Marco doesn't want better roads. He wants better questions. He posed to the audience that if a genuinely different mobility system is wanted and needed, the starting point has to be questioning the assumptions embedded in the language we use and imagining new vocabulary and framings. 
Marco argued that the words we use to describe movement through cities — "traffic," "flow," "congestion" — don't just describe reality but in fact create a feedback loop that enforces the status quo of our city planning decisions. This language actively shapes public spaces, influencing the streets we build, the policies we write, and how people relate to each other in public space. In short – the language we use reinforces our current car centric spaces but fails to support people centric ones. 

Throughout the lecture, Marco kept the audience lively and engaged, helping to create a genuine two-way conversation that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

While Marco often used cycling as a way to showcase streets that are designed to be more inclusive for people, he argued that the bicycle alone isn't a solution to congestion, especially when it relies on a wider system of car centric design. While this may be true, Marco argued that cycling is a step towards creating more inclusive streets. Streets where children, families and people slow down, have space for social interactions and ultimately create spaces where people can feel a sense of community.

This topic resonates with our Embassy deeply. Our Embassy is a strong advocate for sustainable transport and cycling, and we see it as a core way to reduce emissions and make progress towards our collective climate goals. By sharing expertise, lessons and advice, we hope to be able to the Dutch experience with the public in New Zealand in an honest, practical and positive way.

Marco’s lecture reminded us that the benefits of cycling and people-centric public spaces not only supports climate friendly action, but also has flow on benefits to mental health, social cohesion and creating cities that work for people.

Overall, the evening was a thought-provoking reminder that everyday people can make positive change within their own communities. Marco’s remarks resonated with the crowd in the room and we are looking forward to seeing all the conversations that Marco has inspired.