From skepticism to sparking a mobility revolution, I want to share how I creatively employed cartoons to take on Montevideo’s love affair with cars.

As a new parent dodging traffic in Uruguay’s capital, I was struck by the injustice of car supremacy. Determined to challenge this bias in both laws and attitudes, I launched #MontevideoPacificada – a campaign using satire and creative advocacy to push for pedestrian- and bike-friendly policies.

Through sharp cartoons and strategic media engagement, the campaign forced city officials to confront their blind spots. One cartoon mocked the Director of Mobility, who blamed extreme weather for low bike usage – ignoring policy failures, bike theft, and dangerous infrastructure. Another illustrated the Car Culture Pyramid, exposing how minor privileges (pavement parking, wide roads) escalate into systemic car dominance and road violence.

My ABC of Street Culture manual highlighted everyday absurdities of car bias. The 'Bike Lanes Are Not Car Parking' illustration showed a car blocking a bike lane, forcing cyclists onto the pavement and road – only to be berated by both pedestrians and drivers demanding they "stay in their lane."

These cartoons became a powerful mirror, sparking public debate, igniting outrage, and forcing difficult conversations across social media and urban policy forums.

Backlash was swift. As an outsider, I was told to “fix my own country” before challenging local norms. But by staying calm, presenting fact-based arguments, and persistently challenging car-centric narratives, the campaign helped shift attitudes and policies – from tactical urbanism experiments to new bike lanes along Montevideo’s Rambla and major avenues.

This talk will unpack why cities resist obvious solutions – and how to challenge them. It will show how visual advocacy can drive change, offering practical insights on navigating resistance, building constructive dialogue and applying creative strategies in diverse urban contexts.