Renowned NYC Transport Advisor Janette Sadik Khan’s Keynote Speech in Dublin
Dublin City Council and Dublin Town were delighted to host Janette Sadik Khan in November. The renowned transport advisor gave a keynote address attended by city transportation stakeholders and the extended enterprise community.
Janette Sadik Khan led the Transportation Department in New York City (NYC) from 2007-2013 and currently works for Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy established by former NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg that advises city governments around the world on how to improve the quality of life for their residents.
Her talk was very timely as Dublin is transforming the management of its transport and creating a new walk-wheel and cycle network. It was inspiring to hear about her experience in New York and her work in other cities world-wide. During her tenure in New York, she led the creation of Citi Bike and the conversion of approximately 180 acres of former New York City road space for use by bicycles and pedestrians. She explained the process, the challenges, and the ultimate opportunities that giving city space back to people brought.
The previous day, Janette visited Dublin’s recently developed Active Travel infrastructure on a city bike tour with a group of 15 people. The bike tour finished at Capel Street, where Janette discussed the positive impact its pedestrianisation has had on the local area with council officials.
The visit finished the next day with a lunch where Janette and her team met with the deputy lord mayor and council officials to discuss Dublin’s progress in developing a sustainable transport system for the city. There was significant interest in Janette’s visit to Dublin and she gave an interview to RTÉ’s Drive Time later that day.