E. Velasco
We live in cities where urban design has prioritized motorized vehicles for decades, causing suffering to other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, due to narrow, unsafe, or simply nonexistent spaces. Consequently, this situation has generated multiple problems: traffic congestion, increased road accidents, air pollution, and the exclusion of vulnerable groups. Given this situation, it is considered important to change the way we perceive mobility, promoting a safer and more equitable road culture. One of the most relevant approaches in this transformation is the mobility pyramid, defined as a conceptual tool that prioritizes public space users based on their vulnerability and contribution to urban mobility.
This project seeks to promote knowledge, understanding, and application of this mobility hierarchy from an early age, prioritizing vulnerable people, such as those who travel on foot, by bicycle, or using public transportation. It also highlights the importance of building environments where everyone has the right to travel safely and with dignity. The project was implemented with students from the "Héroes de la Independencia" elementary school in the State of Mexico. The methodology consisted of three stages: an initial assessment of students' prior knowledge about mobility; a second stage included the implementation of posters and recreational and educational activities tailored to their age, such as role-playing games and guided drawings; and, finally, a third stage consisted of a practical assessment based on what they had learned.
As a result, through the use of graphic images, dynamic participation, and educational resources, the students not only learned and perceived the mobility pyramid, but also reflected on the crucial role they play in public spaces. The objective was met, as they showed a significant improvement in their understanding of the road hierarchy, as well as greater respect and empathy for the most vulnerable users. Furthermore, this type of initiative is considered to impact not only the school environment but also the family and community, generating conversations at home and more responsible attitudes toward the use of urban space.
The approach is, in general, clear, as it seeks to contribute to the development of current and future generations who are more responsible, aware, and committed to building safer, more inclusive, and more humane cities, where mobility is not understood solely as a privilege of the automobile, but as a shared right.
Keywords: Mobility pyramid, public space, vulnerable users, safe cities, road culture.