Active Towns

In this episode, I connect with Jarrett Walker, author of Human Transit, revised edition. This book, aimed at a nontechnical reader, explores the challenging questions that you must think about when planning or advocating for public transit in your community. We discuss what aspects of the public transit landscape have changed since the first edition in 2011, such as the rise of small shared perso...

In this episode, I connect with Reena Mahajan, founder of Paris-based Studio Divercity, to discuss creating people-centered and nature-based cities and reducing car dependency in cities around the globe. Studio Divercity envisions a world where people-centered & nature-positive cities replace car-centric urban sprawl. Reena is an architect, urban planner, and mobility advocate with a strong ba...

In this episode, I connect with Phil Burns, Managing Principal of the Pasadena-based Arroyo Group, for a discussion about his six-week trial of going car-free this past summer and the people-oriented street transformations in the Los Angeles area that the Arroyo Group is involved with. Phil provides a comprehensive breakdown of his modal mix during his car-free experience, including transit, walki...

In this episode, I'm honored to connect with Jessica Tillyer, one of the volunteers who jumped in to start the Montclair bike bus efforts that provide multiple bike buses across this New Jersey township every Friday. We also discuss the potential of school street initiatives and how the Montclair bike bus is helping to change the narrative of what streets are for and helping to kickstart an emergi...

In this episode, I finally connect with Tom Babin, the creative genius behind the Shifter YouTube Channel about everyday cycling. Tom shares what inspired him to start the Channel, we look back to some of the earliest videos as well as his most popular creations, we naturally discuss winter cycling (how could we not?), and then we shift gears to discuss recent trends and the challenges facing comm...

In this episode, I reconnect with Ronnie Matthew Harris, founder of Sacred Roots, to discuss his active mobility backstory, including a pivotal cycle network study tour to The Netherlands and his work with the City Thread organization. We then cover how these experiences have culminated in his effort to restore and renew a rundown section of Gulfport, Mississippi, into a flourishing community. Tha...

In this episode, I connect with Bill Schultheiss, a partner with Toole Design Group and one of the key contributors to this much-anticipated rewrite of the official AASHTO Bicycle Facilities Design Guide. We'll discuss the origins and evolution of the guide and why this version will have such a profound impact on creating networks of all ages and abilities cycle facilities throughout the United St...

In this episode, I reconnect with London-based journalist and author Laura Laker to discuss her brilliant new book Potholes and Pavements: A Bumpy Ride on Britain’s National Cycle Network. An ultimately universal and relatable story for anyone striving to push back on the status quo of car dependency and encourage active mobility for everyday utilitarian trips, leisure trips, and even adventurous...

In this episode, I connect with the Denleys to discuss how living abroad in Denmark inspired them to bring utilitarian cycling and cargo bikes to their hometown of Yellowknife in The Northwest Territories of Canada. This is yet another case of regular people, parents, who became radicalized into becoming safer streets and everyday cycling advocates. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed...

In this Season 9 Premiere of the Podcast, I reconnect with Professor Donald Shoup, author of The High Cost of Free Parking, affectionately known as "Shoup Dogg," in honor of his rockstar status and birthplace of Long Beach, CA. We discuss the momentum of the parking reform movement to help create more affordable and walkable communities, as well as the huge challenge of LA's sidewalks in disrepair...

In this final episode of Season 8, I connect with Miguel Moravec, a Senior Associate with the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), for an in-depth discussion about the opportunities to curb the negative climate impacts of our current car-dependent approach to transportation by providing more sustainable mobility mode choices, such as walking, biking, and transit. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you...

In this episode, I connect with Rachel Leonardo, a Pamplona-based video producer who has recently taken over the role of creating video content for the Strong Towns organization. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred listening platform. Also, don't forget to check out the Active Towns Channel for m...

In this episode, I reconnect with Geert Kloppenburg, a Dutch urban mobility expert and filmmaker who has been documenting some of the serious safety challenges being presented by car and lorry conflicts emerging on many Dutch city streets that seemingly escape the notice of most global active mobility advocates and many local leaders. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, p...

In this episode, I connect with Sara Bronin for an in-depth discussion about her new book Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World. We discuss how zoning has shaped our communities, influenced car dependency, and hampered our health in the past, and how we can turn things around with good zoning policies moving forward. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share...

In this episode, I connect with Patty Wiens, the Bicycle Mayor of Winnipeg, for an update on the everyday cycling scene in this emerging bicycle-friendly city in the province of Manitoba, Canada. We discuss the status of the lagging safe cycling infrastructure, the impressive advocacy groups, and a recent act of "civil obedience" where cyclists went out at rush hour and followed all the "rules of...

In this episode, I reconnect with journalist Alissa Walker, founder of the new newsletter Torched. LA for a discussion about the forthcoming major events (Superbowl, World Cup, and Olympics) being hosted by Los Angeles in the coming years and how the region can leverage these opportunities to ensure that the citizens don't get "torched" by a legacy of debt and discrimination. Thank you so much for...

In this episode, I connect with Prof. Jordi Honey-Rosés for a conversation about the amazing street transformations taking place in Barcelona, the emergence of the worldwide bike bus phenomenon, and the school streets movement.  Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred listening platform. Also, don't...

In this episode, I reconnect with Tom Flood, the brilliant mind behind the fantastic meme generation machine, the Rovelo Creative agency, for a conversation about how his work is being adopted and adapted in cities around the globe. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred listening platform. Also, do...

In this episode, I connect with Heidi Beierle, author of the fabulous self-discovery/adventure book Heidi Across America: One Woman's Journey on Bicycle Through the Heartland. A personal account of her ride across the continent to study the impact of bicycle tourism in small-town America and learn to love herself and her country one pedal stroke at a time. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you e...

In this episode, I reconnect with The Happy Urbanist, Jon Jon Wesolowski, in Chattanooga, TN, for a discussion about his journey to urbanist activism, his approach to making more sociable neighborhoods & communities, and why he is running for City Council in Chattanooga. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast on...

In this episode, I welcome back Jeff Wood of The Overhead Wire, a subscription news curation service and the Talking Headway Podcast, in acknowledgment and celebration of hitting and surpassing the impressive milestone of 500 podcast episodes. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred listening platfor...

In this episode, I connect with Laura Mitchell from Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a conversation about her journey to becoming an accidental safer streets & active mobility advocate with an impressive reach both locally and globally. We discuss her involvement with the Our Streets MN non-profit advocacy organization, the well-established and beloved off-street network of multi-use pathways, and...

In this episode, I reconnect with Nic Laporte, the Vancouver, BC-based creative force behind the fast-growing @nicthedoor urbanism and active mobility YouTube channel, to learn more about his backstory and what he hopes to achieve with his inspiring videos from Japan, The Netherlands and various locations across North America. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please sh...

In this episode, I connect with Sara Dykman, author of the book Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201 Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration, for a conversation about her work studying endangered species for the forest service in California, her epic cycling with butterflies journey, and what we all can do help Monarchs survive and thrive, including the planting of the milkweed plants they f...

In this week's Podcast Episode, I connect with Tina Castillo and Paul Tolmé for a wide-ranging discussion about the Cascade Bicycle Club in the State of Washington and their advocacy and educational efforts to get more people riding more often throughout the state. Note that this was another episode prompted by a viewer's suggestion. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, pl...