In this episode, I connect with Kylie van Dam to learn about life in Houten, a Dutch city near Utrecht that was intentionally designed to provide a thriving environment for people rather than cater to the circulation and storage of cars. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and be sure to subscribe to the Podcast on your preferred listening platform, and don't forget to check out the Active Towns Channel for more content. Helpful Links (note...
Mar 31, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 5Ep. 182
In this episode, I connect with Ashton & Jonathan Schottler, the dynamic duo behind the fabulous fast-growing Black Forest Family YouTube Channel. We discuss their desires to lead an active lifestyle, including modeling active mobility within their growing family, and how the built environment and German culture in their region help to support these goals. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and be sure to subscribe to the Podcast on yo...
Mar 29, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 5Ep. 181
In this episode, I chat with Robert Martin, Head of Mobility at Jaja Architects in Copenhagen, DK, about the Mobility Pyramid - Its creation and application as a paradigm shift for thinking about city design and personal choice. We also explore how he, as an architect, got into mobility work, the relationship between architects, planners, and transportation engineers in building places that promote a culture of activity, as well as some of the projects Jaja is working on. He also reflects on the...
Mar 24, 2023•55 min•Season 5Ep. 180
In this episode, I reconnect with Mallory Baches, the newly appointed President of the Congress for the New Urbanism or CNU, for a conversation about the core principles of the CNU as well as this year's Congress being held in Charlotte, North Carolina. We also reminisce about the last Congress in the area, CNU26 in Savannah, Georgia, when I filmed our Epic Bike Ride from Mount Pleasant, SC, to the Congress site in Savannah (see the link below for the re-release of that video.) Additionally, I e...
Mar 17, 2023•51 min•Season 5Ep. 179
In this episode, I connect with Brent Buice, Manager of South Carolina and Georgia with the East Coast Greenway, who provides us with a snapshot of this extraordinary effort that connects 15 states and 450 cities and towns for 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida. The initiative is fostering a safe walking and biking route through the country’s most populated corridor. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): - East Coast Greenway website - My CNU26...
Mar 10, 2023•57 min•Season 5Ep. 178
In this episode, I connect with Ryan Birkicht, Director of Enterprise Partnerships for the PeopleForBikes, to talk about this innovative transportation demand management program for employers to encourage and reward their employees who ride bikes more often. It leverages the Ride Spot app technology that PeopleForBikes has developed and launched. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): - Video version of this episode - Landing page for this epis...
Mar 06, 2023•27 min•Season 5Ep. 177
In this episode, I connect with Lindsay Sturman for a detailed discussion about the Livable Communities Initiative (LCI) of Los Angeles, California. They are a self-described group of urbanists, architects, progressive activists, and advocates who want to reimagine Los Angeles and address the housing, mobility, and climate crisis at the same time. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): - Video version of this episode - Landing page for this epi...
Mar 03, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 5Ep. 176
In this episode, I connect with Séverine Le Page and Zvi Leve from Montréal to talk about the growth in cycling through all the seasons, but in particular in winter. We also talk about the various advocacy and militant activism efforts underway to support the buildout of more cycle infrastructure and the activation of what's already on the ground. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): - Video version of this episode - Episode landing page Zvi ...
Mar 01, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 175
In this episode, I connect with Taylor Griggs, a BikePortland.org staff writer, for a firsthand account and reflections after her month-long trip to Europe. We're talking protected and separated cycle lanes, advisory bike lanes, also known as edge lane roads, and fietsstraats, also known as priority bike streets. We also discuss adding pop-up parks and bringing a bit of fun into our public spaces as well as the bike bus trend, with her visit to Barcelona to profile the Bici-bus, which happens ev...
Feb 24, 2023•58 min•Season 5Ep. 174
In this episode, I reconnect with my good friend Manuel "Manu" Calvo Salazar for a discussion about the continued evolution of the cycle network that dropped nearly intact during the 2007 economic downturn in a very fast 18-month period. I am impressed by the number of women, children, and elderly who now feel comfortable using active, sustainable mobility choices for their short trips in this beautiful city that had been overrun by cars in previous decades. Watch the video version of this episo...
Feb 17, 2023•53 min•Season 5Ep. 173
In this episode, I connect with Ole Kassow of Copenhagen and Gary Harty of Lakewood, CO, for a discussion about the Cycling Without Age organization which has a vision of creating a world together in which the access to active citizenship creates happiness among our fellow elderly citizens by providing them with an opportunity to remain an active part of society and the local community. Watch the video version of this episode to get the full effect. Landing page for the episode Helpful Links (no...
Feb 15, 2023•54 min•Season 5Ep. 172
In episode 171, I reconnect with Justin Jones from Ontario, Canada, for a discussion about designing streets with Intention - Specifically, identifying who is the intended preferred or prioritized user, the party that is welcomed or invited into the environment. Versus the ancillary users that are merely accommodated or tolerated. Justin's premise is that in North America, the car is welcomed on nearly all streets and roads, whereas people outside of cars are barely accommodated, and this should...
Feb 10, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 171
In this episode, I connect with Nathan Allebach, a marketing expert in the Philadelphia area that has turned his attention toward walkable communities and all things good urbanism. If you've spent any time at all poking around urbanism threads on Twitter, you've likely seen Nathan and his catchy, engaging TikToks on Third Places, Walkable Communities, Missing Middle Housing, and so much more. After reading a Strong Towns article profiling both Nathan and Jason Slaughter with Not Just Bikes, I re...
Feb 03, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 170
In this episode, I connect with Emily Hanna, Executive Director of Bike Walk Central Florida, for a conversation about the positive steps that are finally being made in one of the most dangerous areas historically in North America to be a person walking or biking. Emily shares her background in making her way to Bike Walk Central Florida and the initiatives the organization is working on to transform the environment. One of the strengths of the greater Orlando region is a robust series of off-st...
Jan 27, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 169
In this episode, I interview my first legit TikTok star, "Mr. Barricade," also known as the California-based transportation and civil engineer Vignesh Swaminathan. We talk about why he decided to join TikTok and how this type of communication can help us transform our built environments into more people-oriented places. Watch the video version of this episode to get the full effect. Landing page for the episode Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the chan...
Jan 20, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 5Ep. 168
In this episode, I reconnect with a fellow culture of activity documentarian and one of the world's preeminent adventure journalists, Jayme Moye. We chat about her move to Nelson, BC, becoming a Canadian citizen, and we reflect upon some of her recent assignments around the globe. We also discuss trees, specifically the very unique inland rainforest trees found in the Kootenay region, as well as the culture of activity that thrives in Nelson and the Kootenays. Watch the video version of this epi...
Jan 13, 2023•55 min•Season 5Ep. 167
In this first episode of Season Five, I'm delighted to welcome a legend in the "people-oriented places movement", Mr. Gil Penalosa, who many of you know as the person that expanded the Ciclovia program in Bogata, Columbia to the point where it became the inspiration for Open Streets programs around the globe. We discuss his recent run for mayor in Toronto, the need for city leaders to show the political will to move with a sense of urgency, and his desire to work more actively with older adult p...
Jan 06, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 166
In this episode, the finale of Season Four, I am joined by Mayor John Bauters of Emeryville, CA, for a discussion about active mobility, creating more people-oriented places, what it's like to be an actual bike mayor, as well as his recent study tour trip to The Netherlands. Watch the video version of this episode to get the full effect. Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): - Mayor Bauters on Twitter - John and Chris Bruntlett riding in Utrec...
Dec 24, 2022•59 min•Season 4Ep. 165
In this episode, Ted Siff, a founder of Austin Outside, shares the secret to Austin's success in securing the funds necessary to build out the All Ages & Abilities cycle path network, inspired in part by the Dutch experience in creating active mobility networks that work for everyone. Austin Outside Mission: Austin Outside champions vibrant and thriving outdoor places for all in Greater Austin. Greater Austin will be known for its healthy outdoor culture and vibrant public places. We envisio...
Dec 16, 2022•43 min•Season 4Ep. 164
In this episode, I connect with Garry Merritt, CEO of the Great Springs Project, which is an amazing effort to preserve critical watershed lands through conservation while also creating a 100+ mile trail stretching from Austin to San Antonio and featuring many spurs and community connectivity. From the GSP website: "We still have an opportunity to conserve open space over the Edwards Aquifer and the life-sustaining waters that run through it. As one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S., th...
Dec 09, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 163
In this episode, I reconnect with Aaron Hautala of Cuyuna, MN, for a fascinating conversation about their transformation of a 5,000-acre stripped-out area of iron ore mines into a goldmine of opportunity and a community-wide activity asset that is supporting both a culture of activity and economic vibrancy. Watch the video version of this episode to get the full effect. Landing page for the episode Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel): - Cuyun...
Dec 02, 2022•51 min•Season 4Ep. 162
In this episode, we head to Brisbane in Queensland, Australia, for a conversation about the efforts underway there to normalize active mobility and thus break the shackles of car dependency. I reached out to Chris when one of his videos, "Why do people hate cyclists?" went viral a couple of months ago. Chris Cox is an active advocate and content creator striving to make a difference in creating an environment where All Ages & Abilities feel comfortable riding more often for more daily purpos...
Nov 23, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 161
In this episode, I connect with a fellow YouTube content creator Ethan Tufts with the Hello Road Channel for a conversation about his realization that car dependency really does suck and what he, as a car enthusiast, plans to do about it. We also discuss the slow transformation of the streets of the Los Angeles area and how he hopes he can help to facilitate change locally. Watch the video version of this episode to get the full effect. Landing page for the episode Helpful Links (note that some ...
Nov 18, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 160
In this episode, I connect w/ Zach Katz, creator of Better Streets AI, for a conversation about what led him to start posting his street visualizations on Twitter and his vision for the movement going forward. We also discuss his quest to bring traditional upright Dutch bikes to the United States through his Real Dutch Bikes import venture. Watch the video version of this episode to get the full effect. Landing page for the episode Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to hel...
Nov 11, 2022•47 min•Season 4Ep. 159
In this episode, I connect with Warren Logan of Oakland, CA, for a discussion about the lessons learned from the implementation of the Slow Streets, Essential Streets, and Flex Streets programs that were rolled out in response to the pandemic lockdown and how other cities and communities can benefit from these experiences. At the height of the pandemic lockdown, hundreds of cities globally took quick action to create more public spaces for people to get out of their houses while maintaining a sa...
Nov 04, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Season 4Ep. 158
In this episode, I reconnect with Paige Ellis, Austin City Council Member from District 8 for an update on the buildout of Austin's Dutch-inspired cycle network. We also discuss the recent visit of Her Majesty Queen Maxima from the Kingdom of The Netherlands and outline some plans for traffic calming and active mobility in District 8. Watch the video version of this episode to get the full effect. Landing page for the episode Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me s...
Oct 21, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 157
In this episode, I reconnect with Gracen Johnson of Ottawa, Canada, for a conversation about architecture, land use zoning, active mobility, and how having a dog enables her to meet so many people. We also talk about her writing and video work in the early days of the Strong Towns organization, as well as her contributions to the Incremental Development movement. I also learned that she is originally from and initially started her running routine in London, ON, or as Jason Slaughter with Not Jus...
Oct 14, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 156
In this episode, I connect with the nine-time award-winning writer, director, and producer, Jennifer Boyd about her most recent film, The Street Project: The Fight to Make Our Streets Safer. We also discuss what led her on the journey to make this film on safer street design, a topic she knew nothing about before the cameras started rolling. She shares how making this film has profoundly changed how she sees our cities, streets, and land use patterns. Watch the video version of this episode to g...
Oct 12, 2022•57 min•Season 4Ep. 155
In this episode, I am honored to have a truly delightful conversation with Avital Barnea, the CalSTA (California State Transportation Agency) Deputy Secretary for Transportation Planning, about her journey to the transportation field, the state capital of California, by way of Washington DC, and why she has chosen to go car-free. We also discuss the massive challenges California and our nation are facing with regard to climate change and pervasive car dependency and the steps we need to take to ...
Oct 07, 2022•58 min•Season 4Ep. 154
In this episode, I reconnect with Matt Pinder, a traffic engineer who designs people-oriented roads and intersections; he's also a safer streets advocate with both a blog and a YouTube channel. We get into the details and discuss the role of community members and city leadership. We also discuss the nuts and bolts of shifting the focus of transportation engineering towards redesigning our streets for people, and we even walk through the creation of a "Dutch-style" protected intersection within t...
Sep 30, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Season 4Ep. 153
