Mexico City, September 22, 2025. World Car-Free Day invites cities to see themselves through the eyes of those already traveling without a car—on foot, by bicycle, and by public transport. New findings from the Road Safety Perception Survey conducted by Aleatica Foundation for Road Safety, SIMO Consulting, and the Institute of Traffic and Road Safety (INTRAS) at the University of Valencia offer a snapshot of this reality, with a focus on youth (18–29).
Key findings
● Young people are moving beyond the car. Among daily car users, only 16.9% are young people. Among those who do not use a car regularly, youth presence is higher: 32% among frequent public-transport users, 24.4% among pedestrians, and 24.2% among cyclists.
● More diverse, active, and flexible trips. These figures confirm that youth concentrate their daily mobility in non-car modes, combining walking, cycling, and public transport.
How safe do they feel when they move without a car?
● Low perceived safety for active modes. Only 26.2% of young people report feeling completely safe when walking or cycling.
● Public transport perception also lags. Just 28.5% say they feel fully safe on public transport.
● Risk feels present on every trip. Six in ten young people consider it moderately or highly likely that they will be involved in a road-traffic crash while walking.
Calling for “less car use” without first ensuring safe conditions for those already traveling without one is inconsistent. Priority must be to protect vulnerable road users and make the city more livable for them, in line with Safe System principles.
Immediate priorities for car-free, people-first cities
● Continuous, protected walking and cycling networks: unobstructed sidewalks, adequate lighting, safe crossings, traffic-calmed intersections, and connected, protected cycle lanes.
● Dignified and predictable public transport: reliable headways, universal accessibility, safety at stops and stations, and seamless integration with pedestrian spaces and cycle networks.
● Speed management and people-centred street design: especially in school zones and high-footfall areas; continue and scale tactical urbanism projects.
● Data and transparency: continuous measurement of risk and perceived safety to adjust policies and guide investment toward the safe infrastructure required.
World Car-Free Day is more than a symbol—it outlines a concrete agenda for people who do not use a car, especially youth who already choose, or need, to move on foot, by bike, or on public transport. Today, their journeys are not safe enough. Correcting this is the essential step toward mobility that truly moves beyond car dependency.
We Are Road Safety.
