Bloomberg Center Hosts Leading Road Safety Organizations for Key Events

In March 2024, world-recognized organizations convened at the Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C., to engage in discussions covering various facets of road safety. The Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU) was thrilled to host one of these sessions and to contribute to another hosted by esteemed colleagues. 

Rethinking Powered Two- and Three-Wheelers (PTWs) Safety and their Role in Sustainable Mobility 

The World Health Organization (WHO) and JH-IIRU jointly hosted the ‘Rethinking Powered Two- and Three-Wheelers (PTWs) Safety and their Role in Sustainable Mobility’ on March 18. The session was held as a side event for the Transforming Transportation conference, and it brought together leading road safety stakeholders from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), the World Resources Institute (WRI), the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI), and Jalisco’s Ministry of Transport. 

Moderated by the WHO’s Head of Safety and Mobility, Nhan Tran, and JH-IIRU's Director, Dr. Abdul Bachani, discussions centered around current PTWs trends, challenges, gaps in evidence, research needs, child safety, and the involvement of the private sector. Attendees enriched the discussions with valuable insights, incorporating data and context from their respective countries. 

Mobilizing for Impact: Alliances to Achieve the UN Global Road Safety Goals  

On March 21, JH-IIRU joined the FIA Foundation, the Child Health Initiative, and the Johns Hopkins Center of Injury Research and Policy for the ‘Mobilizing for Impact: Alliances to Achieve the UN Global Road Safety Goals’ event. The gathering’s discourse highlighted child safety and the impact that corporate social responsibility generates when concrete, evidence-based action is taken.  

The event gathered leading minds and institutions in road safety, including the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), the National Center for Safe Routes to School, Amend, Families for Safer Streets, and the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP).  

Dr. Abdul Bachani wrapped up the event by urging organizations involved in road safety, as well as those aspiring to contribute, to adopt the Safe System approach, move beyond “shopping lists” of what works, and develop a better understanding of how to effect change. Emphasizing the relevance of cross-organizational learning, he underscored the importance of collective efforts in advancing road safety initiatives.