Global Youth Coalition Member Feature: Lianna Licona de Spirito

1. Where are you connected right now? Tell us about the work you're doing.
I am in Panamá working on our principal project, Biciescuela. We teach children how to ride bikes safely and make sure they know more about road safety. As citizens of Panamá, we don't often get information about road safety. We only learn about it when we turn 18 years old, the age where we can get the driver's license. 

2. How did you first get involved in road safety and how long have you been working in the road safety and sustainable mobility field? 
I got involved in road safety in the worst way. My sister Monica was killed in September 2015 by a driver when she was bike training with me for a tournament. I've been raising my voice ever since to protect everyone from getting involved in a tragic car crash. 

3. Can you tell us a little about your area's road safety and sustainable mobility situation? 
My team and I teach children and adults to ride a bike properly. We prepare them for the road with speeches and games, we make road safety fun. We show them the benefits and explain to them (children and their parents) the importance of this issue, from learning to ride a bike, using a helmet, the correct sighs, and being respectful and tolerant.

4. Why do you think it's important to include young people in local and global road safety efforts?
Because young people are the future. We are working in a campaign where we recruit young people to work and speak for road safety in Panamá and Iberoamerica. It is crucial that we (who have more time) raise our voice and work to see (and be) the change. 

5. Are there any other updates on your work you would like to share? 
I am nothing without my team.  We need to surround ourselves with people that really care about their future.

6. Why did you join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety? 
I joined the Youth Coalition because I feel seen and included. I also want to learn from others so I can make Panama a better place to live without traffic risks. 

7. What are your comments on the Youth Coalition? Its activities? Its opportunities? 
I think we need to get out more, not everything can be ONLINE. Maybe more meetings or forming groups in nearby countries to meet and work. I want to know if there are others from Panama in the Global Youth Coalition or if it's only me. 

8. Any messages for people who have not yet joined the Youth Coalition? 
YES! the more we are, the better we work. 

Lianna Licona de Spirito is from Panamá. She is an Industrial engineer, president of Fundación Monica Licona, vice president of Panamá en Bici, and vocal in Federación Iberoamericana de Víctimas Contra la Violencia Vial (FICVI).

“I am here to make a change, I want a better place to live for everyone that I care for and because I can't stand another dead cyclist.”