but a lot of other material not covered in our podcast. You can watch that interview here.

CIE new CEO. At the time of writing these show notes the new CEO to become Kevin’s successor had not been announced, but here is a link to the CIE news page where the announcement will appear.

Finally there’s are recording of Kevin’s speech to a crowded room at the Cycle Industry Leaders Breakfast that was presented on 4th July 2024. This was recorded on a phone from a seat in the audience so the sound quality is not great, but the speech itself is worth listening to.

Season 1, Episode 6

With Phil Jones

Phil Jones is a quietly spoken achiever who has played a significant role behind the scenes in some of the UK’s most important advancements in active travel. Phil lives near Birmingham, UK where he has worked as a Charted Civil Engineer for over 40 years.

In 2003 Phil founded PJA (Phil Jones associates) which has grown to over 130 staff today and is widely recognised as the leading expert consultancy regarding cycling and active transportation, particularly in relation to transport planning, engineering and placemaking. PJA is also actively involved in the Australian market, with some team members based here.

Phil was a key player in providing technical expertise for Wales’ groundbreaking national implementation of 20 mph (30 kph) speed limits.

He also serves on the board of Active Travel England and helped write the UK Department of Transport’s Manual for Streets.

Phil also serves on a number of other boards and advisory panels, including a significant amount of pro-bono work for advocacy groups.

Links

PJA website: https://pja.co.uk/

UK’s Manual for Streets: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/manual-for-streets-2

Active Travel England website: https://www.activetravelengland.gov.uk/#

Active Travel Capability Ratings System: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-active-travel-capability-ratings

20 mph speed limit Wales, half million signature petition: https://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/news/half-a-million-signed-petition-to-reverse-20mph-limits-where-cymru-is-at-seven-months-into-going-slow-680223

Agilisys report re positive impact of lower speed limits in Wales: https://agilysis.co.uk/2023/09/25/wales20/

AITPM policy paper on decarbonising transport: https://www.aitpm.com.au/policy/decarbonising-transport

Streets Ahead Podcast link to the Louise Hague M.P. interview: https://shows.acast.com/streets-ahead/episodes/louise-haigh-mp-secretary-of-state-for-transport

Season 1, Episode 5

With Kylie Nixon

Kylie Nixon is one of Australia’s most experienced active transport professionals, but also a mum who encourages her kids to walk and ride and of course, worries about their safety.

She graduated from the Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering, followed by a Post Graduate Diploma in Urban Regional Planning.

Kylie is an Associate Principal for the global consultancy Arup, where she’s worked for 28 years. Her career with Arup has taking her around the world including living in London for about six years and working as part of the team planning infrastructure for the 2021 London Olympic Games.

She then returned to her hometown of Brisbane. With Brisbane having been awarded the 2032 Olympics, Kylie is hoping to apply some of the experience and lessons she learned from London to help make the most of Brisbane’s unique Olympic opportunity.

Season 1, Episode 4

With Lee Waters

Over recent years Lee Waters has been one of the most courageous and consequential politicians in the world when it comes to advocating for safer, more sustainable travel modes and questioning the usually unchallenged primacy of private automobiles.

As Minister for Transport in the Welsh Government he led bold reforms in sustainable transport policies that generated international interest – including a new approach to road building, a default 20mph speed limit in built-up areas, and a set of institutional reforms to embed integrated transport based on ‘one network, one timetable, one ticket’.

Prior to becoming an elected politician, Lee had a high level career spanning media and lobbying organisations.

Links

Global Cycling Network Motonormativity Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_4GZnGl55c

Lee Waters Blog: https://amanwy.blogspot.com/

Lee Waters LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leewaters/