The metro line extension is one of many achievements for Rio in the last several years

From student revolutionary to urbanism secretary, alderman, congressman and today, an activist focused on climate change, Alfredo Sirkis has much to say about the Rio metropolis’ past, present and future. Is he a visionary? He considers himself the “father of Rio bicycle paths,” since he was the person who took the idea to then-mayor Marcello Alencar in 1992. Today we have about 250 miles of paths.

RioRealblog had a thought-provoking conversation with him last week at his downtown office.

Para Rio de Janeiro avançou, mas a crise não vai nos poupar, clique aqui

An experienced politician who’s seen a bit of everything, Sirkis points to many gains for Rio since 2006. But he warns that, even before we get started with the 2016 Olympics, the party is over: “Very soon the state government won’t…