Active Towns

In this episode, I reconnect with Rotterdam-based Lior Steinberg, co-founder of Humankind and author of the delightful children's book The Car That Wanted To Be A Bike. Lior shares how the idea for the book came to him and we talk about some encouragingly fast transformations he has been involved with. Video version of this episode It seems like every day Lior notices the improvements happening al...

In this episode, I connect with Will Norman London's Walking & Cycling Commissioner under Mayor Sadik Kahn for a conversation about the advances the city has been able to make and where they are headed. Video version of this episode London, England is striving to become a city that promotes and supports walking, cycling, and transit use for the normal utilitarian trips that Londoners take on a...

In this episode, I connect with Dave Edwards in Toronto, Canada for a discussion about his journey from an occasional recreational cyclist to a passionate advocate for everyday utilitarian riding and an executive with an electric cargo bike delivery company. Video version of this episode Cargo bikes are not new, but with advancements in electric-assist technologies, they are fast becoming a common...

In this episode, I connect with Jeff Speck author of Walkable City and Walkable City Rules for a conversation talk about some important reflections, learnings, and updates featured in a new 10th anniversary version of Walkable City which will be out soon Video version of this episode Walkable City which came out ten years ago was a breakout success as a book about the why and how of creating walka...

In this episode, I chat with Jill Warren the CEO of the European Cyclists' Federation about two international events coming up in June, her personal journey to her role, and how the organization is promoting cycling of all kinds throughout Europe and beyond. Video version of this episode The European Cyclists' Federation (ECF) has these two very important cycling gatherings and events taking place...

In this episode, I connect with Tom Flood, as known as "tomflood1" on Twitter, who shares his story of transformation from advertising and marketing for the automobile industry to becoming a parent who is now keenly aware of just how hostile our streets are, especially for our youngest and oldest community members. Video version of this episode Tom first turned to Twitter to vent his frustrations...

In this episode, I connect with Kathryn King, Urban Mobility Manager of New Zealand's Transport Agency for a discussion about the progress the country is making and the plans ahead for creating more streets for people to address the significant challenges we are facing globally. Video version of this episode After living in The Netherlands, Japan, and London, England, Kathryn King returned home to...

In this episode, I connect with Chris Nolte, an entrepreneur with a passion to help get more people riding more often by providing practical solutions and entertaining, educational videos. Video version of this episode Electric-assist bikes and e-cargo bikes have in many ways supercharged the bike industry and provided much-needed practical utilitarian solutions to many households worldwide. Ten y...

In this episode, I am delighted to reconnect with Meredith Glaser, Director of the University of Amsterdam's Urban Cycling Institute, for a brief discussion about life as a parent and ex-pat in The Netherlands, freedom of mobility for children there, her recent dissertation defense/research, and we end with some exciting new education opportunities being developed at the University and Institute,...

In this episode, I reconnect with Professor Piatkowski, who recently moved his family from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Oslo, Norway, to help launch a new graduate program in Smart Mobility and Urban Analysis at Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet), so I wanted to get his first impressions of his new home, how the family is adjusting, and better understand why they decided on Norway. Video of this epis...

In this episode, I reconnect with Jean-François Rheault, Président-directeur général at Vélo Québec, for a deep dive into all the amazing programs, events, initiatives, and services provided by this versatile organization.   Video version of the episode Landing Page - for access to photos and videos We talk about the community favorite rides Tour de l’Île de Montréal and Tour la Nuit as well as th...

In this episode, I reconnect with Brandon for a chat about his new home, Carmel, Indiana, a location famously known as the roundabout city in North America. We discuss the amazing transformation of the Monon Trail into Monon Boulevard and the establishment of a new city center.   Video version of the episode Additionally, we cover Dutch bikes, Dutch-inspired cycling infrastructure, cargo bikes, ro...

In this episode, I am honored to have Shabazz Stuart on to tell us all about Oonee: A innovative secure, and equitable bike solution for cities. Brown in Brooklyn and about to go global. Video version of this episode Show Notes: Finding a safe and secure place to park your ride is increasingly a huge challenge and with the relative value of bikes rising with many more people riding electric-assist...

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...