With dance steps, Moldovans have called for accessible infrastructure through the #ThisIsMyStreet campaign
Road safety activists in Moldova, along with various road users and emergency service professionals, took part in a series of flash mobs to support the global #ThisIsMyStreet campaign. Their actions sent a strong message to national authorities: make infrastructure safer and more accessible for everyone, and promote mutual respect among all those who share the road.
To make this happen while following the strict COVID-19 safety guidelines, the local partner, the Automobile Club of Moldova (ACM), had to find creative solutions.
“The flash mobs we organized had a double purpose. First, we wanted to alert the authorities of the dire need to take into account the accessibility standards when planning, repairing and building streets because the infrastructure is in a very bad shape all over the country. Secondly, we aimed to bring a smile and a ray of hope to Moldovan people who were holed up in their homes for the most part of the year because of pandemic. That is why we opted for a dance flash mob. And we ensured our volunteers and partners with protective gear, we made sure the safe distance was maintained and we only organized small groups of up to six people to participate in the flash mob. Everybody had a lot of fun and we hope to further promote the #ThisIsMyStreet message and flash mob in a safe way”, explained the project manager of ACM Tatiana Mihailova.
“I have two kids and it is a pain to walk anywhere in the city with a baby stroller or to ride a bicycle with them. The sidewalks are practically nonexistent because of their state of ruin or cars parked everywhere; there are no functional bike lanes and we need to do something about it. Especially in this pandemic we get out rarely and I would like to have functional and accessible streets for me and my kids”, said one of the flash mob participants.
The flash mob dance was published by ACM on social networks and already gathered 24,000 views and engagements only on Automobile Club of Moldova pages.
The campaign financially supported by Federation Internationale de l'Automobile and FIA Foundation is also promoted by the National Inspectorate of Public Safety, General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, Oratorul Young Talents Theater, Center for the Rights of People with Disabilities, Federation of Blind Athletes of Moldova, Motivation Association, Association of the Blind of Moldova, Ecovisio, Working Group for Alternative Transport, Breastfeeding Mother Project, Minerva High School, Alternativa Dance Academy, and Capsoonel Art Event.
