Active Towns

Active Towns

By John SimmermanSociety & CultureEducation
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Active Towns episodes

  • Better Blocks w/ Krista Nightengale

    In this episode, I finally connect with Better Block Executive Director Krista Nightengale for an in-depth conversation about the organization and how it helps communities create safer, more livable and lovable spaces and places. This is also the Season 11 Finale. Season 12 will launch in mid-November.

    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
    πŸ‘‰ Better Block website

    πŸ€™ This video features my beloved Brompton folding bicycle. I highly recommend buying your own Brompton from your local dealer if you have one or from my favorite Boulder, Colorado-based store, Freedom Folding Bikes (yes, they can ship the bike directly to you - that's what they've done for me): https://www.freedomfoldingbikes.com/
    πŸ™Œ Mention Active Towns for a special deal on accessories and add-ons. More information on Freedom Folding Bikes can be found here: https://www.cpr.org/2024/10/23/ukraine-family-boulder-freedom-folding-bikes/
    πŸ‘ŠπŸΌ Brompton Vincita Front Bag and Travel Luggage Link: https://vincita.cc/?ref=6zadxp5oΒ  10% Off Coupon Code: ActiveTowns

    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 member-only content and Livestreams
    2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month
    3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"
    4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with cities

    Credits:
    - Video and audio production by John Simmerman
    - Music via Epidemic Sound

    Resources used during the production of this video:
    - My recording platform is Ecamm Live
    - Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
    - Equipment: Contact me for a complete list

    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:
    - Active Towns Website
    - Active Towns on Bluesky
    - Weekly Update e-Newsletter

    Background:
    Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.

    Since 2010,Β  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."

    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.

    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.

    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2026


    β˜… Support this podcast on Patreon β˜…
    55 min
  • Better Streets w/ Sara Stace

    In this episode, I reconnect with Sara Stace in Sydney, Australia, for a conversation on how we can more successfully advocate for better streets for everyone, all ages and abilities, and all mobility modes.

    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
    πŸ‘‰ Sara's Decision Tools website
    πŸ‘‰ Sara Stace on LinkedIn
    πŸ‘‰ Better Streets website
    πŸ‘‰ Squeaky Wheel Podcast that I co-host with Phil Latz
    πŸ‘‰ Book - Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World by Katharine Hayhoe: https://bookshop.org/a/85379/9781982143848 or on Amazon: https://link.amazon/B0dzoBAV5
    πŸ‘‰ Book - Cascades: How to Create a Movement that Drives Transformational Change by Greg Satell https://bookshop.org/a/85379/9781266052927 or on Amazon: https://link.amazon/B0fJEtuVq
    πŸ‘‰ Fiona Campbell, Manager of Cycling Strategy, Sydney
    πŸ‘‰ My Episode with Prof. Marco te BrΓΆmmelstroet and Prof. Ian Walker on Motonormativity

    πŸ€™ This video features my beloved Brompton folding bicycle. I highly recommend buying your own Brompton from your local dealer if you have one or from my favorite Boulder, Colorado-based store, Freedom Folding Bikes (yes, they can ship the bike directly to you - that's what they've done for me): https://www.freedomfoldingbikes.com/
    πŸ™Œ Mention Active Towns for a special deal on accessories and add-ons. More information on Freedom Folding Bikes can be found here: https://www.cpr.org/2024/10/23/ukraine-family-boulder-freedom-folding-bikes/
    πŸ‘ŠπŸΌ Brompton Vincita Front Bag and Travel Luggage Link: https://vincita.cc/?ref=6zadxp5oΒ  10% Off Coupon Code: ActiveTowns

    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 member-only content and Livestreams
    2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month
    3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"
    4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with cities

    Credits:
    - Video and audio production by John Simmerman
    - Music via Epidemic Sound

    Resources used during the production of this video:
    - My recording platform is Ecamm Live
    - Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
    - Equipment: Contact me for a complete list

    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:
    - Active Towns Website
    - Active Towns on Bluesky
    - Weekly Update e-Newsletter

    Background:
    Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.

    Since 2010,Β  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."

    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.

    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.

    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2026

    β˜… Support this podcast on Patreon β˜…
    59 min
  • Research: Bike Bus Reach & Impacts with Gemma Simón i Mas

    In this episode, I connect with Gemma Simón i Mas, a Postdoctoral Researcher at Blanquerna - Universitat Ramon Llull, for a conversation about the global reach and impact of the Bike Bus Movement and the profound cultural shift happening at the community and neighborhood levels.

    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
    πŸ‘‰ City Lab Barcelona article by Gemma
    πŸ‘‰ ICTA Video Featuring Gemma
    πŸ‘‰ Bike Bus World website
    πŸ‘‰ Park Hill Elementary Bike Bus in Denver
    πŸ‘‰ My Bike Bus Playlist
    πŸ‘‰ My Coach Balto Playlist
    πŸ‘‰ My episode with Gil Penalosa

    πŸ€™ This video features my beloved Brompton folding bicycle. I highly recommend buying your own Brompton from your local dealer if you have one or from my favorite Boulder, Colorado-based store, Freedom Folding Bikes (yes, they can ship the bike directly to you - that's what they've done for me): https://www.freedomfoldingbikes.com/
    πŸ™Œ Mention Active Towns for a special deal on accessories and add-ons. More information on Freedom Folding Bikes can be found here: https://www.cpr.org/2024/10/23/ukraine-family-boulder-freedom-folding-bikes/
    πŸ‘ŠπŸΌ Brompton Vincita Front Bag and Travel Luggage Link: https://vincita.cc/?ref=6zadxp5oΒ  10% Off Coupon Code: ActiveTowns

    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 member-only content and Livestreams
    2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month
    3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"
    4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with cities

    Credits:
    - Video and audio production by John Simmerman
    - Music via Epidemic Sound

    Resources used during the production of this video:
    - My recording platform is Ecamm Live
    - Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
    - Equipment: Contact me for a complete list

    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:
    - Active Towns Website
    - Active Towns on Bluesky
    - Weekly Update e-Newsletter

    Background:
    Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.

    Since 2010,Β  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."

    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.

    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.

    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2026

    β˜… Support this podcast on Patreon β˜…
    57 min
  • Bike Bus World Update with Coach Balto

    In this episode, we touch base with Coach Sam Balto for a Bike Bus World Update.

    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
    πŸ‘‰ Bike Bus World website
    πŸ‘‰ Bike Bus Playlist
    πŸ‘‰ Coach Sam Balto Playlist
    πŸ‘‰ Park Hill Bike Bus in Denver
    πŸ‘‰ Tim Gill Playlist

    πŸ€™ This video features my beloved Brompton folding bicycle. I highly recommend buying your own Brompton from your local dealer if you have one or from my favorite Boulder, Colorado-based store, Freedom Folding Bikes (yes, they can ship the bike directly to you - that's what they've done for me): https://www.freedomfoldingbikes.com/
    πŸ™Œ Mention Active Towns for a special deal on accessories and add-ons. More information on Freedom Folding Bikes can be found here: https://www.cpr.org/2024/10/23/ukraine-family-boulder-freedom-folding-bikes/
    πŸ‘ŠπŸΌ Brompton Vincita Front Bag and Travel Luggage Link: https://vincita.cc/?ref=6zadxp5oΒ  10% Off Coupon Code: ActiveTowns

    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 member-only content and Livestreams
    2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month
    3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"
    4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with cities

    Credits:
    - Video and audio production by John Simmerman
    - Music via Epidemic Sound

    Resources used during the production of this video:
    - My recording platform is Ecamm Live
    - Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
    - Equipment: Contact me for a complete list

    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:
    - Active Towns Website
    - Active Towns on Bluesky
    - Weekly Update e-Newsletter

    Background:
    Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.

    Since 2010,Β  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."

    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.

    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.

    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2026

    β˜… Support this podcast on Patreon β˜…
    56 min
  • Should a World Cup People-Oriented Street Holdover be Permanent?

    In this episode, I am joined once again by Vancouver, BC-based planner Brent Toderian. This time we dive deep into the discussion about what should happen with Granville Street in the aftermath of the city's hosting of the World Cup.

    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
    πŸ‘‰ Watch this episode on video
    πŸ‘‰ Brent's website
    πŸ‘‰ City of Vancouver's Granville Street website
    πŸ‘‰ Urban Truth Collective episode along with Tom Flood and Grant Ennis

    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 member-only content and Livestreams
    2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month
    3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"
    4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with cities

    Credits:
    - Video and audio production by John Simmerman
    - Music via Epidemic Sound

    Resources used during the production of this video:
    - My recording platform is Ecamm Live
    - Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
    - Equipment: Contact me for a complete list

    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:
    - Active Towns Website
    - Active Towns on Bluesky
    - Weekly Update e-Newsletter

    Background:
    Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.

    Since 2010,Β  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."

    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.

    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.

    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2026

    β˜… Support this podcast on Patreon β˜…
    1 hr 7 min
  • What An All Ages & Abilities Cycle Network Means to a Parent of a Child with Special Needs

    In this episode, I finally connect with Becky Furuta, a former Pro Cyclist with the Novo Nordisk Cycling Team and the parent of a child with special needs who will never be able to drive a car, for a conversation about her first Velo-city Conference in Rimini, Italy, and why it is so important that we create communities that provide active mobility options for all ages and abilities.

    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
    πŸ‘‰ Landing page for this episode
    πŸ‘‰ Watch the video version of this episode
    πŸ‘‰ Team Novo Nordisk Team Member Profile
    πŸ‘‰ Team Novo Nordisk video
    πŸ‘‰ Velo-city Conference
    πŸ‘‰ Follow Becky on Instagram
    πŸ‘‰ I Can Shine website
    πŸ‘‰ Mike Friedman's Pedaling Minds website

    πŸ€™ This video features my beloved Brompton folding bicycle. I highly recommend buying your own Brompton from your local dealer if you have one or from my favorite Boulder, Colorado-based store, Freedom Folding Bikes (yes, they can ship the bike directly to you - that's what they've done for me): https://www.freedomfoldingbikes.com/
    πŸ™Œ Mention Active Towns for a special deal on accessories and add-ons. More information on Freedom Folding Bikes can be found here: https://www.cpr.org/2024/10/23/ukraine-family-boulder-freedom-folding-bikes/
    πŸ‘ŠπŸΌ Brompton Vincita Front Bag and Travel Luggage Link: https://vincita.cc/?ref=6zadxp5oΒ  10% Off Coupon Code: ActiveTowns

    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 member-only content and Livestreams
    2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month
    3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"
    4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with cities

    Credits:
    - Video and audio production by John Simmerman
    - Music via Epidemic Sound

    Resources used during the production of this video:
    - My recording platform is Ecamm Live
    - Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
    - Equipment: Contact me for a complete list

    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:
    - Active Towns Website
    - Active Towns on Bluesky
    - Weekly Update e-Newsletter

    Background:
    Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.

    Since 2010,Β  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."

    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.

    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.

    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2026

    β˜… Support this podcast on Patreon β˜…
    1 hr 3 min
  • Near-Universal Support for the East Coast Greenway?

    In this episode, I reconnect with Allison Burson, the National Greenway Director for the East Coast Greenway Alliance, for an update on the buildout of this all-ages-and-abilities active mobility multi-use pathway that stretches the entire length of the eastern seaboard from the Canadian border in Maine all the way down to Key West, Florida. This episode is rich with visuals. Watch on YouTube or on Patreon.

    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
    πŸ‘‰ East Coast Greenway website
    πŸ‘‰ East Coast Greenway YouTube Channel
    πŸ‘‰ My Oulu episode excerpt
    πŸ‘‰ My Strong Towns Razorback Greenway episode
    πŸ‘‰ Fayetteville staff video highlighting the feeder trails to the Razorback Greenway
    πŸ‘‰ My Bentonville video with Dr. Julie Flagg
    πŸ‘‰ My Amtrak Brompton Playlist
    πŸ‘‰ CNU website
    πŸ‘‰ Strong Towns website
    πŸ‘‰ Sports Backers RVA website
    πŸ‘‰ Treasure Coast TPO and Kim Delaney
    πŸ‘‰ Tide to Town Trail in Savannah

    πŸ€™ This video features my beloved Brompton folding bicycle. I highly recommend buying your own Brompton from your local dealer if you have one or from my favorite Boulder, Colorado-based store, Freedom Folding Bikes (yes, they can ship the bike directly to you - that's what they've done for me): https://www.freedomfoldingbikes.com/
    πŸ™Œ Mention Active Towns for a special deal on accessories and add-ons. More information on Freedom Folding Bikes can be found here: https://www.cpr.org/2024/10/23/ukraine-family-boulder-freedom-folding-bikes/

    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 member-only content and Livestreams
    2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month
    3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"
    4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with cities

    Credits:
    - Video and audio production by John Simmerman
    - Music via Epidemic Sound

    Resources used during the production of this video:
    - My recording platform is Ecamm Live
    - Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
    - Equipment: Contact me for a complete list

    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:
    - Active Towns Website
    - Active Towns on Bluesky
    - Weekly Update e-Newsletter

    Background:
    Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.

    Since 2010,Β  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."

    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.

    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.

    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2026


    β˜… Support this podcast on Patreon β˜…
    1 hr 4 min
  • Livable Streets 2.0.2 with Prof Bruce Appleyard

    In this episode, Bruce Appleyard returns with an update on the release of his innovative rewrite and expansion of his father, Don Appleyard's book, Livable Streets, as Livable Streets 2.0. We also talk about the legacy of his father's work and how two tragic car crashes influenced his career path. We conclude with reflections on positive trends for safer, more livable streets around the globe and the new projects he's excited about, especially one with Dan Burden with Blue Zones.

    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
    πŸ‘‰ Buy Livable Streets 2.0 in the Active Towns Bookshop
    or via Amazon
    πŸ‘‰ Bruce’s personal website
    πŸ‘‰ Bruce on LinkedIn
    πŸ‘‰ Bruce’s email address: [email protected]
    πŸ‘‰ My first interview with Bruce
    πŸ‘‰ My On-Bike Interview with Dan Burden in Austin
    πŸ‘‰ Blue Zones website
    πŸ‘‰ Tim Gill Playlist
    πŸ‘‰ Lenore Skenazy episode
    πŸ‘‰ Clarence’s 34th Ave Documentary - Livable Streets
    πŸ‘‰ Families for Safe Streets episode
    πŸ‘‰ Oahu MPO website
    πŸ‘‰ My episode with Angie Schmitt
    πŸ‘‰ Emergency Streets episode with Prof. Kevin Krizek
    πŸ‘‰ My bike tour of Houten with Prof. Billy Fields and Kylie van Dam
    πŸ‘‰ Street Design episode with Victor Dover
    πŸ‘‰ Killed by a Traffic Engineer follow-up episode with Prof Wes Marshall
    πŸ‘‰ My episode with Beth Osborne

    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 member-only content and Livestreams
    2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month
    3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"
    4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with cities

    Credits:
    - Video and audio production by John Simmerman
    - Music via Epidemic Sound

    Resources used during the production of this video:
    - My recording platform is Ecamm Live
    - Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
    - Equipment: Contact me for a complete list

    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:
    - Active Towns Website
    - Active Towns on Bluesky
    - Weekly Update e-Newsletter

    Background:
    Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.

    Since 2010,Β  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."

    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.

    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.

    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2026


    β˜… Support this podcast on Patreon β˜…
    1 hr
  • WHY CAN’T WE JUST DO IT LIKE AMSTERDAM?

    In this episode, I connect with Edinburgh-based musician and everyday bike rider Daniel Abrahams for a conversation about his safer streets advocacy music videos, including his latest, Amsterdam, which asks a simple question: Why Can't We Just Do It Like Amsterdam? Indeed, even Amsterdam wasn't the Amsterdam we know now.

    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
    πŸ‘‰ Be sure to subscribe to Dan's Channel
    πŸ‘‰ Daniel's Amsterdam music video
    πŸ‘‰ Daniel's Our Streets music video
    πŸ‘‰ Daniel's Big Car music video
    πŸ‘‰ The Bruntlett’s Playlist
    πŸ‘‰ My Edinburgh Playlist
    πŸ‘‰ Jan Kamensky's website and Jan's YouTube Channel

    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 member-only content and Livestreams
    2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month
    3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"
    4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with cities

    Credits:
    - Video and audio production by John Simmerman
    - Music via Epidemic Sound

    Resources used during the production of this video:
    - My recording platform is Ecamm Live
    - Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
    - Equipment: Contact me for a complete list

    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:
    - Active Towns Website
    - Active Towns on Bluesky
    - Weekly Update e-Newsletter

    Background:
    Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.

    Since 2010,Β  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."

    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.

    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.

    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2026


    β˜… Support this podcast on Patreon β˜…
    1 hr 15 min
  • Downtown Greenway Transformation w/ Dabney Sanders

    Greensboro's downtown was dying, then they did this. In this episode, I am honored to connect with Dabney Sanders, the outgoing Project Manager responsible for helping pull together this fantastic four-mile Downtown Greenway in Greensboro, North Carolina.

    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
    πŸ‘‰ Downtown Greenway website
    πŸ‘‰ My Indy Cultural Trail Video
    πŸ‘‰ My Razorback Greenway video

    πŸ€™ This episode mentions my beloved Brompton folding bicycle. I highly recommend buying your own Brompton from your local dealer if you have one or from my favorite Boulder, Colorado-based store, Freedom Folding Bikes (yes, they can ship the bike directly to you - that's what they've done for me)
    πŸ™Œ Mention Active Towns for a special deal on accessories and add-ons. More information on Freedom Folding Bikes can be found 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 member-only content and Livestreams
    2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month
    3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"
    4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with cities

    Credits:
    - Video and audio production by John Simmerman
    - Music via Epidemic Sound

    Resources used during the production of this video:
    - My recording platform is Ecamm Live
    - Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
    - Equipment: Contact me for a complete list

    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:
    - Active Towns Website
    - Active Towns on Bluesky
    - Weekly Update e-Newsletter

    Background:
    Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.

    Since 2010,Β  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."

    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.

    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.

    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2026


    β˜… Support this podcast on Patreon β˜…
    1 hr 24 min

About Active Towns

From the publisher's feed

Conversations about Creating a Culture of Activity: Profiling the people, places, programs, and policies that help to promote a culture of activity within our communities.

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