Last month, the Institute for Transportation Policy and Development (ITDP) partnered with artist, musician and former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne to raise awareness for sustainable transport in Latin American cities. In an 18-day, nine-city tour, Byrne took the stage and had lively discussions with local leaders, cycling advocates and urban planners.

David Byrne is an avid cyclist, relying on his bicycle as a primary mode of transport. In fact, he’s been riding his bicycle around New York City since the early 1980s. He has even designed bike racks representing different neighborhoods in New York City. Inspired by the freedom and the exhilaration cycling gives him, Byrne released “Bicycle Diaries” in 2009, chronicling his observations as he rides his bike and engages with some of the world’s major cities, like Istanbul and Buenos Aires.

Along with the tour, ITDP also kicked-off its “5% for Bikes” campaign, an effort to urge mayors from across Latin America to dedicate five percent of the city’s transportation budget to infrastructure, promotion and policy changes that will create bicycle-friendly communities. This effort is to encourage more people to use bicycles as transportation.

The tour began on July 10 in Paraty, Brazil and travelled to Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Mexico.

Click here to learn more about 5% for Bikes.

Watch David Byrne discuss his experience with New York City’s biking infrastructure.