Open Streets in Abuja
Inspired by Open Streets Cape Town, Open Streets Abuja provides a meeting point for stakeholders advocating for a just safe sustainable, active and just mobility and urban spaces. It closes busy urban roads for hours to allow for neigborhoods, residents and visitors alike to own the road, participate in cycling clinics, skate, play, and enjoy urban freedom that a just city provides.

Other activities include student street debates, poetry and art exhibitions, children cycling competitions, and indoor games. The first main event was held on 16th March 2019.

Who is involved?
Open Streets Abuja is run by Ochenuell Mobility, a sustainable transport and road safety organisation in collaboration with the city authority (Federal Capital Development Authority), the Transport Secretariat, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, the Center for Citizens with Disability, the Cycling Federation of Nigeria and other organisations that collaborate from time to time.

What’s next?
With 23 volunteers and the staff of Ochenuell Mobility, they have held 5 editions in different parts of the city and the 6th one is under way.
How it started
The Let’s Get Lagos Moving Campaign, a network of NGOs, interest groups, and individuals advocating for inclusive transportation, began its journey with a focus on Non-Motorised Transportation (NMT) by celebrating World Bicycle Day in 2021. Spearheaded by the Lagos Urban Development Initiative (LUDI) as its secretariat, the campaign capitalized on this momentum by hosting a Car-Free Day in 2022. This milestone event garnered significant attention, prompting the Lagos State Ministry of Transport to commit to making it an annual tradition.

Evolution into an Annual event
In 2023, the campaign expanded its vision, transforming the initiative into a Sustainable Transport Festival, a multi-day event culminating with the Car-Free Day as its grand finale. During the festival’s final day, a major road is closed to vehicular traffic, creating a vibrant space for diverse activities such as cycling, skating, taekwondo, vending, and other games.

Objectives
The objectives of the festival and the car-free day are to:
– Advocate for sustainable public transportation and non-motorised mobility in Lagos.
– Reimagine the use of congested roads by showcasing alternative, community-centered possibilities.
– Raise awareness about the benefits and potential of NMT in enhancing Lagos’ transportation ecosystem.
– Advocate for sustainable public transportation and non-motorised mobility in Lagos.
– Reimagine the use of congested roads by showcasing alternative, community-centered possibilities.
– Raise awareness about the benefits and potential of NMT in enhancing Lagos’ transportation ecosystem.

Key stakeholders and collaborators
The Sustainable Transport Festival is driven by the Lagos Urban Development Initiative in collaboration with various organizations and passionate individuals. They include: Lagos Urban Development Initiative in partnership with other organizations and individuals including, The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), UrbanBetter, Cycology, African Cycling Foundation, FT Cycle Care, MOE +A Architecture (Papa Omotayo), Loving Lagos, Stefanie Adisa-Theuretzbacher amongst others.
- Photo credit: The Let’s Get Lagos Moving team
- Photo credit: The Let’s Get Lagos Moving team
- Photo credit: The Let’s Get Lagos Moving team
- Photo credit: The Let’s Get Lagos Moving team
- Photo credit: The Let’s Get Lagos Moving team
- Photo credit: The Let’s Get Lagos Moving team
- Photo credit: The Let’s Get Lagos Moving team
- Photo credit: The Let’s Get Lagos Moving team