In this episode of Cities in Motion, I sit down with John Simmerman, creator of Active Towns, to talk about how walking, biking, and everyday movement shape community health and quality of life.

John shares his journey from corporate health promotion into documenting and advocating for active towns across North America. We explore what truly makes a town active, from street design and land use to culture, storytelling, and the small details that signal whether a place is built for people.

We discuss the physical and mental health benefits of active mobility, how communities can foster a culture of movement beyond infrastructure alone, and the role media and storytelling play in changing how people think about streets and public space. John also reflects on lessons from cities that surprised him, differences he noticed while living in Austin, and how towns can begin becoming more people centered even when facing resistance.

This episode is for anyone interested in walkable cities, bike friendly streets, public health, and building communities where activity is a natural part of daily life.

Books brought up in this episode

Women Changing Cities by Chris and Melissa Bruntlett

Killed by a Traffic Engineer by Wes Marshall

Life After Cars by Aaron Naparstek, Doug Gordon, and Sarah Goodyear