In 2021, A core group representing three entities; Tabdeel, Transport for Cairo, and the Nada Foundation for Safer Egyptian Roads sought to help communities that want a safer more live-able street environment, to encourage safe non-motorized, active transportation as well as more efficient modes of transportation thus improving living conditions for road users and urban residents, as well as have a positive impact on the environment and quality of life for all. The alliance provides not only a platform to further defend the rights of the vulnerable road users[1] but also to empower them towards achieving safer, efficient mobility and healthier public space. The Alliance will specifically focus on Vulnerable road users: Pedestrians, Cyclists, Public transport users, Elders, Children, Persons with disabilities, as well as two-wheel motorized vehicles. In general, the concern of the Alliance is for those who are easily injured or killed in car-dominated road space.

Mission and Vision of the initiative

The Alliance aims to advocate for the rights of vulnerable road users and empower them towards achieving safer, efficient mobility and healthier public space. The vision of the Alliance aligns with  the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

1. SDG 3 Health Target 3.6
   for better road safety laws and enforcement, quality forms of non-motorized transport, and better post-crash care.
2.  SDG 10 – Reduce Inequalities (Target 10.2)
   Petitioning for more meaningful youth representation in road safety decision-making.
   Fighting for women’s rights to move safely and free of prejudices.

4- SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities (Target 11.2)

• Advocating to put vulnerable road users first in city design.
• Pressing local decision-makers to invest in safer and sustainable infrastructure, vehicles, and road users.

5- SDG 13 – Climate action

• Advocating for safe and sustainable transport that is clean and green.

The initiative will be working on the most urgent needs and commitments in the Egyptian context for the protection of Vulnerable Road Users. Its strategies and activities will have a direct link with topics such as Health, Climate change, Social & Economical gender equality, as well as sustainable cities.

Goal

By 2024, The alliance aims to create a Vulnerable road users’ movement demanding safer, efficient mobility by empowering, strengthening, and supporting local actions from entities or individuals working on mobility.

Our strategies

The Charter adheres to the following strategies’ three pillars:

1) networking and sharing,

Enable interconnectedness and influence between local institutions (Governmental Organizations, NGOs, Academic and Research centers, and Private Sector) and Global institutions (Inter-Governmental organization, Multinational Corporation, Global and developmental institutions).

2) advocacy and accountability

Advocacy and policy change to support safe mobility for vulnerable Road Users.

3) capacity building

Empower vulnerable road users’ groups and individuals, bridging the gap of knowledge by increasing capacity and access to tools, information, and opportunities.

[1] “Vulnerable road user” is a term applied to those most at risk in traffic, i.e. those unprotected by an outside shield Pedestrians, pedal cyclists, and motor cyclists are accordingly considered as vulnerable since they benefit from little or no external protective devices that would absorb energy in a collision. The concept is widely used in transport and road safety discourse and refers to those who are easily injured and killed in a car-dominated road space.