Heather Thompson:  

Welcome, Michael and Paul. It’s wonderful to have you both here as we launch ITDP’s 40th anniversary celebrations. Over these past four decades, the world has changed dramatically. Over 55% of the global population now lives in cities. We’ve seen Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems adopted in nearly 200 cities, over 700,000 electric buses hit the roads, and more than 3,000 bike-share systems now operating worldwide. These are milestones we probably didn’t imagine back in 1985. ITDP is proud to have been part of this transformation, shifting the conversation from mere transportation to cleaner air, better access, safer streets, and equal access. 

Countless dedicated individuals and partners have shaped this journey. It’s always a joy to meet leaders worldwide who share that they were once ITDP interns or staff. It speaks volumes about our lasting influence. Michael, let me turn to you first. Many know and love ITDP, but not everyone knows our origin story. Could you tell us a little bit more about it? 

Michael Replogle:

Forty years ago, ITDP emerged from a spirit of activism during a challenging time, not unlike today, when America’s role in the world was being questioned. President Ronald Reagan was involved in an illegal war against Nicaragua. In May 1984, the CIA destroyed Nicaragua’s oil storage facilities, creating a severe transportation crisis. As a bike, environmental, and peace activist, I sought a concrete way to offer an alternative vision. I cold called a friend, Carl, who was a bicycle mechanic in Boston, introduced by John Dowling, a well-known cycle activist from Philadelphia. I suggested, “Why don’t we recycle secondhand bikes to send to Nicaragua, call it Bikes Not Bombs?” He agreed. 

 We organized chapters and, by year-end, sent 100 bikes. Carl went to Nicaragua to set up assembly and repair workshops. We then aimed for a thousand bikes, achieving that by the end of 1985. A pivotal meeting with Mohamed Yunus, who later won a Nobel Prize, sparked the idea of selling bikes on installment to teachers and health workers, using the capital to import new, completely knocked-down bicycles from Asia.  This transformed our effort from recycling into developing a bicycle assembly industry in Nicaragua, which we eventually turned over to the private sector.

In May 1985, we incorporated the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) as an umbrella for Bikes Not Bombs and other campaigns like Mobility Haiti and Bikes for Africa. We also started the campaign for new transportation priorities, which evolved into the Surface Transportation Policy Project and later, Transportation for America. Simultaneously, in 1986, I began writing about sustainable transportation. The Brundtland Commission had reported on sustainable development, but “sustainable transport” wasn’t yet defined.

Having seen seas of bicycles in China, which constituted 90% of trips, I was shocked when a 1984 World Bank report on China’s transport sector dismissed bicycles as backward. I forcefully rejected this, arguing bicycles should be central to sustainable transport, especially for low-income populations. This led to an international letter-writing campaign in 1989, urging the World Bank to change its policies.

By the early 1990s, the Bank was consulting me. We shifted from “throwing rocks from the outside” to working as partners. Then, ITDP strategically moved from logistics-intensive material aid to focusing on institutional and governance transformation. This led to a friendly spin-off of Bikes Not Bombs, which continues to do great work even today. It’s delightful to see how, at forty years, ITDP has become a significant force for a more equitable and sustainable world. 

Heather Thompson:  

Thank you, Michael, for that incredible leap of faith forty years ago and your enduring commitment. It’s fantastic to hear about the genesis of so many influential organizations. We only recently wound down our direct bike provision programs in Africa; it was so deeply embedded in our DNA. And it’s remarkable, as you and I recently discussed at the World Bank, to see them championing ideas they once overlooked.

This includes the importance of investing in cycling infrastructure, a topic on which we recently co-authored a report. We’ve even seen cities in China come full circle, now with hundreds of millions of e-bikes and two-wheelers on the road. Paul, let me turn to you. The world also looked very different when you started with ITDP. What was it like then, and what was your first position?  

Paul Steely White: 

Heather, before I answer, I want to acknowledge how you’ve beautifully carried forward Michael’s founding ethos – that focuses not just on environmental causes, but the profound social and, as Michael put it, spiritual agenda. From my earliest acquaintance, ITDP stood out for its critical mission and its compassionate way of working, showing rather than just telling. That blend of policy and praxis is still vibrant. Michael, we owe you immense gratitude for that moral compass. 

 Regarding your question, Heather, I think I was first a receptionist! I was a graduate student at the Adventure Cycling Association in Missoula, Montana. A copy of the Sustainable Transport Magazine I received blew me away. I started a letter-writing correspondence with a staffer (this was pre-email) asking if I could help raise money for a Bikes for Mozambique project and study it for my thesis.  

She said sure, come to New York. I showed up and was immediately put to work driving a U-Haul, collecting used bikes from Westchester County. It was a staff of two or three then, with Walter Hook as my first boss and a great mentor. He’d tell these mythical stories of the dot matrix printer in Michael’s basement churning out early proposals, held together with a rubber band. That early days’ spirit is still alive under your leadership, Heather. 

Heather Thompson: 

I’m sure you did much more than drive a U-Haul, Paul! We’re so grateful for your long involvement. Michael, you’ve touched on many successes. Could you share one highlight, something you’re exceptionally proud of ITDP accomplishing? 

Michael Replogle:

That’s like choosing a favorite child! But briefly: a quarter-century ago, then CEO Walter Hook, strategized to create a flagship BRT model in every region. A 2003 meeting in Bogotá spotlighting BRT and bikeway successes there led to breakthroughs in cities like Guangzhou, Dar es Salaam, Jakarta, Sao Paulo, and many more. ITDP has its fingerprints on most of the over 200 BRT systems worldwide. 

 Another is ITDP’s central role about 15 years ago in founding the SLoCaT Partnership (Partnership on Sustainable Low-Carbon Transport). This spurred a USD $175 billion, ten-year commitment from the eight largest multilateral development banks for more sustainable transport, starting in 2012. I’m also proud of Mexico’s 2018 parking policy reforms, which will resonate for a long time, and our work reforming national transport financing in Mexico, India, China, Brazil, and elsewhere. This was achieved through patient relationship-building.  

Today, ITDP is a vital catalyst fostering bike-sharing, cycling networks, public transport improvements, public space transformation, electrification, and better data analytics in hundreds of cities, all through best practice guides, training, and on-the-ground technical assistance. 

Heather Thompson:  

Those are fantastic examples – BRT, SLoCaT, and parking reform. It’s classic ITDP: finding a gem of an idea and patiently working it until it achieves significant impact. We’re seeing a real resurgence in BRT interest worldwide, especially with electric buses making it modern and appealing.

And parking, once considered tedious, is now understood by cities as crucial for street management and revenue. Mexico helped put that on the map. I’m particularly proud that, while we three are American, most of our team and partners are from all over the world, leading the work in their local contexts. Paul, what’s a turning point or definitive event in ITDP’s journey that stands out?  

Paul Steely White:

So many! I’ll never forget being on a “barnstorming” tour in Senegal with Enrique Peñalosa around 2002. I felt like I was changing the world just getting Enrique coffee! Many great BRT projects across Africa were seeded on that trip. I must also thank former ITDP Africa Director Chris Kost for his incredible work in Africa. The cycle rickshaw modernization project in India is also close to my heart. We significantly improved those vehicles, making them lighter and more environmentally friendly, helping to bring “old-fashioned” modes back into vogue. 

But I have to speak about my work in New York City. After seven years at ITDP, I led Transportation Alternatives for 14 years, taking the ITDP playbook with me: seeking best practices, building a big tent, and integrating a strong social agenda. Our success there, especially with Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan (a great ITDP partner and board member), set a model for many US cities. Whenever I see a green bike lane, I think its provenance likely traces back to New York. This organization has had a tremendous, hard-to-quantify influence. 

Heather Thompson:  

What distinctive features do you both believe sets ITDP apart from other groups?  

Michael Replogle:  

ITDP has been a “think-do tank.” We don’t just publish excellent research and identify best practices; we roll up our sleeves and figure out how to implement those ideas practically in specific places, then use those successes as scalable examples. It’s that on-the-ground local engagement, connected to political and economic realities and the everyday challenges people face. We’re not elitist; we’re an organization with a heart and soul grounded in getting things done. 

Paul Steely White:  

Michael nailed it! But to add, perhaps more on the policy side: before ITDP, “transportation” reform often meant tailpipe emissions. ITDP has fundamentally changed what “transportation” means. It’s not just about getting from A to B or how the vehicle is powered. It’s about access, land use, economic security, public health, and equity. People didn’t broadly connect these to transportation before, and now they do, mainly because of ITDP’s work. It’s a fantastic transformation for claiming credit.  

Heather Thompson:  

When people think of sustainable transportation now, they often equate it with livability, a testament to that expanded understanding. We are in challenging times. As you both look to the future, what is your vision for ITDP? 

Michael Replogle:  

I hope ITDP will consolidate and scale its achievements in the next several years. Global geopolitics and right-wing populism are headwinds, demanding new fundraising approaches and a strategic focus on strengthening communities and support networks. We must bolster our resilience and continue building cultural support for sustainable transport, perhaps adapting our language to focus on child and mother safety, climate adaptation, or reducing mobility costs. I see growth opportunities in using data, advancing public-private partnerships, and transforming last-mile urban freight, alongside our core competencies.  

Paul Steely White:

Everything Michael said, plus I’d emphasize ITDP’s DNA of empowering partners, visible in the autonomy of our regional offices and our decentralized, resilient international structure.  That’s a model to double down on – collaborative leadership, not command and control. I’m grateful the organization carries that torch of compassion and humanity that Michael founded it with. In a fraught and uncertain world, ITDP is a beacon. That contrast will become even more apparent. 

Heather Thompson:  

Thank you both. It’s true that in times of hardship, sectors and partners can come together more strongly. I see our field becoming more collaborative than ever. And it’s heartening that leadership and progress continue robustly in many parts of the world, offering constant opportunities. Many team members, past and present, and valued partners are joining us today. Thank you for being part of ITDP’s history. This is just the kickoff of our 40th anniversary celebration. Please stay tuned for more events throughout the year, including marking 20 years of the Sustainable Transport Award. 

Michael Replogle:

I’d like to offer a shout-out to all the board and staff, past and present, here today. It takes a village. My initial ideas wouldn’t have materialized without immense collaboration from you and our entire community. Let’s celebrate this strong community. I’m confident we will remain resilient, grow stronger, pass through these darker moments, and enter a brighter day where sustainable transport has an even stronger foundation. Thank you for your engagement.