Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
@modacitylife.com
Dutch-Canadian authors and urban mobility advocates who strive to communicate the benefits of happier, healthier, more human-scale cities.
Pinned
The wait is FINALLY over!
Our new book “Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Urban Transformation” is NOW AVAILABLE worldwide through RIBA Publishing wherever fine books are sold.
From Paris to Bogota, from Manila to Montreal—when women lead, cities thrive: www.modacitylife.com/women-changi...
Our new book “Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Urban Transformation” is NOW AVAILABLE worldwide through RIBA Publishing wherever fine books are sold.
From Paris to Bogota, from Manila to Montreal—when women lead, cities thrive: www.modacitylife.com/women-changi...
“The more people who understand these ideas and bring them to their daily work, the more value that we can bring to the world around us.”
Melissa talks to the New York Times about advocating for equitable, inclusive and sustainable mobility—and writing about other women who do, too: nyti.ms/3XhNIWX
Melissa talks to the New York Times about advocating for equitable, inclusive and sustainable mobility—and writing about other women who do, too: nyti.ms/3XhNIWX
November 30, 2025 at 8:39 AM
“The more people who understand these ideas and bring them to their daily work, the more value that we can bring to the world around us.”
Melissa talks to the New York Times about advocating for equitable, inclusive and sustainable mobility—and writing about other women who do, too: nyti.ms/3XhNIWX
Melissa talks to the New York Times about advocating for equitable, inclusive and sustainable mobility—and writing about other women who do, too: nyti.ms/3XhNIWX
Over the last eleven years, collecting our #TreeByBike has evolved from political statement to one of our family’s most revered annual rituals.
In that period of time, we’ve watched a global community grow around a simple hashtag—filled with folks changing hearts, minds and streets in their cities.
In that period of time, we’ve watched a global community grow around a simple hashtag—filled with folks changing hearts, minds and streets in their cities.
November 29, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Over the last eleven years, collecting our #TreeByBike has evolved from political statement to one of our family’s most revered annual rituals.
In that period of time, we’ve watched a global community grow around a simple hashtag—filled with folks changing hearts, minds and streets in their cities.
In that period of time, we’ve watched a global community grow around a simple hashtag—filled with folks changing hearts, minds and streets in their cities.
Since our eldest is spending Christmas abroad—the first time our family will be apart for the holidays—we opted to give her the honour of transporting the tree this year.
Happy #TreeByBike season from our home in Delft to wherever you might be. Now, let’s get that hashtag trending across the globe!
Happy #TreeByBike season from our home in Delft to wherever you might be. Now, let’s get that hashtag trending across the globe!
November 29, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Since our eldest is spending Christmas abroad—the first time our family will be apart for the holidays—we opted to give her the honour of transporting the tree this year.
Happy #TreeByBike season from our home in Delft to wherever you might be. Now, let’s get that hashtag trending across the globe!
Happy #TreeByBike season from our home in Delft to wherever you might be. Now, let’s get that hashtag trending across the globe!
A new book means new headshots, this time with Utrecht providing the beautiful backdrop.
📷: www.sarahmarchionda.com
📷: www.sarahmarchionda.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
A new book means new headshots, this time with Utrecht providing the beautiful backdrop.
📷: www.sarahmarchionda.com
📷: www.sarahmarchionda.com
Reposted by Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
Melissa Bruntlett is an urbanist storyteller. This is her story.
𝙊𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨, 𝙬𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙, “𝙊𝙆, 𝙠𝙞𝙙𝙨, 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙤.” 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘.
NYTimes 🎁 article
@modacitylife.com
𝙊𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨, 𝙬𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙, “𝙊𝙆, 𝙠𝙞𝙙𝙨, 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙤.” 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘.
NYTimes 🎁 article
@modacitylife.com
She’s on a Mission to Make the World More Bike-Friendly
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Melissa Bruntlett is an urbanist storyteller. This is her story.
𝙊𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨, 𝙬𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙, “𝙊𝙆, 𝙠𝙞𝙙𝙨, 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙤.” 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘.
NYTimes 🎁 article
@modacitylife.com
𝙊𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨, 𝙬𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙, “𝙊𝙆, 𝙠𝙞𝙙𝙨, 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙤.” 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘.
NYTimes 🎁 article
@modacitylife.com
“We all benefit — regardless of our age, our gender, our ability, our socioeconomic status — when our cities are more balanced, where cars are not the dominant force.”
An absolute honour for Melissa to be featured in the @nytimes.com’s Women in Leadership Special Report this week.
nyti.ms/3XhNIWX
An absolute honour for Melissa to be featured in the @nytimes.com’s Women in Leadership Special Report this week.
nyti.ms/3XhNIWX
November 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
“We all benefit — regardless of our age, our gender, our ability, our socioeconomic status — when our cities are more balanced, where cars are not the dominant force.”
An absolute honour for Melissa to be featured in the @nytimes.com’s Women in Leadership Special Report this week.
nyti.ms/3XhNIWX
An absolute honour for Melissa to be featured in the @nytimes.com’s Women in Leadership Special Report this week.
nyti.ms/3XhNIWX
Welterusten vanuit Utrecht.
November 27, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Welterusten vanuit Utrecht.
While Chris's role with @dutchcycling.nl often involves travelling across the globe to talk glowingly about our cycling paradise, occasionally he gets to stay and show it directly to decision-makers.
This week, it was a high-level delegation from the Beijing Municipal Commission for Transportation.
This week, it was a high-level delegation from the Beijing Municipal Commission for Transportation.
November 25, 2025 at 6:56 PM
While Chris's role with @dutchcycling.nl often involves travelling across the globe to talk glowingly about our cycling paradise, occasionally he gets to stay and show it directly to decision-makers.
This week, it was a high-level delegation from the Beijing Municipal Commission for Transportation.
This week, it was a high-level delegation from the Beijing Municipal Commission for Transportation.
“Town planning is defined as the art of creating an environment needed to produce and maintain human values—and the harmonising of public and private needs so one shall not be sacrificed to the other. If any urban activity can be said to have approached that ideal, it was the making of Dutch towns.”
November 24, 2025 at 4:21 PM
“Town planning is defined as the art of creating an environment needed to produce and maintain human values—and the harmonising of public and private needs so one shall not be sacrificed to the other. If any urban activity can be said to have approached that ideal, it was the making of Dutch towns.”
Hey Elkhart County, Indiana, Melissa's coming (back)! And this time she's bringing a friend!
The Community Foundation of Elkhart County Building Blocks Talks has been rescheduled to January 20, 2026 - now a tag team event with the both of us.
Details and registration: www.buildingblockstalks.com
The Community Foundation of Elkhart County Building Blocks Talks has been rescheduled to January 20, 2026 - now a tag team event with the both of us.
Details and registration: www.buildingblockstalks.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Hey Elkhart County, Indiana, Melissa's coming (back)! And this time she's bringing a friend!
The Community Foundation of Elkhart County Building Blocks Talks has been rescheduled to January 20, 2026 - now a tag team event with the both of us.
Details and registration: www.buildingblockstalks.com
The Community Foundation of Elkhart County Building Blocks Talks has been rescheduled to January 20, 2026 - now a tag team event with the both of us.
Details and registration: www.buildingblockstalks.com
We’re taking “Women Changing Cities” to China!
Next week, we’re heading to Shanghai, and are excited to partner with Duke Kunshan University for a special “Author Talk” event Saturday, December 6th.
Tickets are free and open to the public, but registration is required.
www.modacitylife.com/events
Next week, we’re heading to Shanghai, and are excited to partner with Duke Kunshan University for a special “Author Talk” event Saturday, December 6th.
Tickets are free and open to the public, but registration is required.
www.modacitylife.com/events
November 24, 2025 at 7:00 AM
We’re taking “Women Changing Cities” to China!
Next week, we’re heading to Shanghai, and are excited to partner with Duke Kunshan University for a special “Author Talk” event Saturday, December 6th.
Tickets are free and open to the public, but registration is required.
www.modacitylife.com/events
Next week, we’re heading to Shanghai, and are excited to partner with Duke Kunshan University for a special “Author Talk” event Saturday, December 6th.
Tickets are free and open to the public, but registration is required.
www.modacitylife.com/events
Reposted by Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
Whilst the UK government is reported to be planning to cap the Cycle to Work Scheme, the Dutch government commits €1 billion to cycling infrastructure to connect new homes.
Dutch government commits €1 billion to cycling infrastructure to connect new homes
It is part of a €2.5 billion package to create roads, cycle paths, tunnels and tram lines to residential areas
road.cc
November 22, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Whilst the UK government is reported to be planning to cap the Cycle to Work Scheme, the Dutch government commits €1 billion to cycling infrastructure to connect new homes.
Regardless of global agreements, climate resilience is ultimately built in neighbourhoods with the people who live and work in them. For towns across the Netherlands, that requires a collaborative regreening effort between the municipality and community. #ActionStartsHere @mayors4climate.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Regardless of global agreements, climate resilience is ultimately built in neighbourhoods with the people who live and work in them. For towns across the Netherlands, that requires a collaborative regreening effort between the municipality and community. #ActionStartsHere @mayors4climate.bsky.social
For centuries, cities have been planned by and for able-bodied, gainfully-employed men.
Feminist urban planning isn’t proposing the opposite, but a model that considers all stages of human life, from infancy to old age, without giving greater importance to the productive-work stage.
bit.ly/49uev9N
Feminist urban planning isn’t proposing the opposite, but a model that considers all stages of human life, from infancy to old age, without giving greater importance to the productive-work stage.
bit.ly/49uev9N
November 22, 2025 at 2:27 PM
For centuries, cities have been planned by and for able-bodied, gainfully-employed men.
Feminist urban planning isn’t proposing the opposite, but a model that considers all stages of human life, from infancy to old age, without giving greater importance to the productive-work stage.
bit.ly/49uev9N
Feminist urban planning isn’t proposing the opposite, but a model that considers all stages of human life, from infancy to old age, without giving greater importance to the productive-work stage.
bit.ly/49uev9N
Reposted by Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
In November the City of Maastricht opened the country's first 'fietszone'. Based on the cycle street where cyclists are boss and cars are guests, the City wants to improve road safety in the city centre.
We will be watching closely to see how this approach expands!
Read more: buff.ly/pOdYvia
We will be watching closely to see how this approach expands!
Read more: buff.ly/pOdYvia
November 21, 2025 at 4:02 PM
In November the City of Maastricht opened the country's first 'fietszone'. Based on the cycle street where cyclists are boss and cars are guests, the City wants to improve road safety in the city centre.
We will be watching closely to see how this approach expands!
Read more: buff.ly/pOdYvia
We will be watching closely to see how this approach expands!
Read more: buff.ly/pOdYvia
Heartfelt gratitude to everyone who traveled from across the Netherlands to celebrate the launch of #WomenChangingCities with us in Delft last night.
After 15 years in this space, we continue to be energised and inspired by the passionate people we work with in transforming cities around the world.
After 15 years in this space, we continue to be energised and inspired by the passionate people we work with in transforming cities around the world.
November 20, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Heartfelt gratitude to everyone who traveled from across the Netherlands to celebrate the launch of #WomenChangingCities with us in Delft last night.
After 15 years in this space, we continue to be energised and inspired by the passionate people we work with in transforming cities around the world.
After 15 years in this space, we continue to be energised and inspired by the passionate people we work with in transforming cities around the world.
Reposted by Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
Brilliant evening celebrating with @modacitylife.com on the launch of their third book, “Women Changing Cities”!
Excited to dig in!
Gefeliciteerd! 🙌🏼
Excited to dig in!
Gefeliciteerd! 🙌🏼
November 19, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Brilliant evening celebrating with @modacitylife.com on the launch of their third book, “Women Changing Cities”!
Excited to dig in!
Gefeliciteerd! 🙌🏼
Excited to dig in!
Gefeliciteerd! 🙌🏼
"If we want a public space where you feel safe and welcome, and where you have a sense of ownership, we have to change mobility."
Major changes are taking place in cities worldwide in the areas of housing, safety, and sustainability. And women are the forefront of these initiatives: bit.ly/44jk3QR
Major changes are taking place in cities worldwide in the areas of housing, safety, and sustainability. And women are the forefront of these initiatives: bit.ly/44jk3QR
November 19, 2025 at 9:53 AM
"If we want a public space where you feel safe and welcome, and where you have a sense of ownership, we have to change mobility."
Major changes are taking place in cities worldwide in the areas of housing, safety, and sustainability. And women are the forefront of these initiatives: bit.ly/44jk3QR
Major changes are taking place in cities worldwide in the areas of housing, safety, and sustainability. And women are the forefront of these initiatives: bit.ly/44jk3QR
Reposted by Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
"With nearly 1/3 of all trips made by bicycle Utrecht shows what can happen when cycling is fully integrated into urban planning."
Congratulations to @degemeenteutrecht.bsky.social, topping this year's @copenhagenizers.bsky.social index of global cycling-friendly cities!
Full list: buff.ly/c6fZrDI
Congratulations to @degemeenteutrecht.bsky.social, topping this year's @copenhagenizers.bsky.social index of global cycling-friendly cities!
Full list: buff.ly/c6fZrDI
November 19, 2025 at 9:03 AM
"With nearly 1/3 of all trips made by bicycle Utrecht shows what can happen when cycling is fully integrated into urban planning."
Congratulations to @degemeenteutrecht.bsky.social, topping this year's @copenhagenizers.bsky.social index of global cycling-friendly cities!
Full list: buff.ly/c6fZrDI
Congratulations to @degemeenteutrecht.bsky.social, topping this year's @copenhagenizers.bsky.social index of global cycling-friendly cities!
Full list: buff.ly/c6fZrDI
Goedeavond from Utrecht, who today @eiturbanmobility.eu named the most bicycle-friendly city in the world:
“What sets Utrecht apart is that it has understood something paramount long before most others, that the goal is no longer to make space for cycling, but to construct the city around cycling.”
“What sets Utrecht apart is that it has understood something paramount long before most others, that the goal is no longer to make space for cycling, but to construct the city around cycling.”
November 18, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Goedeavond from Utrecht, who today @eiturbanmobility.eu named the most bicycle-friendly city in the world:
“What sets Utrecht apart is that it has understood something paramount long before most others, that the goal is no longer to make space for cycling, but to construct the city around cycling.”
“What sets Utrecht apart is that it has understood something paramount long before most others, that the goal is no longer to make space for cycling, but to construct the city around cycling.”
With 24 hours until our Dutch launch for 'Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Urban Transformation', we're excited to reveal a new panel addition: ex-ECF CEO Jill Warren!
Don't miss out on the discussion and chance to network with attendees from across the Netherlands! Register: bit.ly/43tuaCc
Don't miss out on the discussion and chance to network with attendees from across the Netherlands! Register: bit.ly/43tuaCc
November 18, 2025 at 5:08 PM
With 24 hours until our Dutch launch for 'Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Urban Transformation', we're excited to reveal a new panel addition: ex-ECF CEO Jill Warren!
Don't miss out on the discussion and chance to network with attendees from across the Netherlands! Register: bit.ly/43tuaCc
Don't miss out on the discussion and chance to network with attendees from across the Netherlands! Register: bit.ly/43tuaCc
The Netherlands is investing €1 billion in cycling infrastructure to connect hundreds of thousands of new homes nationwide. These funds will build bike highways and improve bike-train intermodality, enabling residents to access jobs, healthcare and education without being locked into car dependency.
November 18, 2025 at 9:55 AM
The Netherlands is investing €1 billion in cycling infrastructure to connect hundreds of thousands of new homes nationwide. These funds will build bike highways and improve bike-train intermodality, enabling residents to access jobs, healthcare and education without being locked into car dependency.
Reposted by Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
The Netherlands is to invest up to €1 billion in cycling infrastructure to connect hundreds of thousands of new homes nationwide.
Read more: zagdaily.com/trends/dutch...
Read more: zagdaily.com/trends/dutch...
November 17, 2025 at 5:24 PM
The Netherlands is to invest up to €1 billion in cycling infrastructure to connect hundreds of thousands of new homes nationwide.
Read more: zagdaily.com/trends/dutch...
Read more: zagdaily.com/trends/dutch...
Reposted by Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
"Each name on the list represents more than leadership – they represent momentum."
Great to see #DCENetwork @modacitylife.com, Donkey Republic and partners @ecf.com @polisnetwork.eu, Cycling Industries Europe on the 100 Mobility Changemakers 2025 from @zagdaily.com.
Read more here: buff.ly/tqDiJuF
Great to see #DCENetwork @modacitylife.com, Donkey Republic and partners @ecf.com @polisnetwork.eu, Cycling Industries Europe on the 100 Mobility Changemakers 2025 from @zagdaily.com.
Read more here: buff.ly/tqDiJuF
November 17, 2025 at 4:01 PM
"Each name on the list represents more than leadership – they represent momentum."
Great to see #DCENetwork @modacitylife.com, Donkey Republic and partners @ecf.com @polisnetwork.eu, Cycling Industries Europe on the 100 Mobility Changemakers 2025 from @zagdaily.com.
Read more here: buff.ly/tqDiJuF
Great to see #DCENetwork @modacitylife.com, Donkey Republic and partners @ecf.com @polisnetwork.eu, Cycling Industries Europe on the 100 Mobility Changemakers 2025 from @zagdaily.com.
Read more here: buff.ly/tqDiJuF
Trams on grass, Rotterdam edition.
November 16, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Trams on grass, Rotterdam edition.