Streets Ahead meets Active Towns' John Simmerman

This time we're talking with our guest about life across the Pond. If early US cities were inherently walkable, what on earth happened? Is an active travel revolution possible in such a car-centric nation? Why are there parking minimums in new developments? And what on Earth is Euclidian zoning?! John Simmerman, of the Active Towns podcast and YouTube channel, joins Adam and Laura at the start of a two month European odyssey, to talk about his work promoting active lives in the US. John spent the first 15 years of his career promoting healthy living among employees in the corporate world, before shifting his focus to the built environment and its impact on health. In the USA, roads and motor traffic dominate public space, and interstate freeways divide and segregate communities, often along racial and socioeconomic lines. John's videos and podcast promote the benefits of walkable, bikeable costs both in terms of health and beyond, to quality of life and community vibrancy. Links: You can find out more about Active Towns, and John's work, here: <a href="https://www.activetowns.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.activetowns.org</a>; and his YouTube channel is here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/activetowns" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/activetowns</a> Euclid, it turns out, is a US village where zoning powers were first established by a local government. And Adam shared that Simpsons clip on Twitter a while back: <a href="https://twitter.com/i/status/1347530929816932353" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/i/status/1347530929816932353</a> By the way, if you want ad-free listening, behind-the-scenes and bonus content and to help support the podcast - head to (<a href="https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast</a>). We’ll even send you some stickers!&nbsp; We’re also on Twitter and welcome your feedback on our episode:&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/podstreetsahead" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/podstreetsahead</a> If you're reading this, please can you take 1 minute to give us a rating and write a review? It helps us more than you probably think. Episode edited by Clare Mansell.

Can the US return to walkable, cyclable cities?

Adam's left his job, Ned's won an award, Laura's touring the country, oh, and there's a general election in the UK. It's been quite a hectic few weeks at Streets Ahead. By the way, if you want ad-free listening, behind-the-scenes and bonus content and to help support the podcast - head to (<a href="https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast</a>). We’ll even send you some stickers!&nbsp; We’re also on Twitter and welcome your feedback on our episode:&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/podstreetsahead" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/podstreetsahead</a> If you're reading this, please can you take 1 minute to give us a rating and write a review? It helps us more than you probably think. Episode edited by Clare Mansell.

General Elections, Unemployment and Awards

Laura's new book

Laura's got a book out and we're here to plug it, 1) because it's brilliant and 2) because it'd be awkward if we didn't. Potholes and Pavements: A Bumpy Ride on Britain’s National Cycle Network is the story of the UK's fitful, sometimes painful transformation from a car-dependent nation of villages, towns and cities into a connected, bikeable network of communities. It's out on 9th May at all good bookstores. Go and get a copy! Buy: <a href="https://linktr.ee/lauralakerpotholesandpavements" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://linktr.ee/lauralakerpotholesandpavements</a> For in-person events, head to <a href="http://www.laura-laker.com/book" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">laura-laker.com/book</a>. - By the way, if you want ad-free listening, behind-the-scenes and bonus content and to help support the podcast - head to (<a href="https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast</a>). We’ll even send you some stickers!&nbsp; We’re also on Twitter and welcome your feedback on our episode:&nbsp;https://twitter.com/podstreetsahead If you're reading this, please can you take 1 minute to give us a rating and write a review? It helps us more than you probably think. Episode edited by Clare Mansell.

Potholes and Pavements

In a special emergency episode, Ned and Adam try to make sense of the Plan for Drivers announcement. What does it mean for active travel and public transport? Will it actually change anything? What are the politics behind the announcement? You can read the Low Traffic Neighbourhood review here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/low-traffic-neighbourhood-review" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/low-traffic-neighbourhood-review</a> In the episode, Adam mentioned there wasn't reference to air quality on boundary roads. The report actually said the view is mixed: "LTNs have succeeded in improving air quality on internal roads but this benefit has not always been shared with boundary locations which show a mix of minimal reductions, no reductions and some increases in emissions of air pollutants." The fourth location for the LTN review was Wigan, in addition to London, Birmingham and York. By the way, if you want ad-free listening, behind-the-scenes and bonus content and to help support the podcast - head to (<a href="https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast</a>). We’ll even send you some stickers!&nbsp; We’re also on Twitter and welcome your feedback on our episode:&nbsp;https://twitter.com/podstreetsahead If you're reading this, please can you take 1 minute to give us a rating and write a review? It helps us more than you probably think. Episode edited by Clare Mansell.

The Plan for Drivers

Lost panniers, stolen bikes and HS2

From lost panniers, stolen bikes and a proposed HS2 cycleway - this is our podcast without portfolio (our favourite kind) where we chew the fat on active travel. By the way, if you want ad-free listening, behind-the-scenes and bonus content and to help support the podcast - head to (<a href="https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast</a>). We’ll even send you some stickers!&nbsp; We’re also on Twitter and welcome your feedback on our episode:&nbsp;https://twitter.com/podstreetsahead If you're reading this, please can you take 1 minute to give us a rating and write a review? It helps us more than you probably think. Episode edited by Clare Mansell.

Podcast Without Portfolio

Okay, it's not strictly active travel - but it is walking, sort of. In this short bonus episode, Laura and Adam go Mudlarking on the Thame's foreshore and find Medieval pottery, clay tobacco pipes, a Boris bike and a traffic cone. Thanks to Chris from the <a href="https://thames-explorer.org.uk/guided-tours/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thames Explorer Trust</a> for being our guide. There’s also some extra bonus content on our new Patreon. That’s right - if you want ad-free listening, behind-the-scenes and bonus content and to help support the podcast - head to (<a href="https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast</a>). We’ll even send you some stickers!&nbsp; We’re also on Twitter and welcome your feedback on our episode:&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/podstreetsahead" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/podstreetsahead</a> If you're reading this, please can you take 1 minute to give us a rating and write a review? It helps us more than you probably think. Episode edited by Clare Mansell.

BONUS: Mudlarking

London's first cargo bike hangar

Cycling is booming in London, and in cities around the world, as are cargo bikes. With prices ranging upwards of £2,000, theft is a real and present concern for owners, and a major barrier to more people experiencing the joy and convenience of owning a larger bike, whether for work, carrying children, or as a mobility aid. In this episode Laura travels to north London for a celebration of possibly the UK's first on-street dedicated secure cargo bike parking, joining about 50 other cargo bike fans. She talks to wanna-be cargo bike parents, disabled cyclists and those behind the new cycle hangar, to discuss why cities need more of this kind of thing - and what happens when it's not there. There’s also some extra bonus content on our new Patreon. That’s right - if you want ad-free listening, behind-the-scenes and bonus content and to help support the podcast - head to (<a href="https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast</a>). We’ll even send you some stickers!&nbsp; We’re also on Twitter and welcome your feedback on our episode:&nbsp;https://twitter.com/podstreetsahead If you're reading this, please can you take 1 minute to give us a rating and write a review? It helps us more than you probably think. Episode edited by Clare Mansell.

Solving the problem of cargo bike storage

Urban planning and health

Welcome to this special episode, in which it’s just Laura, her suitcase and one amazing guest, sat on a bench in the middle of one of the city’s famous Superblocks. There’s also some extra bonus content on our new Patreon. That’s right - if you want ad-free listening, behind-the-scenes and bonus content and to help support the podcast - head to (<a href="https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast</a>). We’ll even send you some stickers!&nbsp; In late 2023 Laura travelled to Barcelona by train from London. She was curious about the superblocks programme which involved some of the city’s streets being pedestrianised, leaving others as thoroughfares for motor traffic, and introducing things like greenspace and seating to the inner roads. Starting in 2022, streets in the Eixample district were transformed for walking and cycling, with a focus on cutting air pollution, overheating in summer and improving accessibility. On those streets, people can still drive in and out, but through traffic is discouraged. While I was there I met Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, a researcher and professor in urban and transport planning, environment and health, and Director of the Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative, and Head of the Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. Mark has quantified, in his research, the toll poor urban and transport planning has on the environment and health - and some of it is pretty scary. Mark was a delight to interview and I’m excited to share this episode with you. You can find some of Mark Nieuwenhuijsen’s research here:Street pedestrianization in urban districts: Economic impacts in Spanish cities https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S026427512100367X&nbsp;&nbsp;Superblocks’ impact on health, local climate and economy https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412019315223?via%3Dihub&nbsp;PASTA research https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/1/e009924Mark's current research can be found here https://ubdpolicy.eu/About the current Superblocks https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/superilles/es/content/asi-seran-las-nuevas-plaza-y-ejes-verdes-eixample&nbsp; We’re also on Twitter and welcome your feedback on our episode:&nbsp;https://twitter.com/podstreetsahead If you're reading this, please can you take 1 minute to give us a rating and write a review? It helps us more than you probably think. This episode was edited by Clare Mansell

Mark Nieuwenhuijsen in Barcelona

And we have reached the end of 2023! What a year that was: we had highs, we had lows, we had some culture wars, we did a podcast in a pub. How was 2023 for you? Ned, Laura and Adam give their perspective. &gt;&gt; Oh, and we're on Patreon! If you'd like to support Streets Ahead, get ad-free listening, behind-the-scenes content AND receive wonderful stickers, please head to:<a href="https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast</a> &lt;&lt; We’re also on Twitter and welcome your feedback on our episode: https://twitter.com/podstreetsahead If you're reading this, please can you take 1 minute to give us a rating and write a review? It helps us more than you probably think. Episode edited by Clare Mansell.

Our Year in Review

A podcast dedicated to the world of active travel, liveable streets and people-focused urban design

Cities around the world are finally discovering the pitfalls of a car-centric transport system, with the most progressive cities implementing protected cycle lanes, liveable streets and low traffic neighbourhoods for improved cycling and walking. Each episode, we discuss the news and views in the fast-paced world of active travel, cycling, walking and urban planning in a jargon-free safe space. Streets Ahead is co-hosted by Adam Tranter, Laura Laker and Ned Boulting. For all enquiries, please email <a href="mailto:streetsahead@fusion-media.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">streetsahead@fusion-media.co.uk</a>.

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