Active Towns

In this episode, I reconnect with Eileen McGinnis, Founder & Executive Director of the Parents' Climate Community, for an in-depth discussion about what prompted her to start this organization, as well as Austin's Kidical Mass, Bike Bus, and all things sustainable active mobility as caregiving. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): 👉 Parent...

In this episode, I reconnect with my good friend, the former Executive Director of the Adventure Cycling Association, Missoula, Montana-based, Jim Sayer. We catch up on land use and parking reform progress being made in the State, in general, and in the city in particular. We also address some street design changes in the works, before shifting our attention to all things bike touring and adventur...

In this episode, we reconnect with Victor Dover, co-author of Street Design: The Secret to Great Cities and Towns, Second Edition, for a deep dive into precisely why streets matter so much in shaping our daily lives, for better and for worse, and how, by learning from the world’s best streets, we can transform our dysfunctional and dangerous cityscapes into more livable environments Helpful Links...

LIVESTREAM RECORDING:  Beth Osborne, President & CEO of Smart Growth America, joined me for an in-depth discussion about the newly released Dangerous by Design 2026 Report. 👉 Preview the Report here If you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways: 1. Become an Active Towns Member on YouTube for exclusive m...

In this episode, Clarence Eckerson, Jr., shares some behind-the-scenes insights into the making of his new documentary profiling the amazing 34th Avenue Open Streets installation, now viewed as a permanent linear park, formally named Paseo Park by the city. This version was recorded live and then edited. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): 👉...

In this episode, I connect with Professor Sara FL Kirk, with Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for an in-depth discussion about her research centered on environments that promote healthy, active living, what prompted her to become a safer streets activist, hint: it's the story as we heard from Tom Flood with the Urban Truth Collective, and some of her favorite initiatives she's been in...

New York City is on the cutting edge of many amazing "Streets Are For People" initiatives, and Open Plans is increasingly front and center in this movement with campaigns such as School Streets, Low Traffic Neighborhoods (LTNs), Public Space Management, Intersection Daylighting, and many more. In this episode, I connect with Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans, to discuss the projects t...

In this episode, I connect with Ashton Rohmer, a doctoral candidate in Peace and Conflict Resolution studies, who is examining Car Supremacy and our societal acceptance of vehicular violence through her research on the ideology of car supremacy and on reimagining streets as sites of care and community. She challenges us to imagine more peaceful streets for everyone. Helpful Links (note that some m...

In this episode, I connect with Professor Michael Pollack for a deep dive into his fabulous new book Sidewalk Nation: The Life and Law of America’s Most Overlooked Resource. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): 👉 Buy the book through the Active Towns Bookshop or via Amazon here If you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supp...

In this episode, I welcome back my good friend and colleague, Chris Bruntlett, International Relations Manager with the Dutch Cycling Embassy, for a follow-up discussion about the resurgence of everyday cycling culture and cycling infrastructure as an official policy in a variety of cities across China. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): 👉 D...

In this episode, we dive into the details of the Navahine Settlement with the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, with Luca Cuniberti, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council member, and Doorae Shin, Navahine Settlement Coordinator with Our Children's Trust. The settlement agreement, which the court has approved, recognizes children’s constitutional rights to a life-sustaining climate and mo...

In this episode, I connect with Sam Johnson from the World Bank for a discussion about the connection between active mobility for all ages and abilities and livable communities, as well as, overall quality of life measures. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): 👉 Invest In Livable Communities 👉 Invest In Livable Communities FAQ 👉 My episode w...

How streets are transformed into safer, more inviting places is messy and difficult. This fascinating new documentary dives deep into the details of just such a transformation in New York City, and the results are beautiful and inspiring, yet frustrating on so many levels. You'll ask: "Why does it have to be so hard?" and then you'll see the very human responses to the prospect of change and how t...

In this episode, I reconnect with Tim Gill and meet Alice Ferguson for a discussion about a recent report they collaborated on titled “Streets for Play, Streets for Freedom,” which calls for a radical, child-centered approach to decision-making around streets and transport planning. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): 👉 Streets for Play, Stre...

In this episode, I reconnect with Tom Flood and Grant Ennis and meet Brent Toderian to discuss their new collaborative effort, the Urban Truth Collective: The truth about cities in an age of disinformation. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): 👉 The Urban Truth Collective website 👉 The Urban Truth Collective on Bluesky 👉 The Urban Truth Coll...

In this episode, I reconnect with Ross Chapin, author of Pocket Neighborhoods: Creating Small-Scale Community in a Large-Scale World, for an in-depth discussion about this powerful approach to creating more livable communities. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): 👉 Ross Chapin's website for resources 👉 My Pocket Neighborhoods video from 2017...

In this episode, I connect with Jacob Davis, host of The Cities in Motion Podcast, for a discussion about what led him to want to host an urbanism and sustainable communities podcast that channels the tenets of the Strong Towns and Active Towns movements. We also profile the opening of the new Wishbone Bridge, which closes a critical gap on the Butler Hike & Bike Trail around Ladybird Lake in...

This is the recording of my Live discussion with Charles “Chuck” Marohn, Founder and President of Strong Towns, about their Mission Accomplished: End Highway Expansions Now initiative, and what we as a nation and at the local level should be focusing our transportation dollars on. For more information: 👉 Strong Towns Mission Accomplished website If you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, pleas...

In this episode, I reconnect with a dear friend from my Boulder triathlon days, Dieter Bruhn, and his relatively new wife, Grace. We discuss the Hanoi dance scene and contrast the culture of activity in Vietnam with Boulder, Colorado. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): 👉 One World Training website If you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast...

This is the Livestream recording of my Follow-Up Conversation with Prof. Wes Marshall, about his impactful book Killed By A Traffic Engineer: Shattering the Delusion that Science Underlies our Transportation System. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): 👉 Wes Marshall's website 👉 My Book Launch episode with Wes in 2024 👉 Buy Killed By A Traff...

In this episode, I connect with Diane Alisa Tuft, author of A Love Letter to Suburbia: How to Restore the American Village, to discuss her journey into urbanism and her advocacy for walkable communities and the return of villages. As part of this journey, we discuss how a specific Not Just Bikes video opened her eyes to what was making her so frustrated and miserable. Helpful Links (note that some...

In this episode, I reconnect with Carter Lavin for an in-depth discussion about his new book, If You Want to Win, You've Got to Fight: A Guide to Effective Transportation Advocacy. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): 👉 Carter’s website 👉 Buy the Book via the Active Towns bookshop or via Amazon , and on the Island Press website , for a limite...

In this episode, I connect with Esther Walker, Executive Director of Outride, a non-profit launched by Specialized Bicycles with the mission of providing research, cycling programs, and funding to empower all people to experience the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of cycling. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): 👉 Outride website 👉...

In this on-bike interview, I connect with Ryan Short, founder of CivicBrand, for a tour around Boulder while we discuss his new book, The Civic Brand: The Power and Responsibility of Place. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): 👉 CivicBrand website 👉 Get your copy of the book 👉 CivicBrand on Instagram 👉 Ryan Short on LinkedIn 👉 Strong Towns...

In this episode, I finally connect with Mara Mintzer, co-founder and executive director of Growing Up Boulder, for a conversation about the power of engaging children in community conversations like planning and design that for too long have been left primarily or exclusively to adults. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): 👉 Growing Up Boulder...