Active Towns
@activetowns.bsky.social
Hi! I'm John Simmerman, founder of Active Towns, a channel dedicated to profiling the people, places, and programs promoting a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities." Learn more 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@activetowns
Reposted by Active Towns
An excellent story on the Bike Bus phenomenon via @wweek.com featuring @coachbalto.bsky.social and including a cameo by two podcasters on book tour.
Sam Balto Has Made Portland’s Bike Buses Famous. Can They Last?
The bike bus concept is gaining in popularity, and Portland is now home to about 25 bike buses. This is largely thanks to Sam Balto.
www.wweek.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:42 PM
An excellent story on the Bike Bus phenomenon via @wweek.com featuring @coachbalto.bsky.social and including a cameo by two podcasters on book tour.
WEEKLY UPDATE: Thanksgiving 🦃 edition of the Active Towns weekly update… feat. Morey Boogie Boards, Bentonville, AR, CargoB, Kailua Kona, and Haarlem, NL - seems like a nice mix
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
November 26, 2025 at 6:23 PM
WEEKLY UPDATE: Thanksgiving 🦃 edition of the Active Towns weekly update… feat. Morey Boogie Boards, Bentonville, AR, CargoB, Kailua Kona, and Haarlem, NL - seems like a nice mix
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in today, Wed, Nov 26th at 2 pm EST for my first profile video in Bentonville. I join Ride to Work Wed, get a tour of the Move Hub, and interview some really cool folks encouraging people to choose active transportation instead of driving alone
youtu.be/MzvB_rgwTws
youtu.be/MzvB_rgwTws
BENTONVILLE: Exclusive Interviews with the Ride to Wednesday Crew at the Move Hub
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 4:52 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in today, Wed, Nov 26th at 2 pm EST for my first profile video in Bentonville. I join Ride to Work Wed, get a tour of the Move Hub, and interview some really cool folks encouraging people to choose active transportation instead of driving alone
youtu.be/MzvB_rgwTws
youtu.be/MzvB_rgwTws
PREMIERE ALERT: Pls tune in tmw, Wed, Nov 26th at 2 pm EST for my first formal profile video in Bentonville. I join Ride to Work Wednesday, get a tour of the Move Hub, & interview some really cool folks encouraging people to choose active transportation instead of driving alone
youtu.be/MzvB_rgwTws
youtu.be/MzvB_rgwTws
BENTONVILLE: Bike to Work Wednesday Interviews at the Move Hub
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 12:54 AM
PREMIERE ALERT: Pls tune in tmw, Wed, Nov 26th at 2 pm EST for my first formal profile video in Bentonville. I join Ride to Work Wednesday, get a tour of the Move Hub, & interview some really cool folks encouraging people to choose active transportation instead of driving alone
youtu.be/MzvB_rgwTws
youtu.be/MzvB_rgwTws
This is so cool! And yes, we talked about this program in today's episode, which is now available here: youtu.be/w5jBTFPL96Q
November 21, 2025 at 8:27 PM
This is so cool! And yes, we talked about this program in today's episode, which is now available here: youtu.be/w5jBTFPL96Q
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in later today, Friday, November 21st, at 2 pm EST for a discussion with @dot-fennell.bsky.social and @zackdeclerck.bsky.social about the innovative cargo bike sharing program, @ridecargob.bsky.social , currently operating in the Boston area.
youtu.be/w5jBTFPL96Q
youtu.be/w5jBTFPL96Q
EPISODE 317 CARGOB: A Conversation with Co-Founders Dot and Zack
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 3:51 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in later today, Friday, November 21st, at 2 pm EST for a discussion with @dot-fennell.bsky.social and @zackdeclerck.bsky.social about the innovative cargo bike sharing program, @ridecargob.bsky.social , currently operating in the Boston area.
youtu.be/w5jBTFPL96Q
youtu.be/w5jBTFPL96Q
PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in tomorrow, Friday, November 21st, at 2 pm EST for a discussion with @dot-fennell.bsky.social and @zackdeclerck.bsky.social about the innovative cargo bike sharing program, @ridecargob.bsky.social, currently operating in the Boston area.
youtu.be/w5jBTFPL96Q
youtu.be/w5jBTFPL96Q
EPISODE 317 CARGOB: A Conversation with Co-Founders Dot and Zack
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 4:37 PM
PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in tomorrow, Friday, November 21st, at 2 pm EST for a discussion with @dot-fennell.bsky.social and @zackdeclerck.bsky.social about the innovative cargo bike sharing program, @ridecargob.bsky.social, currently operating in the Boston area.
youtu.be/w5jBTFPL96Q
youtu.be/w5jBTFPL96Q
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY! Here it is, my first Active Towns video from my “new” town - Please tune in today, Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 2 pm EST, which is 9 am here in Hawaii, for a little cruise down Ali`i Drive into the Historic Village of Kailua Kona, Hawai`i.
youtu.be/3uthHGO_YS4
youtu.be/3uthHGO_YS4
KAILUA KONA, HI: No Dutch Infrastructure Here, Yet - A Brief Ride Along Ali`i Drive
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY! Here it is, my first Active Towns video from my “new” town - Please tune in today, Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 2 pm EST, which is 9 am here in Hawaii, for a little cruise down Ali`i Drive into the Historic Village of Kailua Kona, Hawai`i.
youtu.be/3uthHGO_YS4
youtu.be/3uthHGO_YS4
Aloha, we are settled into our new digs in the Historic Village of Kailua Kona, pictured in the featured image. This update features a flashback to a car enthusiast who is done with car-dependency, a cycling manifesto, and a ride thru Boulder County you don't want to miss
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
November 17, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Aloha, we are settled into our new digs in the Historic Village of Kailua Kona, pictured in the featured image. This update features a flashback to a car enthusiast who is done with car-dependency, a cycling manifesto, and a ride thru Boulder County you don't want to miss
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
ICYMI Yesterday, I released this fascinating conversation with Michela Grasso, a writer and researcher at the @urbancyclinginstitute.org in Amsterdam, about the Dutch Cycling Manifesto and Field Guide she helped compose and compile. Please check it out here:
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
EPISODE 316 MICHELA GRASSO: An Amsterdam-based Manifesto for Cycling Futures
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 2:55 PM
ICYMI Yesterday, I released this fascinating conversation with Michela Grasso, a writer and researcher at the @urbancyclinginstitute.org in Amsterdam, about the Dutch Cycling Manifesto and Field Guide she helped compose and compile. Please check it out here:
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
Reposted by Active Towns
Not all delivery trucks are justifiable in cities. We can create jobs, boost sustainable transportation, and create safer streets with better infrastructure through cargo bike logistics.
The solutions, designs, and tools already exist. All we seem to lack is the political will to implement them.
The solutions, designs, and tools already exist. All we seem to lack is the political will to implement them.
November 13, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Not all delivery trucks are justifiable in cities. We can create jobs, boost sustainable transportation, and create safer streets with better infrastructure through cargo bike logistics.
The solutions, designs, and tools already exist. All we seem to lack is the political will to implement them.
The solutions, designs, and tools already exist. All we seem to lack is the political will to implement them.
Reposted by Active Towns
‼️ UNBELIEVABLE RESULTS‼️ Hold my baguette while I count the people on bikes! How did Paris increase cycling by 240% in a few short years?
November 13, 2025 at 1:38 PM
‼️ UNBELIEVABLE RESULTS‼️ Hold my baguette while I count the people on bikes! How did Paris increase cycling by 240% in a few short years?
Strong Towns are inherently Active Towns because they are striving to be naturally walkable and bikeable places, which is why I’m proud to support @strongtowns.org as one of its founding members, and I invite you to join me in growing the movement now:
bit.ly/3WPB15m
See 🧵 for some fun extras...
bit.ly/3WPB15m
See 🧵 for some fun extras...
Become a Member | Strong Towns
As a Strong Towns member, you’re not just supporting our work, you’re part of it. You just need to care about where you live and want to do something about it.
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Strong Towns are inherently Active Towns because they are striving to be naturally walkable and bikeable places, which is why I’m proud to support @strongtowns.org as one of its founding members, and I invite you to join me in growing the movement now:
bit.ly/3WPB15m
See 🧵 for some fun extras...
bit.ly/3WPB15m
See 🧵 for some fun extras...
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in later today, Wed, Nov 12th, at 2 pm EST / 8 pm CET for a conversation w/ Michela Grasso, a writer and researcher at the @urbancyclinginstitute.org in Amsterdam, about the Dutch Cycling Manifesto and Field Guide she helped compose and compile.
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
EPISODE 316 MICHELA GRASSO: An Amsterdam-based Manifesto for Cycling Futures
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 11:02 AM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in later today, Wed, Nov 12th, at 2 pm EST / 8 pm CET for a conversation w/ Michela Grasso, a writer and researcher at the @urbancyclinginstitute.org in Amsterdam, about the Dutch Cycling Manifesto and Field Guide she helped compose and compile.
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
I have been a member of @strongtowns.org since the very beginning, because their work is changing how we build our cities and towns—one block at a time. And as Chuck and I say frequently, Strong Towns are Active Towns.
Please join me in growing the movement during Member Week
bit.ly/3WPB15m
Please join me in growing the movement during Member Week
bit.ly/3WPB15m
Become a Member | Strong Towns
As a Strong Towns member, you’re not just supporting our work, you’re part of it. You just need to care about where you live and want to do something about it.
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 1:21 PM
I have been a member of @strongtowns.org since the very beginning, because their work is changing how we build our cities and towns—one block at a time. And as Chuck and I say frequently, Strong Towns are Active Towns.
Please join me in growing the movement during Member Week
bit.ly/3WPB15m
Please join me in growing the movement during Member Week
bit.ly/3WPB15m
REMINDER: Please tune in tomorrow, Wednesday, November 12th, at 2 pm EST / 8 pm CET for a conversation with Michela Grasso, a writer and researcher at the @urbancyclinginstitute.org in Amsterdam, about the Dutch Cycling Manifesto and Field Guide she helped compose and compile.
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
EPISODE 316 MICHELA GRASSO: An Amsterdam-based Manifesto for Cycling Futures
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 12:54 PM
REMINDER: Please tune in tomorrow, Wednesday, November 12th, at 2 pm EST / 8 pm CET for a conversation with Michela Grasso, a writer and researcher at the @urbancyclinginstitute.org in Amsterdam, about the Dutch Cycling Manifesto and Field Guide she helped compose and compile.
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
ICYMI: Yesterday, I released this fun little ride-along video of my @bromptonbicycle.bsky.social ride from the Downtown Boulder area out to Zinn Cycles in Louisville, mainly on high comfort, quiet residential streets and off-street pathways… until the very end, that is. 👇
youtu.be/hosmjoeiVM0
youtu.be/hosmjoeiVM0
BOULDER: My 95% Comfortable Ride to Zinn Cycles in Louisville
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 12:53 PM
ICYMI: Yesterday, I released this fun little ride-along video of my @bromptonbicycle.bsky.social ride from the Downtown Boulder area out to Zinn Cycles in Louisville, mainly on high comfort, quiet residential streets and off-street pathways… until the very end, that is. 👇
youtu.be/hosmjoeiVM0
youtu.be/hosmjoeiVM0
As we make the move back to Hawaii Island (also, known as the Big Island) this is a glimmer of hopeful news… a lot of work ahead. bigislandnow.com/2025/11/09/h...
New state initiative launched to improve pedestrian, biking, transit access across Hawaiʻi | Big Island Now
The network includes shared-use paths, protected bike lanes, sidewalks and transit facilities aimed at filling gaps in transportation infrastructure and improving connections between communities acros...
bigislandnow.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:30 PM
As we make the move back to Hawaii Island (also, known as the Big Island) this is a glimmer of hopeful news… a lot of work ahead. bigislandnow.com/2025/11/09/h...
PREMIERE ALERT: Please join me for this ride-along video in about 15 minutes… I’ll be taking my Brompton Bicycle in for a new waxed chain treatment at Zinn Cycles.
youtu.be/hosmjoeiVM0
youtu.be/hosmjoeiVM0
BOULDER: My 95% Comfortable Ride to Zinn Cycles in Louisville
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 7:33 PM
PREMIERE ALERT: Please join me for this ride-along video in about 15 minutes… I’ll be taking my Brompton Bicycle in for a new waxed chain treatment at Zinn Cycles.
youtu.be/hosmjoeiVM0
youtu.be/hosmjoeiVM0
PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in this Wednesday, November 12th, at 2 pm EST / 8 pm CET for a conversation with Michela Grasso, a writer and researcher at the Urban Cycling Institute in Amsterdam, about the Dutch Cycling Manifesto and Field Guide she helped compose and compile.
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
EPISODE 316 MICHELA GRASSO: An Amsterdam-based Manifesto for Cycling Futures
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 10:54 AM
PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in this Wednesday, November 12th, at 2 pm EST / 8 pm CET for a conversation with Michela Grasso, a writer and researcher at the Urban Cycling Institute in Amsterdam, about the Dutch Cycling Manifesto and Field Guide she helped compose and compile.
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
youtu.be/BPVNzKcGi_I
Hey Everyone, here’s my weekly update featuring a flashback to my 2022 search for the “original” woonerf in Delft, an update on our move back to Hawaii, an exploration of Denver’s urban trails, and my recent episode with @modacitylife.com about their new book.
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
November 9, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Hey Everyone, here’s my weekly update featuring a flashback to my 2022 search for the “original” woonerf in Delft, an update on our move back to Hawaii, an exploration of Denver’s urban trails, and my recent episode with @modacitylife.com about their new book.
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
ICYMI Yesterday, I released this special conversation with @modacitylife.com about their fantastic new book Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Transformation, which highlights the groundbreaking work of female mayors, planners, advocates, & policymakers in reshaping urban
youtu.be/jHDKb0l4nHg
youtu.be/jHDKb0l4nHg
EPISODE 315 MELISSA & CHRIS BRUNTLETT: Global Stories of Transformation
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 3:48 PM
ICYMI Yesterday, I released this special conversation with @modacitylife.com about their fantastic new book Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Transformation, which highlights the groundbreaking work of female mayors, planners, advocates, & policymakers in reshaping urban
youtu.be/jHDKb0l4nHg
youtu.be/jHDKb0l4nHg
Reposted by Active Towns
In the heart of Breda, in the south of the Netherlands, a dramatic metamorphosis is underway: the Nieuwe Mark project, where a corridor once dedicated to cars is being transformed into a blue-green vein; part of the city's vision to make its centre more beautiful, liveable, natural and sustainable.🧵
November 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
In the heart of Breda, in the south of the Netherlands, a dramatic metamorphosis is underway: the Nieuwe Mark project, where a corridor once dedicated to cars is being transformed into a blue-green vein; part of the city's vision to make its centre more beautiful, liveable, natural and sustainable.🧵
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY Pls join us today, Fri, Nov 7th, at 2 pm EST / 8 pm CET for a special conversation with @modacitylife.com about their amazing new book Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Transformation. Sign in to your YouTube account to participate in the live chat
youtu.be/jHDKb0l4nHg
youtu.be/jHDKb0l4nHg
EPISODE 315 MELISSA & CHRIS BRUNTLETT: Global Stories of Transformation
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 11:52 AM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY Pls join us today, Fri, Nov 7th, at 2 pm EST / 8 pm CET for a special conversation with @modacitylife.com about their amazing new book Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Transformation. Sign in to your YouTube account to participate in the live chat
youtu.be/jHDKb0l4nHg
youtu.be/jHDKb0l4nHg
PREMIERE ALERT: Please join us tomorrow, Friday, November 7th, at 2 pm EST / 8 pm CET for a special conversation with @modacitylife.com about their fantastic new book Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Transformation. Sign in to your YouTube account for the live chat.
youtu.be/jHDKb0l4nHg
youtu.be/jHDKb0l4nHg
EPISODE 315 MELISSA & CHRIS BRUNTLETT: Global Stories of Transformation
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 11:15 AM
PREMIERE ALERT: Please join us tomorrow, Friday, November 7th, at 2 pm EST / 8 pm CET for a special conversation with @modacitylife.com about their fantastic new book Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Transformation. Sign in to your YouTube account for the live chat.
youtu.be/jHDKb0l4nHg
youtu.be/jHDKb0l4nHg