Transition Readiness Program (TRP) for Sustainable Mobility
You may be familiar with Bogotá’s Bus Rapid Transit system, Barcelona’s Superblocks, New York City’s transformation of Times Square, or Amsterdam’s decades-long investment in cycling infrastructure. These cities offer powerful examples of how bold leadership and strategic planning can reshape urban mobility. But how did they get there and what can other cities learn from their journeys?
The Transition Readiness Program (TRP) designed by Urban Cycling Institute, is a guided, action-oriented initiative that helps cities accelerate their shift toward sustainable, people-centred mobility. The program strengthens the capacity of local governments by combining peer exchange, expert support, and real-world experience to build healthier, more resilient cities.
This program is designed for capacity building at the local and regional level, for policy and technical staff who work on mobility. From the start, our team works directly with a local or regional authority as a first contact point. Together, we map the political and stakeholder landscape. Throughout the phases, we identify which other stakeholders participate.
Key Benefits of the Program
- Identify and align diverse stakeholders
- Gain first-hand knowledge and experience of mobility transitions
- Better understand how to influence policy in your city and region
- Develop long-term, actionable goals
About the Program
The Transition Readiness Program (TRP) empowers cities to take bold steps toward sustainable, people-centred mobility. Through immersive city-to-city visits, expert guidance, and hands-on learning, participants dive into world-class examples of walkable, bike-friendly cities. This isn’t theory, it’s transformation in action. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to scale, this program helps cities identify strategies to make urban mobility healthier, fairer, and more resilient.
Who can apply?
Whether you’re a technician shaping infrastructure, a policymaker driving change, or an advocate pushing for better mobility solutions, this is your opportunity to engage with experts, share insights, and experience best practices firsthand. The TRP works for cities of any size or type, regardless of their starting point.
How will my city benefit?
As a participant in the Transition Readiness Program, you won’t just hear about successful mobility transitions, you will experience the following firsthand:
- Interacting with your team through expert discussions and immersive experiences
- Reinforcing cohesion among mobility experts in the participant city
- Building strategic capacity for sustainable mobility policy
- Experiencing new mobility cultures and best practices
- Receiving a tailored report from the Urban Cycling Institute
- Networking with other cities and officials
- Disseminating visit insights and learnings on the Urban Cycling Institute’s media
What participants say about the program
Program Design
One round of the Transition Readiness Program lasts about 6 months: a two-month pre-visit preparation phase with research and interviews, followed by two study visits (one in Amsterdam or another host city and one in the participant city), and concludes with a two-month wrap-up phase, including a final report with tailored recommendations. The program also explores opportunities to share findings at public events or through academic publications.
Building capacity through collaborative learning
The main component of the TRP journey is the study visits. Each program round typically consists of two study trips to different cities, organized as an exchange. Each visit spans two to three days, during which your team, composed of city leaders, planners, and mobility advocates, engages in immersive learning experiences.
Part 1:
Visit to the Netherlands – Experience world-class cycling infrastructure and policymaking in action
Part 2:
Visit to a Participant City – Explore how mobility transitions are unfolding in a local contect and receive expert recommendations
Study visits systematically include a combination of:
- Align diverse stakeholders
- Gain first-hand mobility insights
- Learn to influence local policy
- Set long-term, actionable goals
Participating Cities
More than 150 city officials involved across 8 municipalities in Europe.
Insights from the Program
Over the past five years, the Urban Cycling Institute has built significant expertise in coordinating, organizing, and facilitating study visit exchanges among cities, with collaborations spanning educational institutions, independent planners, and city officials. Meredith Glaser has personally studied over a hundred of these exchanges as part of her PhD, further contributing to the program’s depth and impact.
Notable past collaborations include Pula, in Croatia, the Communauté d’Agglomération d’Épinal in the Vosges, France, with detailed articles on Part 1 and Part 2 of the program, and more recently, the municipality of Bern, which is developing its own study visit hosting competency.
Navigating Rural Territories’ Transition to Cycling
How immersive learning creates mental shifts for policymakers from rural France
Maximizing Learning Through Study Visits: Insights From The Swiss Cycling Capital
Moving Pula towards a cycling city
How much does it cost to participate?
The cost varies depending on the specifics of your city’s involvement. Please contact us for detailed pricing information. If needed, reach out to us and we can brainstorm ways to secure
funding.
What are the benefits of participating?
As a participant in the TRP, you won’t just hear about successful mobility transitions, you will
experience them firsthand through a blend of immersive learning, expert-led discussions, and
hands-on experience in leading cycling cities.
By taking part in the program, you will benefit
from:
- Convincing your team through expert discussions and immersive experiences
- Reinforcing cohesion among mobility experts in the participant city
- Building strategic capacity for sustainable mobility policy
- Experiencing new mobility cultures and experiencing best practices
- Receiving a tailored report with best practices from the Urban Cycling Institute
- Media coverage through blog and Substack articles, LinkedIn posts by Urban Cycling Institute
Does our city need to have a mobility plan in place before applying for the TRP?
No, your city does not need to have a plan in place before applying. The TRP is designed to support cities at any stage of their mobility transition. We’re here to provide you guidance along the way!
Is the program suitable for cities with differentlevels of cycling infrastructure?
Yes! The TRP works for cities of any size or type, regardless of their starting point. The report you will receive will identify barriers and provide tailored strategies to help accelerate sustainable mobility efforts in your city.
Can multiple representatives from a city join?
Of course, multiple representatives from a city can participate, allowing for diverse perspectives and collaboration within your team!
What does hosting imply?
Hosting includes organizing activities, such as guided study tours around the city, showcasing
cycling infrastructure and policies. As a host city, you will also need to ensure that public bikes are
available for bike rentals, allowing participants to actively experience the city’s cycling
environment during the tour. Additionally, you’ll need to arrange room facilities for discussions, where participants and experts can share insights and exchange ideas. You will collaborate with the Urban Cycling Institute to facilitate these discussions and provide local expertise.
How do I know if my team is eligible?
Are you city leaders, planners, or mobility advocateslooking to transform urban mobility?
Do you want to understand how the best examples of cycling infrastructure came to be and experience them yourself?
Do you want to bring actionable solutions back to your city to propel it toward sustainable, people-centered mobility?
If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, then you are very welcome to take part.
When are applications open?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so you can submit the application form any time of the year, but please allow at least 2 months of preparation time before the first study visit.
What if a team member can’t ride a bike?
We strive to make our study visits accessible to everyone. Alternative options are available for
participants with special needs, and although participation is highly encouraged, no bike ride is
mandatory. However, if learning how to ride is at stake, the best approach is to get on the saddle!
We can plan a practice session before heading out on the road to ensure a confident ride.
What languages are used in the program?
The program is conducted in English, but translation or interpretation services can be arranged as needed.
FAQ
Timeline Deadline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but please allow at least 2 months of preparation time before the first study visit.
Have a question?
write to [email protected]
