The research on sustainable peri-urban mobility examines how travel purposes and perceptions of destinations affect local development activism. The study aimed to identify the main issues holding back local activism and develop emotional themes. It involved interviewing seven influential figures at a sustainability and activism forum hosted by a public university in central Mexico from January to July 2024. The results showed that neutral emotions were prevalent, indicating a lack of active mobilization. Given the prevalence of frustration and aggression in current affairs, expanding the study to include opinions and emotions related to resource mobilization and developing new identities is recommended.