Bus rapid transit (BRT) has been widely adopted in emerging economies for its affordability and incremental implementation potential. Yet, many cities…

Cities are often at the forefront of creative thinking on policy opportunities; this Perspective outlines an agenda for urban health research that promotes a virtuous cycle by which population health ...

175 likes, 13 comments - transmilenio on November 12, 2025: "🚇🌆 Bogotá fue sede del Comité de Metros de la UITP, un espacio donde expertos internacionales conocieron los avances de nuestra ciudad haci...

Achieving sustainable transport systems and travel behaviours is proving problematic in many cities, including contestation over strategies and projects. Discourses on Sustainable Urban Mobility chall...

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has predominantly been implemented in major urban areas worldwide, but interest is growing in its application within small and…

Transit-oriented development (TOD) has become a central strategy of local governments to reshape land-use planning and spatial structure. However, cooperations on effectively implementing TOD betwe...

This study examines Bogotá’s transition to sustainable transport through its integrated public transit system. In 2012, over a decade after introducin…

People will take buses and trains only if they feel safe while riding them.

Gridlock is costing us billions, but bold solutions like bus-only lanes, congestion charges and flexible work hours could get cities moving again

Background Motorcyclists are the fastest growing road user group in Latin America, and account for 25% of all road traffic collision deaths. This study examines the relationship between motorcyclist mortality and the built and social urban environment in Latin American cities. Methods We studied 337 cities with ≥ 100,000 inhabitants in seven Latin American countries. Mortality data from 2010 to 2019 were obtained from civil registries and linked to cities defined by the SALURBAL project. Motorcyclist deaths were identified using ICD-10 codes, with redistribution of ill-defined codes. City-level measures included population, urban development, street design, public transportation, and social environment. Associations were estimated using multilevel negative binomial models. A subanalysis of 300 cities with motorcycle registration data was conducted. Results The crude city-level motorcyclist mortality rate was 4.16 per 100,000 population. Age-standardized rates varied from 0.51 to 22.60. Males had higher mortality rates, with the highest rates in 20-24-year-olds. After adjustment, cities with higher population density (RR 0.92 [95% CI 0.85–1.00]), intersection density (RR 0.91 [95% CI 0.83–0.99]), and social environment index (RR 0.88 [95% CI 0.83–0.93]) had lower motorcyclist mortality. More curvilinear street layout (RR 0.97 [95% CI 0.90,1.03]) and the presence of public transportation (RR 0.94 [95% CI 0.87,1.03]) showed a non-significant association with mortality. Higher urban development isolation (RR 1.07 [95% CI 1.00–1.14]) was associated with higher mortality, but the association weakened after adjustment. In cities with motorcycle registration data, higher rates of registered motorcycles were associated with higher motorcyclist mortality. Conclusion Motorcyclist road traffic deaths in Latin American cities are associated with specific city-level characteristics. In fully adjusted models, higher intersection density and a stronger social environment index were linked to lower mortality rates. City-level interventions that improve street connectivity, promote safer and more cohesive urban environments, and address social inequities in infrastructure and services may help reduce motorcycle deaths and enhance road safety in the region.

Background Motorcyclists are the fastest growing road user group in Latin America, and account for 25% of all road traffic collision deaths. This study examines the relationship between motorcyclist mortality and the built and social urban environment in Latin American cities. Methods We studied 337 cities with ≥ 100,000 inhabitants in seven Latin American countries. Mortality data from 2010 to 2019 were obtained from civil registries and linked to cities defined by the SALURBAL project. Motorcyclist deaths were identified using ICD-10 codes, with redistribution of ill-defined codes. City-level measures included population, urban development, street design, public transportation, and social environment. Associations were estimated using multilevel negative binomial models. A subanalysis of 300 cities with motorcycle registration data was conducted. Results The crude city-level motorcyclist mortality rate was 4.16 per 100,000 population. Age-standardized rates varied from 0.51 to 22.60. Males had higher mortality rates, with the highest rates in 20-24-year-olds. After adjustment, cities with higher population density (RR 0.92 [95% CI 0.85–1.00]), intersection density (RR 0.91 [95% CI 0.83–0.99]), and social environment index (RR 0.88 [95% CI 0.83–0.93]) had lower motorcyclist mortality. More curvilinear street layout (RR 0.97 [95% CI 0.90,1.03]) and the presence of public transportation (RR 0.94 [95% CI 0.87,1.03]) showed a non-significant association with mortality. Higher urban development isolation (RR 1.07 [95% CI 1.00–1.14]) was associated with higher mortality, but the association weakened after adjustment. In cities with motorcycle registration data, higher rates of registered motorcycles were associated with higher motorcyclist mortality. Conclusion Motorcyclist road traffic deaths in Latin American cities are associated with specific city-level characteristics. In fully adjusted models, higher intersection density and a stronger social environment index were linked to lower mortality rates. City-level interventions that improve street connectivity, promote safer and more cohesive urban environments, and address social inequities in infrastructure and services may help reduce motorcycle deaths and enhance road safety in the region.

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