Texas has been trying to build a high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston for more than 15 years and it still doesn’t exist.

In this episode of Cities in Motion, we look at what happened to the Texas Bullet Train: why it was proposed, who supported it, who fought it, and what ultimately stalled it. We’ll explore how land rights, politics, funding, and local opposition collided with the idea of building fast, modern rail in a car-first state and what this story says about how Texas builds big infrastructure.

If you’re interested in cities, transportation, public policy, and how decisions shape everyday life, follow Cities in Motion for more stories like this.

In this episode of Cities in Motion, I sit down with Kelly from Austin Bicycle Meals on the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge in downtown Austin to talk about how a small, volunteer run group is using bicycles to fight food insecurity across the city.

Austin Bicycle Meals delivers free, homemade meals by bike to people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, showing how simple, people scaled systems can meet real needs where larger institutions often fall short.

We talk about how the organization got started, how the bike delivery model works, what volunteers are seeing on the ground across Austin, and what this kind of grassroots care reveals about the gaps and possibilities in our urban systems.

This conversation is about more than bikes or food. It is about dignity, community, and what it really means to build cities for people.

If this episode resonated with you and you want to help:Meeting in the alley behind 205 E Monroe St
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What happens when we stop talking about cities and economies as abstract systems—and start talking about people?

In this episode of Cities in Motion, I’m joined by Isaac, the voice behind People Over Numbers, a podcast that breaks down current economic issues through a deeply human lens. Isaac focuses on the real-world impacts of economic decisions, asking essential questions like: Who benefits? Who bears the costs? And how do policy choices show up in everyday life?

Our conversation explores where economics and urbanism intersect, with topics ranging from minimum parking requirements and density to the true costs of sports stadiums and the role of the Dallas Area Transit Authority. We dig into why people-centered thinking matters in city building, and how reframing economic narratives can lead to more equitable, livable communities. From transportation and land use to public investment and policy priorities, this episode unpacks how numbers on a spreadsheet translate into real experiences on the ground.

Be sure to check out People Over Numbers wherever you get your podcasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, leave a review, or pass it along to someone who cares about building people-first cities.

Thanks for listening to Cities in Motion.

In this episode of Cities in Motion, I sit down with Dr. Miriam Schoenfield — Associate Professor at UT Austin and President of Rethink35. Miriam breaks down the latest developments in the push to rethink the I-35 expansion through Austin, including the ongoing lawsuit, environmental concerns, and what a people-centered alternative could look like.

We explore how highway expansion impacts health, equity, climate, and the daily lives of Austinites — and what it would take to build a future where mobility is safer, cleaner, and more efficient. Whether you’re a longtime supporter of Rethink35 or simply curious about how highways shape our cities, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Link to the Rethink35 website

https://rethink35.org/

A single policy decision from the 1970s reshaped today’s car market. This episode explains how CAFE fuel-economy rules pushed automakers toward bigger SUVs and trucks — and why those incentives still shape vehicle size, safety, and design today.

References

• Whitefoot, K., & Skerlos, S. (2014). University of Michigan College of Engineering: CAFE and Vehicle Size Effects on Fleet Efficiency. Energy Policy, January 2015.
  

• Popular Mechanics. (2014). “The Automotive Industry’s Counterintuitive Response to Fuel Economy Regulations.”
  

• Historical context on oil crises: OPEC embargo, 1973
  

• U.S. automotive history: Model T (1908), post-WWII economic boom, 1960s–70s muscle cars, 1980s–90s SUV rise

Ever taken a short walk only to find the sidewalk suddenly ends, leaving you on grass, near traffic, or completely stranded?

In this episode, we explore the curious case of disappearing sidewalks and the reasons behind them—from suburban design and jurisdiction gaps to ADA compliance and safety concerns. We’ll hear real stories from communities that faced these challenges and discover how some cities successfully fixed the problem. Whether you walk, bike, or just want safer streets, join us as we dig into why sidewalks vanish and what can be done to bring them back.

Evan Edingers original video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lShDhGn5e5s

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