A collection of photos from a car-free glamping weekend in the Brabant woods outside Diessen in the Netherlands.

A collection of photos from a car-free glamping weekend in the Brabant woods outside Diessen in the Netherlands.

A collection of photos from a car-free glamping weekend in the Brabant woods outside Diessen in the Netherlands.

A collection of photos from a car-free glamping weekend in the Brabant woods outside Diessen in the Netherlands.

Seven years without a driving license, and we’re still waiting to find the limits of the bike-train combination in the Netherlands.

The latest: 100 km by rail from Delft to Tilburg, followed by a 20 km pedal through the Brabant countryside for a car-free weekend escape in the woods outside Diessen.

The DCE is proud to be attending the NL-EU-India Urban Mobility Conference!

The NL-EU-India Urban Mobility Summit is a premier bilateral exchange designed to reimagine the future of Indian cityscapes. Scheduled for April 16-17, 2026 in Mumbai.

Learn more: buff.ly/m49FTgU

Did you miss our 1st URBAN TRUTH STARTER PACK? These are accounts with unusually good communications or marketing/branding of issues and ideas for better city-building. Sharing the truth more persausively, and calling out disinformation & lies! Please follow & SHARE! #UrbanTruth
go.bsky.app/47w5jKk

If designed inclusively, cycling infrastructure offers independent mobility to those with physical impairments who are left behind by car dependence.

For many people housebound or reliant on others for transport, two—or three—wheeled travel isn’t just a form of movement, it’s a form of empowerment.

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

Now, as she graciously steps down after two terms, Hidalgo's legacy continues to shape global conversations on urban transformation. Chris is grateful to have contributed to Adele Peters’ thoughtful deep dive in Fast Company, alongside an inspiring group of collaborators. READ MORE: bit.ly/4dz3y8R 🔚

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

“When I was re-elected, many said, ‘What a surprise,’ but it I wasn’t surprised. I know we have two parallel levels at work. The lobbies of men angry because of the removal of cars, and the people. It was the latter, women and young people, who voted for me. So, I can say, ‘The future is with us.’”

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

Results include 1,000 km of bike routes, 350 of which are separated from cars, with €250 million dedicated to network expansion. Paris has also built 300 School Streets, alongside re-greening efforts that saw the removal of 70,000 car parking spaces, and planting of 145,000 trees and 45 km of parks.

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

A series of photographs of colourful bike lanes and pedestrian streets in Paris that feature murals and playgrounds, planter boxes and trees, and benches and terraces.

Paris’ hostile streets have found new life as Mayor Anne Hidalgo bravely transformed it from a city for passing through to a city for passing time. She faced fierce criticism but ultimately found broad support for her ambitious introduction of cycle lanes, pedestrian streets, and public transport. 🧵

A middle aged heterosexual couple dressed in casual spring attire pose for a smiling selfie while cycling along a red asphalt bike path in the polders of South Holland, surrounded by waterways, wetlands, and wide open skies.

In the polders of South Holland, joy is found on smooth ribbons of red asphalt, and the freedom to access nature on your own two wheels.

With every silent pedal stroke, the landscape opens up: waterways, wetlands and wide open skies.

More than just a ride, it’s a reset for the mind, body and soul.

On 25 March, the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Guangzhou, NBSO China, the Dutch Cycling Embassy, and Shenzhen Lay-Out Planning Consultants organized the Sino-Dutch Urban Cycling Forum in Shenzhen. Stakeholders were brought together to share knowledge on cycling policy and infrastructure.

We're proud to share that Melissa is now an 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 #𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆𝗜𝗻𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, a network supporting the EU Commission’s agenda on promoting diveristy, equity and inclusion in the transport sector.

Watch the full webinar for International Women's Day on March 11 here: ec.europa.eu/assets/move/...

Gender equal mobility Learn how gender influences travel patterns and transport needs. Discover inclusive mobility solutions that work better for everyone in our communities.

📍 Access the course here: urbanmobilitycourses.eu/courses/gend...

📆 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦: 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 14 𝘈𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘭 2026.

This is a paid collaboration between Modacity Creative and EIT Urban Mobility

❓ Want to explore this topic further? @eiturbanmobility.eu has created a self-paced online course, that can be completed in less than 4 hours!

UMX is offering a free certificate to all learners who complete it.

👉 To receive the free certificate, please use the promo code MODACITY26 at checkout.

Due to myriad reasons, women move through the city much differently than men.

Care trips, access to public transport, perceived safety, and vibrant public spaces all impact where and how women travel.

We can take a more proactive approach to creating gender equal mobility, where everyone benefits!

We're excited to share that Melissa is bringing the book tour for 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 to Brussels for an evening co-hosted with our friends at the @ecf.com and featuring two amazing women highlighted in the book!

Event detail and registration here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-chan...

A collection of photos of smiling people in business attire riding bicycles together on the streets of Chinese cities.

A collection of photos of smiling people in business attire riding bicycles together on the streets of Chinese cities.

A collection of photos of smiling people in business attire riding bicycles together on the streets of Chinese cities.

A collection of photos of smiling people in business attire riding bicycles together on the streets of Chinese cities.

Chris had an incredible @dutchcycling.nl tour of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen and Chengdu.

What stood out most was the consistency of the message. In every city, there was a strategic pivot: away from decades of car-driven hyper-growth, and toward a future centred on health, happiness, and humanity.

You are seen: An ode to women As this year’s women’s month draws to a close, one final moment to remind women everywhere that they are not alone.

"To women around the world on women’s month
Those who are thriving and those who are merely surviving
Those who are tired and those who run carefree
You are seen."

Melissa takes one last moment to honour the visibile and invisible actions of women everywhere.

modacitycreative.com/2026/03/31/y...

Chongqing is a visually arresting megacity where trains glide through buildings, streets stack on top of each other, and skyscrapers are built into cliffs.

Some call it “5D,” but even that doesn’t do it justice. It’s an immersive experience that reveals a new layer with every step, turn, and climb.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

Most striking is what is excluded: cars. Here, mobility is rehumanised, with parents and children riding side-by-side without the threat of traffic. Truly, Chengdu has created something special, simultaneously serving as a transport route, leisure destination, ecological corridor, and social space.🔚

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

By joining otherwise fragmented green spaces, the project enhances biodiversity, improves air quality, and creates climate-resilience. At the same time, it supports economic development by attracting tourism, stimulating adjacent industries, and generating new public spaces for commerce and culture.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

While capturing global attention, the Tianfu Greenway represents just one step in a far more ambitious plan. It will become a three-tiered, spoke-and-hub network that will ultimately span 17,000 kilometres; a metropolitan ecosystem where green infrastructure acts as the primary organising framework.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

It sits at the heart of Chengdu’s “Park City” vision, a planning philosophy that seeks to dissolve the boundaries between the built and natural environments. Rather than treating parks as isolated destinations, it links wetlands, forests, lakes, and cultural sites into a cohesive, navigable network.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles in groups along Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway, which threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility.

Encircling one of China’s fastest-growing megacities, Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautiful bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre ribbon of active mobility; striving to reconcile rapid urbanisation with access to nature, opportunity, and quality of life.🧵

Chengdu’s Tianfu Greenway threads together 121 ecological parks and 78 beautifully design bridges into one seamless 109 kilometre-long ribbon of active mobility encircling the megacity of 21 million people.

It attracts more than 100 million users each year; on foot, bike, and everything in between.

But of course! bsky.app/profile/moda...

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

In a nation that has put the car first for decades, Gulangyu is a beautiful anomaly: a functioning urban district built entirely around walking. Across the strait, Xiamen’s elevated bike lanes and BRT point toward a more human future. Here, that future exists, and it's just a short ferry ride away.🔚

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

At two square kilometres, Gulangyu is compact enough to walk across in under two hours. Deliveries arrive by ferry and are hauled on hand-carts. The only motor vehicles allowed are small electric buggies for essential services. The result isn't just quieter streets, but a different rhythm of life.

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

Gulangyu’s car-free character is inseparable from its history. Following the First Opium War, Xiamen was forced open as a treaty port, and the island evolved into an international settlement hosting consulates from more than a dozen countries. The island earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2017.

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along the car-free streets of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, China.

A short ferry ride from the high-rises of Xiamen, Gulangyu Island is one of China’s most unusual urban environments. A vibrant, historic settlement that has, quite deliberately, chosen to function without cars. A place where the soundtrack is birdsong, conversation, and the ringing of church bells.🧵

People of all ages and abilities walk along a dedicated and elevated pedestrian pathway through the mountains, forests, lakes, and coastline of Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along a dedicated and elevated pedestrian pathway through the mountains, forests, lakes, and coastline of Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along a dedicated and elevated pedestrian pathway through the mountains, forests, lakes, and coastline of Xiamen, China.

People of all ages and abilities walk along a dedicated and elevated pedestrian pathway through the mountains, forests, lakes, and coastline of Xiamen, China.

By lifting pedestrians above the stress of the city, Xiamen’s Mountain-to-Sea Trail creates a parallel place: quieter, greener and restorative. Here, mobility infrastructure becomes something else entirely: a public space and civic landmark in its own right, suspended between the ocean and the sky.🔚