Active Towns

In this episode, I reconnect with Mark Wagenbuur the creative genius behind the BicycleDutch YouTube Channel and blog. Mark has a unique perspective on the transformation of The Netherlands into the most bicycle-friendly country in the world because he has lived through and documented these changes over time. Video version of this episode Show Notes: Driven by a passion to share the positive stori...

In this episode, I connect with Tatiana Sales Lust for a discussion about what it was like to learn how to ride a bike as an adult, how e-assist has given her confidence to ride more, and how game-changing it is to have access to a network of safe facilities as well as an e-cargo bike to haul real stuff on a daily basis. Video version of this episode Tatiana Sales Lust has an exciting and inspirin...

In this episode, I welcome back Jason Slaughter, the creative genius behind the fantastic Not Just Bikes YouTube Channel, for deep dive into understanding the "hidden secret" behind the success of the Dutch mobility networks. Video for this Episode - first released as a special Holiday bonus video in December Jason Slaughter with Not Just Bikes in Amsterdam chats with me about how the Dutch have c...

In this episode, I connect with Scott Epstein a candidate for Los Angeles City Council District 5 for a discussion about his vision for a more livable Los Angeles. Video for this episode The other day my good friend Josh Paget of the Better Cities Film Festival (formerly known as the New Urbanism Film Fest) reached out and said 'you have got to interview my buddy Scott, he's passionate about citie...

In this episode, I'm honored to welcome Dr. Richard J (Dick) Jackson to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about designing healthy communities, the urgency of addressing the climate emergency, especially in the medical industry, and what has him optimistic for the future. Video version of the episode We are faced with major challenges on multiple fronts, a climate emergency, an obesity ep...

In this episode, I connect with Megan Ramey, a mom and safer street advocate in Hood River, OR for a conversation about what it takes to make a difference on the street at a community level.   Access the video here I am asked all the time by listeners and viewers of this podcast, 'how can I make a difference and effect change in my community?' My answer is to engage with your neighbors, find a kin...

In this episode, I connect with Tim Gill, author of the book, Urban Playground: How Child-Friendly Planning and Design Can Save Cities for a discussion about this radical yet simple planning and design concept, and we discuss why this needs to happen and how to go about doing it. Link to the video of this episode and to the landing page for photos What if most of our public realm was a collection...

In this episode, I welcome Peter Norton back to the Pod for a conversation about his new book Autonorama: The Illusory Promise of High-Tech Driving and what we, as a society, really want our future to look like. In Autonorama: The Illusory Promise of High-Tech Driving, technology historian Peter Norton argues that driverless cars cannot be the safe, sustainable, and inclusive “mobility solutions”...

In this episode, I reconnect with Dutch Mobility Network Design: Lennart Nout with Mobycon and he likes to say the "Devil is in the Details" when it comes to creating "All Ages & Abilities" active mobility networks that not only encourage users to walk, cycle, and take transit more often but also to prompt motor vehicle drivers to drive slower with patience and attentiveness. - Video Link: Get...

In this episode, I reconnect with Vancouver, BC's Transportation Planning Manager, Dale Bracewell, for a discussion about how an "All Ages & Abilities" active mobility network, school streets, and other TDM programs, as well as pricing access to the city core all, plays a critical role in the city. This episode is available in a visually rich video format , which is highly recommended. Episode...

In this episode, I connect with Sarah Abel, an architect, and planner who has become a subject matter expert in complete streets design and promotion and has focussed in recent years on bringing the Safe Systems Approach into sharp focus for cities here in North America. Traveling to meaningful destinations should not be a dangerous activity where you risk serious injury or worse, however, increas...

In this episode, I return (virtually) to Delft in The Netherlands to connect with Natalia Barbour, Assistant Professor in transport and energy at TU Delft, and we have a wide-ranging discussion about her background and work, what it was like to make the move from Florida to The Netherlands, and how she and the family are adjusting to basically a car-free lifestyle after previously being car-depend...

In this, our 100th episode, I am delighted to welcome a very special guest, Clarence Eckerson, Director of Streetfilms, for a discussion about reaching the milestone of 1,000 plus videos promoting more walkable, bicycle-oriented, and transit-friendly communities from around the world. For obvious reasons, you may prefer to watch the video version of this episode, here's that link . Our landing pag...

In this episode, I reconnect with Arleigh Greenwald, Product Market Manager for Tern Bicycles and also known as Bike Shop Girl, for a conversation about how e-bikes and cargo bikes can provide pragmatic solutions to real problems and how to provide empathic support to those who are curious but are unsure what their next steps should be. Empowering Daily Life by Bike is Arleigh's mission for her co...

In this episode, I reconnect with Sarah Frey, Development and Marketing Director with the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick, for an in-depth conversation about the Trail and the impact it has had on the health and vitality of the city and its residents. Landing page on the Active Towns website for access to videos and photos of the trail In June 2021, I had the hono...

In this episode, I reconnect with Mike Lydon for an 18-month update from our last episode in the early days of the pandemic. We discuss some of the amazing street transformations underway around the globe, including in NYC with projects such as the Little Prince Plaza. And here's our landing page for this episode - for access to the videos and photos Pop-up protected bike lanes, separated cycle tr...

In this episode, I welcome back Victor Dover of South Miami's Dover, Kohl & Partners Town Planning for an in-depth discussion about why starting with the green parts, the parks, greenways, open spaces, wilderness, and even street trees when planning our communities is critical. We also talk about the importance of getting our streets designed right and how that can help more people feel more c...

In this episode, I speak with Michael Williams about Edge Lane Roads, also commonly referred to by some people as Bicycle Advisory Lanes - a name you'll soon learn Michael doesn't particularly prefer. The type of bicycle infrastructure is quite common in The Netherlands and in Denmark and, when done well in the proper context, can serve as a critical part of an "All Ages & Abilities" network....

In this episode, I had the honor of speaking with Ken Rose, Chief of the Physical Activity and Health Branch, within the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the Active People, Healthy Nation Initiative which was launched in early 2020. We also discuss some of the underlying challenges and barriers making physical activity d...

In this episode, I reconnect with Cara Seiderman, Transportation Program Manager with the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to get an update on the newly revised bike plan and discuss some of the exciting developments currently underway to create safe and inviting active mobility environments for all ages, abilities, and identities. Active Towns Landing Page for this Episode to access photos and v...

In this episode, I connect with Bianca Shulaker, Associate Director of National Programs at The Trust for Public Land, for a discussion about their Park Score Index, the 10-Minute Walk Campaign, and the exciting opportunity to leverage qualitative data to meet the needs of the community. The Trust for Public Land was founded in 1972 on the conviction that all people need and deserve access to natu...

In this episode, I connect with Jeff Bagg, the City Planner for Easthampton, MA, for a discussion about how this historic mill town is striving to connect people to meaningful destinations by leveraging its beloved Manhan Rail Trail while expanding its connectivity and reach through new infrastructure, creative installations, and traffic calming measures. Episode Landing page for access to more in...

In this episode, I reconnect with Charles Marohn, Founder of Strong Towns and author of the new book Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town for a discussion about the compelling need to reform both our transportation systems and how those systems are planned and designed. Landing page for this episode Video version of the episode In 2010 Charles Marohn , Founder of...

In this episode, I connect with Ann Sussman, co-author along with Justin B Hollander, of the intriguing book Cognitive Architecture: Designing for How We Respond to the Built Environment for a discussion about how we can shape behavior in a positive by understanding a few key concepts related to our psychology, genetics, and how we evolved.  Landing page for this episode to access the visuals asso...

In this episode, I connect with Abby Kinney, a Kansas City-based Urban Designer with Gould Evans and the host of the Strong Towns Upzoned Podcast, for a conversation about KC, the unique structure of the podcast, and some critical new protected cycling infrastructure that has opened up the city for her and some many others. Active Towns Landing Page for this episode for access to more photos, vide...