Dr. Bridget Doran

Bridget has been working on systemic change in transport, inclusion and sustainability for over twenty years. She is a leading transport engineer and researcher based in New Zealand, known for her passionate advocacy for inclusive, sustainable mobility. With a background in civil and transportation engineering and a PhD in cognitive psychology, Bridget brings a unique interdisciplinary lens to transport planning—one that centres human behaviour, equity, and system change.

Her work promoting the voices of disabled people in transport practice has led to Bridget being a trusted advisor and researcher on inclusion in transport and public spaces. Bridget has vast national and international networks of specialists from academia, practice, and advocacy in disability and transport. She has spoken at a range of international forums on the economics, design, and broader system challenges of promoting more accessible streets and places.

Working previously across a range of consultancies, Bridget has experience working for both public and private sectors, contributing to policy, design, and research projects that challenge conventional transport planning and engineering to deliver better outcomes. Her work emphasizes walkability, accessibility, and the biophysical limits of the planet, aiming to reshape transport systems for a survivable and joyful future.

Bridget’s interest in how transport practitioners think and behave drives her efforts to shift professional norms and promote ethical accountability. She has served as Chair of Engineering New Zealand’s Transportation Group and regularly speaks at national forums, webinars, and community events, urging professionals to consider the ethical consequences of their decisions.

A vocal champion of walking and cycling, Bridget sees these modes not just as alternatives, but as vital components of healthy, resilient communities. Her writing and public commentary reflect a deep commitment to systemic change, and she’s part of global networks promoting walkability and sustainable urbanism. Bridget is a Chartered Engineer with experience working in a range of jurisdictions.