What if cycling policy wasn’t about bike lanes but about joy, dignity, and connection? In this episode of Challenger Cities, we sit down with Michela Grasso — Italian researcher, urbanist, and co-author of the Urban Cycling Manifesto — to explore how cities can rethink mobility through culture, inclusion, and imagination.
We talk about:
- Why benches might matter more than bike lanes.
- How e-bikes are transforming independence for older riders.
- Mama Agatha’s migrant cycling lessons in Amsterdam.
- Bologna’s 30 km/h revolution — and how small policy shifts save lives.
- Why she’d let children redesign our cities.
Michela’s insights challenge the way we think about cycling and urban design — shifting the focus from infrastructure to experience.
Challenger Cities