5 Minutes with Ramón Reyes

Intertraffic: Can you briefly introduce yourself and explain your current role in the mobility industry? How did your career path lead you to this position?

Ramón Reyes: I graduated from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Superior de Comercio y Administración, Santo Tomás Unit, in 2006, and I have specialized studies in Transportation Engineering, which has given me a strong foundation in mobility system planning and management. Currently, I am part of the Government of Mexico City, where I play a key role in the Ministry of Mobility, focusing on road safety and urban mobility projects. My primary role is to lead and promote initiatives that foster a culture of road safety, reduce traffic incidents, and improve the experience of all public spaces users, from pedestrians to motor vehicle drivers.

My professional journey led me to this position through over two decades of experience in the public sector. Since 2002, I have collaborated with the Government of Mexico City on risk management, mobility, and road safety projects, starting in roles that allowed me to combine hands-on learning with my academic background. From 2019 to 2024, I actively participated in the design and implementation of the Sistema Fotocívicas, an innovative program that uses educational sanctions to foster civic responsibility, as well as in the creation of A1 and A2 driver’s licenses, ensuring that drivers are better prepared. Additionally, I have developed workshops, assessments, and campaigns targeted at road users and contributed to international projects that have allowed me to incorporate global best practices into our local context.

This journey, combined with my involvement in high-impact initiatives and my focus on comprehensive solutions, has positioned me as a key player in the mobility industry in Mexico City, where I continue working to establish the capital as a benchmark in road safety and sustainability.

Intertraffic: What key developments in the mobility industry have most influenced your work and approach? Can you share any specific experiences that shaped your perspective on transportation?

Ramón Reyes: One of the key developments in the mobility industry that has most influenced my work and approach is the behavioural change promoted through an educational approach to enforcement. I have observed that when people receive specific and practical knowledge about responsible road use, the results are significantly positive. This principle, which prioritizes education over mere sanctions, has shaped my approach to road safety, emphasizing strategies that empower users to make informed and safe decisions.

A specific experience that has shaped my perspective on transportation is the implementation of in-person workshops we have developed in Mexico City. In these workshops, drivers of public and private transport vehicles interact directly with other road users, such as cyclists, and share their experiences. The goal is to educate participants about the importance of a shared, safe, and respectful use of public space. Seeing firsthand how these encounters generate empathy and change perceptions among different road users has convinced me that education and dialogue are fundamental tools for transforming the transportation culture in a city as complex as this one.

Intertraffic: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the mobility sector today, particularly in the Americas, and how are you working to address them?

Ramón Reyes: One of the biggest challenges in the mobility sector today, particularly in the Americas, is the significant increase in motorcycle use, driven by their easy accessibility. This raises the challenge of ensuring that riders are adequately trained to navigate the complexity of cities in our region. In Mexico City, we are addressing this challenge through the implementation of a certification endorsed by the Ministry of Public Education. This effort represents a significant progress in public policy, as it raises the standards of road training and ensures that motorcyclists possess the necessary skills to ride safely, thereby reducing the risk of traffic incidents.

Another important challenge is the emergence of electromobility, especially with the considerable increase in electric bicycles and scooters on the streets. This growth requires precise regulation that considers the needs of these new users, as well as the mandatory use of appropriate protective equipment, such as helmets and reflective elements. To address this, we are developing specific regulations that promote safety and coexistence among all road users while fostering infrastructure that supports this transition toward more sustainable transportation modes. These actions seek to balance innovation and safety in an ever-evolving urban context.

Intertraffic: Looking ahead, what innovations or technologies do you believe will have the greatest impact on the future of urban mobility?

Ramón Reyes: Looking ahead, I believe the most impactful innovations  in urban mobility will be those that combine advanced technology with a focus on safety and efficiency. Specifically, the use of intelligent systems such as radar and monitoring cameras will play a transformative role. These tools not only help us better understand driver behaviour but also identify opportunities to optimize traffic flow and reduce traffic incidents, something essential in dense and complex cities.

Intertraffic: How do you see the integration of sustainability and technology evolving in the mobility sector? Are there any emerging trends you’re particularly excited about?

Ramón Reyes: Regarding the integration of sustainability and technology, I see a clear evolution toward cleaner and more efficient transportation. Cities need to move toward scenarios where technology enables safer and more eco-friendly travel for users, such as the promotion of electric vehicles and well-regulated micromobility systems. One trend that particularly excites me is the use of radar and cameras not just for surveillance but as a basis for predictive analysis that anticipates risks and improves urban planning. This convergence of data, safety, and sustainability has the potential to revolutionize how we manage mobility.

Intertraffic: What role do collaboration and partnerships play in advancing mobility solutions, and how can stakeholders across industries work together to drive positive change?

Ramón Reyes: On collaboration, I strongly believe that partnerships across sectors to advancing comprehensive solutions. The combination of experiences, both successes and lessons learned, provides valuable knowledge for policymakers, developing programs, and making decisions. Stakeholders from all industries, from governments to tech companies and civil society organizations, can work together by sharing data, aligning objectives, and developing pilot projects to test innovative solutions. This collaborative approach is key to driving positive and sustainable change in urban mobility.

Intertraffic: As a leader in the mobility industry, what advice would you give to emerging professionals looking to make an impact in this rapidly evolving field?

Ramón Reyes: As a leader in the mobility industry, my advice for emerging professionals is to base their decisions on rigorous data analysis, as constant measurement and evaluation are crucial  for  developing effective and sustainable ideas. Data not only provides a solid foundation for decision-making but also helps identify patterns and areas for improvement in such a dynamic field. Additionally, I would encourage them to share experiences and actively collaborate with organizations or countries facing similar challenges. This exchange fosters innovative solutions and accelerates collective learning, something I have witnessed firsthand in my own career.

Intertraffic: Finally, what are your key priorities for the future of transportation, and how do you envision the mobility landscape evolving in the next five to ten years?

Ramón Reyes: My top priorities for the future of transportation are the integration of clean energy, the strengthening of well-designed regulations, and, most importantly, the continuous education and training of road users. Over the next five to ten years, I envision an urban mobility landscape with significant advancements in these areas: broader adoption of electric vehicles and micromobility systems, supported by more adaptive infrastructure and clear regulations that ensure their safe use. However, the ongoing challenge will be to fostering a strong road safety culture, where new users, from motorcyclists to electric scooter riders, are fully trained and aware of their responsibilities. During this period, I expect technology, such as intelligent monitoring systems, and education to converge to reduce incidents and make mobility a pillar of sustainability and safety in our cities.