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
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
NEW VIDEO ALERT: Please check out the latest edition from my Active Towns Amtrak Tour. I connect with Adam Lind, Denver Trails Program Manager, for a tour of their impressive off-street network of cycle paths, highlighting some beautiful new murals and artwork along the way.
youtu.be/VAmyJyp37E4
youtu.be/VAmyJyp37E4
DENVER: Exploring the Mile High City's Extensive Off-Street Cycle Network
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 11:52 AM
NEW VIDEO ALERT: Please check out the latest edition from my Active Towns Amtrak Tour. I connect with Adam Lind, Denver Trails Program Manager, for a tour of their impressive off-street network of cycle paths, highlighting some beautiful new murals and artwork along the way.
youtu.be/VAmyJyp37E4
youtu.be/VAmyJyp37E4
Hey Everyone, here’s my weekly update featuring flashbacks to my “commute” video from my extended stay in Utrecht last summer, my convo with Tom Flood about his radical children demand change, 😉 my Boulder staff tour finale, and a profile of cycling city Minneapolis.
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
November 2, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Hey Everyone, here’s my weekly update featuring flashbacks to my “commute” video from my extended stay in Utrecht last summer, my convo with Tom Flood about his radical children demand change, 😉 my Boulder staff tour finale, and a profile of cycling city Minneapolis.
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
This 💯
And yes, I discussed this very topic with Melissa & Chris during an Active Towns episode recording session earlier today, which Premiere on Nov 7 at 2pm EST on Active Towns, pls subscribe to the Channel and turn on all notifications to join in on the conversation: bit.ly/Subscribe2Ac...
And yes, I discussed this very topic with Melissa & Chris during an Active Towns episode recording session earlier today, which Premiere on Nov 7 at 2pm EST on Active Towns, pls subscribe to the Channel and turn on all notifications to join in on the conversation: bit.ly/Subscribe2Ac...
"Mention women or gender and many men have the false assumption that they are not welcome. Let me be very clear for those men who are in doubt of their place in discussions about women and gender in urbanism: This is as much your issue as it is ours!"
New post: modacitycreative.com/2025/10/31/n...
New post: modacitycreative.com/2025/10/31/n...
October 31, 2025 at 8:34 PM
This 💯
And yes, I discussed this very topic with Melissa & Chris during an Active Towns episode recording session earlier today, which Premiere on Nov 7 at 2pm EST on Active Towns, pls subscribe to the Channel and turn on all notifications to join in on the conversation: bit.ly/Subscribe2Ac...
And yes, I discussed this very topic with Melissa & Chris during an Active Towns episode recording session earlier today, which Premiere on Nov 7 at 2pm EST on Active Towns, pls subscribe to the Channel and turn on all notifications to join in on the conversation: bit.ly/Subscribe2Ac...
ICYMI: Yesterday, I released this fascinating conversation with Peter Bird, a resident of Heidelberg, Germany, and a doctoral researcher at the Technical University, Eindhoven in the Netherlands, who is studying and documenting the historical context of Minneapolis as a cycling city.
bit.ly/3JpQnKS
bit.ly/3JpQnKS
October 31, 2025 at 8:06 PM
ICYMI: Yesterday, I released this fascinating conversation with Peter Bird, a resident of Heidelberg, Germany, and a doctoral researcher at the Technical University, Eindhoven in the Netherlands, who is studying and documenting the historical context of Minneapolis as a cycling city.
bit.ly/3JpQnKS
bit.ly/3JpQnKS
More fall inspiration... 👇
Halloween Bike Bus
Minneapolis, MN
10/31/25
We have multiple new people who are now riding with us directly due to the e bike rebate. I love seeing the way this program is getting people on bikes and bringing people together.
Minneapolis, MN
10/31/25
We have multiple new people who are now riding with us directly due to the e bike rebate. I love seeing the way this program is getting people on bikes and bringing people together.
October 31, 2025 at 8:00 PM
More fall inspiration... 👇
Reposted by Active Towns
Philly Bike Train is Upping the City of Brotherly Love’s Bicycle Commute Game
https://www.cyclingeu.com/767181/philly-bike-train-is-upping-the-city-of-brotherly-loves-bicycle-commute-game/
A bike bus for adults! Great idea. by Nervous-Design437
https://www.cyclingeu.com/767181/philly-bike-train-is-upping-the-city-of-brotherly-loves-bicycle-commute-game/
A bike bus for adults! Great idea. by Nervous-Design437
Philly Bike Train is Upping the City of Brotherly Love’s Bicycle Commute Game - Cycling Europe
A bike bus for adults! Great idea. by Nervous-Design437
www.cyclingeu.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Philly Bike Train is Upping the City of Brotherly Love’s Bicycle Commute Game
https://www.cyclingeu.com/767181/philly-bike-train-is-upping-the-city-of-brotherly-loves-bicycle-commute-game/
A bike bus for adults! Great idea. by Nervous-Design437
https://www.cyclingeu.com/767181/philly-bike-train-is-upping-the-city-of-brotherly-loves-bicycle-commute-game/
A bike bus for adults! Great idea. by Nervous-Design437
Yup... activity is life... find more ways like this to normalize activity in your neighborhood ❤️
Some of the many reason why the #BikeBus is so amazing & impactful. #Bicycle #Bike #PhysicalActivity
October 31, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Yup... activity is life... find more ways like this to normalize activity in your neighborhood ❤️
The world needs more of this 👇
We’ve done four Peabody #BikeBus rides with the band so far, and each one relies on an incredible selfless army of volunteers.
I’m so grateful to them without whom we couldn’t pull off this joyful madness. A true community.
Happy HONKoween 🎺🎷🎃
I’m so grateful to them without whom we couldn’t pull off this joyful madness. A true community.
Happy HONKoween 🎺🎷🎃
October 31, 2025 at 7:52 PM
The world needs more of this 👇
Reposted by Active Towns
If you cannot see children trick-or-treating, maybe consider not driving tonight?
October 31, 2025 at 4:01 PM
If you cannot see children trick-or-treating, maybe consider not driving tonight?
The core tenet of the San Antonio, TX Bicycle Network Plan (BNP) — safety and comfort for everyone — clearly resonated, as 98% of BNP survey respondents called for greenways or protected bike lane investments in their neighborhoods.
The car-brains are outraged. 👇
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/31/p...
The car-brains are outraged. 👇
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/31/p...
Pedaling Toward Progress: San Antonio’s Bold Bike Plan in a Car-Centric State — Streetsblog USA
If we can do this in Texas, we can do it anywhere.
usa.streetsblog.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:37 PM
The core tenet of the San Antonio, TX Bicycle Network Plan (BNP) — safety and comfort for everyone — clearly resonated, as 98% of BNP survey respondents called for greenways or protected bike lane investments in their neighborhoods.
The car-brains are outraged. 👇
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/31/p...
The car-brains are outraged. 👇
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/31/p...
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in today, Thur, Oct 30th, at 2 pm EST / 7 pm CET for a chat with Peter Bird, a researcher at the Technical University (TU) Eindhoven in the Netherlands, who is studying and documenting the historical context of Minneapolis as a cycling city.
youtu.be/8sznA40SvOo
youtu.be/8sznA40SvOo
EPISODE 314: Exploring the Historical Context of Minneapolis as a Cycling City
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
October 30, 2025 at 12:13 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in today, Thur, Oct 30th, at 2 pm EST / 7 pm CET for a chat with Peter Bird, a researcher at the Technical University (TU) Eindhoven in the Netherlands, who is studying and documenting the historical context of Minneapolis as a cycling city.
youtu.be/8sznA40SvOo
youtu.be/8sznA40SvOo
PREMIERE ALERT: Pls tune in tomorrow, Thurs, Oct 30th, at 2 pm EST / 7 pm CET for my conversation with Peter Bird, a resident of Heidelberg, Germany, and a doctoral researcher at the Technical University (TU) Eindhoven in the Netherlands studying Minneapolis as a cycling city
youtu.be/8sznA40SvOo
youtu.be/8sznA40SvOo
EPISODE 314: Peter Bird on the Historical Context of Minneapolis as a Cycling City
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM
PREMIERE ALERT: Pls tune in tomorrow, Thurs, Oct 30th, at 2 pm EST / 7 pm CET for my conversation with Peter Bird, a resident of Heidelberg, Germany, and a doctoral researcher at the Technical University (TU) Eindhoven in the Netherlands studying Minneapolis as a cycling city
youtu.be/8sznA40SvOo
youtu.be/8sznA40SvOo
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in today, Wed, Oct 29th, at 2 pm EST for the finale of my on-bike interview with Boulder city staff Daniel Sheeter, Lucy O'Sullivan, and Gerrit Slatter. You'll see some truly exciting new off-street and on-street cycle network infrastructure.
youtu.be/BK8LlfyH3P4
youtu.be/BK8LlfyH3P4
BOULDER: City Staff Cycle Infrastructure Tour (Part Three)
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 12:03 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in today, Wed, Oct 29th, at 2 pm EST for the finale of my on-bike interview with Boulder city staff Daniel Sheeter, Lucy O'Sullivan, and Gerrit Slatter. You'll see some truly exciting new off-street and on-street cycle network infrastructure.
youtu.be/BK8LlfyH3P4
youtu.be/BK8LlfyH3P4
Reposted by Active Towns
October 28, 2025 at 7:16 PM