Non-motorized transport remains trapped in small pilot projects while car ownership accelerates across Asia. How can cities break this cycle and build citywide networks?

This session will provide an overview of the current state of non-motorized transport (NMT) in Asia and will explore how NMT initiatives can be effectively scaled up through ADB-supported projects. It will examine how high-quality NMT investments can strengthen first- and last-mile access to major mass transit systems while improving safety, accessibility, and mobility at the neighborhood level.

Drawing on practical project experience, the session will focus on moving beyond pilots toward integrated, network-based NMT solutions embedded in urban planning and transport systems. Speakers will discuss institutional, design, and financing considerations that enable cities to scale up NMT in a systematic and sustainable manner, delivering inclusive and people-centered mobility outcomes.

The session will provide practical insights into implementation approaches that have proven effective in diverse Asian urban contexts.

By the end of the session, participants will:

1. Understand how NMT can be systematically scaled through policy, planning, and project design.
2. Recognize why integration with mass transit is critical to maximize NMT impact.
3. Evaluate what makes NMT projects successful, inclusive, and replicable in Asian urban contexts.