Montes de Oca
Mobility, free public spaces of violences and autonomy of women
DURATION: Ongoing since 2023
POPULATION: Montes de Oca: 62,946 (Growth rate 0.54%)
TOPICS: MOBILITY, EMPOWERMENT, PUBLIC SPACE PARTICIPATION, CYCLING, ACCESSIBILITY
URA SCOPE: SOCIETY. Staying Human, STRATEGY. Shared Vision
MAIN ACTORS:Asociación de Movilidad Activa y Sostenible PEDAL
In the streets where daily life unfolds, PEDAL Association is quietly leading a transformation—one that starts with something as simple as a bicycle but extends far beyond. More than an organization, PEDAL is a movement dedicated to empowering women, fostering autonomy, and reshaping urban culture.
For many women, learning to ride a bike is more than mastering balance—it is an act of reclaiming the right to the city. It is the ability to move freely without relying on others, to navigate streets that were not always designed with them in mind, and to break barriers that have long dictated where they belong. PEDAL’s cycling programs do more than teach a skill; they open doors to economic opportunities, improve health, and install a sense of self-reliance. With every ride, women and girls rewrite the narrative of who gets to move through public spaces safely and with dignity.
But mobility is only one part of the story. PEDAL’s work extends into the fabric of daily life, addressing fundamental inequalities through hands-on, community-driven projects. In Santa Ana, Curridabat, Montes de Oca, and Pérez Zeledón, the association has brought together personal defense training, bicycle mechanics, and participatory design workshops
By equipping women with the skills to navigate the urban environment safely, repair their own transportation, and shape public spaces that reflect their needs, PEDAL strengthens entire communities.
One of its most impactful initiatives revives the ancestral knowledge of medicinal and nutritional plants. In a world increasingly disconnected from traditional wisdom, this project restores the value of local expertise, helping women provide for their families’ health and nutrition while fostering environmental stewardship. This knowledge, passed down through generations, is not just preserved—it is transformed into a resource for autonomy and resilience.
PEDAL is not just about teaching—it is about recognizing the strength that already exists within communities and amplifying it. By fostering collective knowledge, supporting sustainable practices, and challenging the status quo, PEDAL proves that real change begins from within.
Every bike ride, every workshop, and every shared lesson builds toward something greater: a future where women move freely, where knowledge is power, and where communities thrive on their own terms. The revolution is already in motion—will you join the ride?
Challenge & Context
Urban areas face mounting challenges as traffic congestion worsens, reducing efficiency and quality of life. In many cities, daily commutes are characterized by long delays, increasing frustration, economic losses, and environmental degradation. The over reliance on private vehicles contributes to excessive carbon emissions, worsening air pollution and accelerating climate change. These issues highlight the urgent need for a shift in urban mobility strategies.
Beyond traffic concerns, public spaces often fail to provide safe and inclusive environments, particularly for women. In many cases, harassment and insecurity limit their ability to move freely, restricting their access to education, employment, and social activities. This lack of safety reinforces inequalities and discourages active participation in public life.
The need for sustainable urban development also extends to social dynamics, where fostering a sense of collective responsibility and civic engagement remains a challenge. Ensuring that all citizens—especially those historically excluded from urban planning discussions—can contribute to shaping their cities is crucial. Without meaningful participation, policies risk being disconnected from the daily realities of those most affected by them. Addressing these issues requires not only infrastructure changes but also cultural and institutional shifts that prioritize sustainability, accessibility, and safety for all.
The Municipality of Montes de Oca has made significant efforts to prioritize cycling infrastructure, recognizing the need to further empower citizens in promoting sustainable mobility.
More than a decade ago, the local government declared Montes de Oca a bike-friendly city, and in recent years, it invested over $200,000—with support from Euroclima—to develop 14 kilometres of bike lanes.
Additionally, national legislation, specifically the Law on Cycling and Safe Mobility (9660), mandates that local governments prioritize pedestrians and cyclists in urban planning.
As a result of these efforts, Montes de Oca was recognized as the national winner of the WWF Cities Challenge 2021-2022 in Latin America, highlighting its commitment to sustainable urban mobility aligned with the Paris Agreement.
The project aims to restructure mobility by improving accessibility and public space organization, reducing traffic-related delays, injuries, and fatalities while lowering carbon emissions and dependence on private vehicles.
The project, approved by the Municipal Council and previously led by Gabriela Cob from the PEDAL Association, has formed partnerships with organizations like Arquitectura en Bicicleta and A Convivir to enhance its impact and technical development.
Solution Proposed
The Municipality of Montes de Oca has made significant efforts to prioritize cycling infrastructure, recognizing the need to further empower citizens in promoting sustainable mobility.
More than a decade ago, the local government declared Montes de Oca a bike-friendly city, and in recent years, it invested over $200,000—with support from Euroclima—to develop 14 kilometres of bike lanes.
Additionally, national legislation, specifically the Law on Cycling and Safe Mobility (9660), mandates that local governments prioritize pedestrians and cyclists in urban planning.
As a result of these efforts, Montes de Oca was recognized as the national winner of the WWF Cities Challenge 2021-2022 in Latin America, highlighting its commitment to sustainable urban mobility aligned with the Paris Agreement.
The project aims to restructure mobility by improving accessibility and public space organization, reducing traffic-related delays, injuries, and fatalities while lowering carbon emissions and dependence on private vehicles.
The project, approved by the Municipal Council and previously led by Gabriela Cob from the PEDAL Association, has formed partnerships with organizations like Arquitectura en Bicicleta and A Convivir to enhance its impact and technical development.
Impact
A series of proposals addressing mobility and safety in public spaces have been developed through participatory workshops in the county of Montes de Oca. These proposals, formulated by workshop participants, were compiled into a report and submitted to the vice mayor’s and mayor’s offices, with the objective of influencing local policy and urban development. In San José, the Colegio Superior de Señoritas high school undertook a similar initiative, presenting a plan to enhance mobility and combat daily street harassment. The document, prepared with institutional and international collaboration—including support from Mujeres en Movimiento—outlines concrete actions for local government intervention.
Key recommendations proposed by students include increased dissemination of women’s rights awareness campaigns, improvements in public transportation, including greater availability, enhanced schedules, and safer, more accessible stops, urban enhancements such as better waste management, increased security, and shaded areas, implementation of organized, safe commuting routes.
A long-term strategy, spanning at least three years, is expected to incorporate broader citizen participation in urban planning. The workshops have fostered a network of engaged women advocating for mobility solutions through cycling. Beyond practical transport benefits, the initiative promotes a critical understanding of public space, encouraging active proposals for improvement. The approach seeks to generate systemic change at the local level, with the potential to expand across regions. Encouraging women to adopt cycling for short distances marks a step toward sustainable, inclusive urban transformation.
As the initiatives are still in their early stages, comprehensive data on their long-term impact remains limited. However, the expectations are significant. The proposals have laid the groundwork for structural improvements in mobility and public safety, and the engagement of local authorities suggests a growing institutional commitment. Over time, these actions are expected to foster safer, more inclusive urban environments, encouraging more women to confidently navigate public spaces and adopt cycling as a viable mode of transport.
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