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
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in today, Dec 26th at 2 pm Eastern for my final podcast episode of the year, a conversation with Jamie Sabbach, Founder & Principal of 110 Percent, about municipal finances and the sustainability of our parks & recreation programs and facilities.
youtu.be/IBGCdrGl1xc
youtu.be/IBGCdrGl1xc
EPISODE 322 JAMIE SABBACH: Parks and Fiscal Responsibility
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 26, 2025 at 3:49 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in today, Dec 26th at 2 pm Eastern for my final podcast episode of the year, a conversation with Jamie Sabbach, Founder & Principal of 110 Percent, about municipal finances and the sustainability of our parks & recreation programs and facilities.
youtu.be/IBGCdrGl1xc
youtu.be/IBGCdrGl1xc
ICYMI Here’s a short excerpt from Part Two of my ride with the Salt Lake City Transportation Division Director, exploring the positive financial impacts of their emerging all ages & abilities cycle network.
youtube.com/shorts/Ci3Pc...
youtube.com/shorts/Ci3Pc...
SALT LAKE CITY: Staff Tour Part Two Short #streetsareforpeople
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:14 AM
ICYMI Here’s a short excerpt from Part Two of my ride with the Salt Lake City Transportation Division Director, exploring the positive financial impacts of their emerging all ages & abilities cycle network.
youtube.com/shorts/Ci3Pc...
youtube.com/shorts/Ci3Pc...
PREMIERE ALERT Pls tune in tmw, Dec 26th (Boxing Day) at 2 pm Eastern for my final podcast episode of Season 10 and the year, a conversation with Jamie Sabbach, Founder & Principal of 110 Percent, about municipal finances and the sustainability of our parks & recreation programs
youtu.be/IBGCdrGl1xc
youtu.be/IBGCdrGl1xc
EPISODE 322 JAMIE SABBACH: Parks and Fiscal Responsibility
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 25, 2025 at 6:42 PM
PREMIERE ALERT Pls tune in tmw, Dec 26th (Boxing Day) at 2 pm Eastern for my final podcast episode of Season 10 and the year, a conversation with Jamie Sabbach, Founder & Principal of 110 Percent, about municipal finances and the sustainability of our parks & recreation programs
youtu.be/IBGCdrGl1xc
youtu.be/IBGCdrGl1xc
Checking in from Kailua Kona ~ Wishing everyone a Mele Kalikimaka!
Much aloha,
John & Laura 🌺
Much aloha,
John & Laura 🌺
December 25, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Checking in from Kailua Kona ~ Wishing everyone a Mele Kalikimaka!
Much aloha,
John & Laura 🌺
Much aloha,
John & Laura 🌺
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, December 24th, at 2 pm EST for a walking tour and discussion with Bentonville Parks & Rec Director David Wright and Sara Studdard with City Thread about the city’s exciting new parks, plazas, pathways, trails, and linear parks.
youtu.be/IuQFvzZ9UfQ
youtu.be/IuQFvzZ9UfQ
BENTONVILLE: Walking Tour with David Wright, Bentonville Parks & Rec Director
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 3:06 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, December 24th, at 2 pm EST for a walking tour and discussion with Bentonville Parks & Rec Director David Wright and Sara Studdard with City Thread about the city’s exciting new parks, plazas, pathways, trails, and linear parks.
youtu.be/IuQFvzZ9UfQ
youtu.be/IuQFvzZ9UfQ
ICYMI Here’s my Active Towns Weekly Update Newsletter featuring the 5th Annual Holiday Livestream with Ryan Van Duzer, Part Two of the Salt Lake City cycle network tour with city staff, the 2025 Week Without Driving Recap with Anna Zivarts, and some notable AMS flashbacks
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
December 22, 2025 at 3:59 PM
ICYMI Here’s my Active Towns Weekly Update Newsletter featuring the 5th Annual Holiday Livestream with Ryan Van Duzer, Part Two of the Salt Lake City cycle network tour with city staff, the 2025 Week Without Driving Recap with Anna Zivarts, and some notable AMS flashbacks
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
Another thought-provoking post from my friend, The Happy Urbanist, Jon Jon Wesolowski. I invite you to check it out 👇 open.substack.com/pub/thehappy...
Community is easy actually
It takes the hardware of a village to have the software of a village
open.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Another thought-provoking post from my friend, The Happy Urbanist, Jon Jon Wesolowski. I invite you to check it out 👇 open.substack.com/pub/thehappy...
We’re rolling now! Please join us if you can…
Aloha!😀👇
Aloha!😀👇
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Friday, December 19th, at 2 pm EST, for a conversation with Anna Zivarts aka @nondriver.bsky.social about her new venture, along with Ruth Rosas, the Non-Drivers Alliance, and for a recap of the 2025 Week Without Driving Challenge
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
EPISODE 321 ANNA ZIVARTS: Week Without Driving Challenge Recap (2025)
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 7:02 PM
We’re rolling now! Please join us if you can…
Aloha!😀👇
Aloha!😀👇
Okay, folks, it’s nearly time to roll. We'll be getting started at the top of the hour. Please tune in if you can. The Live Chat function will be open, so be sure to sign in to your YouTube account. We’re gathering now, so pop on in to say hi. 👋 Aloha! 😀👇
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Friday, December 19th, at 2 pm EST, for a conversation with Anna Zivarts aka @nondriver.bsky.social about her new venture, along with Ruth Rosas, the Non-Drivers Alliance, and for a recap of the 2025 Week Without Driving Challenge
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
EPISODE 321 ANNA ZIVARTS: Week Without Driving Challenge Recap (2025)
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Okay, folks, it’s nearly time to roll. We'll be getting started at the top of the hour. Please tune in if you can. The Live Chat function will be open, so be sure to sign in to your YouTube account. We’re gathering now, so pop on in to say hi. 👋 Aloha! 😀👇
Alright, alright, alright... We're in the final countdown, with just under 30 minutes to go until we start rolling. Please log in to your Google/YouTube account to join us for the Live Chat. It's always wonderful having you along for the ride. Aloha! 😀👇
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Friday, December 19th, at 2 pm EST, for a conversation with Anna Zivarts aka @nondriver.bsky.social about her new venture, along with Ruth Rosas, the Non-Drivers Alliance, and for a recap of the 2025 Week Without Driving Challenge
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
EPISODE 321 ANNA ZIVARTS: Week Without Driving Challenge Recap (2025)
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Alright, alright, alright... We're in the final countdown, with just under 30 minutes to go until we start rolling. Please log in to your Google/YouTube account to join us for the Live Chat. It's always wonderful having you along for the ride. Aloha! 😀👇
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Friday, December 19th, at 2 pm EST, for a conversation with Anna Zivarts aka @nondriver.bsky.social about her new venture, along with Ruth Rosas, the Non-Drivers Alliance, and for a recap of the 2025 Week Without Driving Challenge
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
EPISODE 321 ANNA ZIVARTS: Week Without Driving Challenge Recap (2025)
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 4:33 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Friday, December 19th, at 2 pm EST, for a conversation with Anna Zivarts aka @nondriver.bsky.social about her new venture, along with Ruth Rosas, the Non-Drivers Alliance, and for a recap of the 2025 Week Without Driving Challenge
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in today, Thurs, Dec 18th, at 2 pm EST / 12 noon MST for Part Two of this very special on-bike interview and cycle network tour of Salt Lake City w/ Jon Larsen, the SLC Transportation Division Director, and Jeff Gulden, Transportation Engineer.
youtu.be/Yppe-B4Ug28
youtu.be/Yppe-B4Ug28
SALT LAKE CITY: Touring An Emerging Cycle Network with City Staff (Part Two)
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 18, 2025 at 3:41 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in today, Thurs, Dec 18th, at 2 pm EST / 12 noon MST for Part Two of this very special on-bike interview and cycle network tour of Salt Lake City w/ Jon Larsen, the SLC Transportation Division Director, and Jeff Gulden, Transportation Engineer.
youtu.be/Yppe-B4Ug28
youtu.be/Yppe-B4Ug28
PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in tomorrow, Friday, December 19th, at 2 pm EST, for a conversation with Anna Zivarts @nondriver.bsky.social about her new venture, the Non-Drivers Alliance, and for a recap of the 2025 Week Without Driving Challenge.
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
EPISODE 321 ANNA ZIVARTS: Week Without Driving Challenge Recap (2025)
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 18, 2025 at 3:40 PM
PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in tomorrow, Friday, December 19th, at 2 pm EST, for a conversation with Anna Zivarts @nondriver.bsky.social about her new venture, the Non-Drivers Alliance, and for a recap of the 2025 Week Without Driving Challenge.
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
Please help support the movement 👇
Please help the #BikeBus movement continue to grow. These funds go to support more communities with resources the make it easier for them to start & sustain this amazing work. At minimum please sign up for our newsletter at BikeBusWorld.org
December 17, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Please help support the movement 👇
PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in tomorrow, Thursday, December 18th, at 2 pm EST / 12 noon MST for Part Two of this very special on-bike interview and cycle network tour of Salt Lake City with Jon Larsen, SLC Transpo Director, and Jeff Gulden, Transpo Engineer.
youtu.be/Yppe-B4Ug28
youtu.be/Yppe-B4Ug28
SALT LAKE CITY: Touring An Emerging Cycle Network with City Staff (Part Two)
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 17, 2025 at 7:46 PM
PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in tomorrow, Thursday, December 18th, at 2 pm EST / 12 noon MST for Part Two of this very special on-bike interview and cycle network tour of Salt Lake City with Jon Larsen, SLC Transpo Director, and Jeff Gulden, Transpo Engineer.
youtu.be/Yppe-B4Ug28
youtu.be/Yppe-B4Ug28
Here's an excerpt from yesterday's 5th Annual Active Towns Duzer of a Holiday Celebration with the one and only, @ryanvanduzer.bsky.social: youtube.com/shorts/r5jgT...
To watch the full recording of this Livestreamed event, click on the link in the comments below.
To watch the full recording of this Livestreamed event, click on the link in the comments below.
A DUZER OF A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION: Reflections on the Tour de Duzer Adventure from October
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Here's an excerpt from yesterday's 5th Annual Active Towns Duzer of a Holiday Celebration with the one and only, @ryanvanduzer.bsky.social: youtube.com/shorts/r5jgT...
To watch the full recording of this Livestreamed event, click on the link in the comments below.
To watch the full recording of this Livestreamed event, click on the link in the comments below.
YAY! IT’S LIVESTREAMING DAY: Pls join Ryan Van Duzer and me TODAY, Mon, Dec 15th, at 5:30 pm EST for our 5th Annual Active Towns Duzer of a Holiday Party. We invite all of you to join in on the conversation in the Live Chat, so be sure to sign in to your YouTube account.
youtube.com/live/joYDK4Y...
youtube.com/live/joYDK4Y...
5th Annual Active Towns Duzer of a Holiday Party Livestream
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
YAY! IT’S LIVESTREAMING DAY: Pls join Ryan Van Duzer and me TODAY, Mon, Dec 15th, at 5:30 pm EST for our 5th Annual Active Towns Duzer of a Holiday Party. We invite all of you to join in on the conversation in the Live Chat, so be sure to sign in to your YouTube account.
youtube.com/live/joYDK4Y...
youtube.com/live/joYDK4Y...
Very cool! Looking forward to listening to this episode 🤙👇
NEW/LISTEN! Been REALLY looking forward to this one — my interview with Jason from #NotJustBikes IS LIVE on many podcast platforms plus YouTube! We cover a LOT of really important ground on how to ACTUALLY ACHIEVE BETTER CITIES IN REAL PRACTICE! I’m looking forward to your thoughts and comments!
How to Actually Improve a City (w/Brent Toderian)
YouTube video by The Urbanist Agenda Podcast
www.youtube.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Very cool! Looking forward to listening to this episode 🤙👇
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in today, Fri, Dec 12, at 2 pm EST for my conversation w/ Sam Pearson, about active mobility implementation strategies in the challenging environments of smaller cities and rural towns, &how to leverage existing assets such as trails and pathways
youtu.be/k_Kb3sWAE-Q
youtu.be/k_Kb3sWAE-Q
EPISODE 320: Implementing Active Mobility Solutions in Challenging Urban & Rural Environments
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 4:43 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in today, Fri, Dec 12, at 2 pm EST for my conversation w/ Sam Pearson, about active mobility implementation strategies in the challenging environments of smaller cities and rural towns, &how to leverage existing assets such as trails and pathways
youtu.be/k_Kb3sWAE-Q
youtu.be/k_Kb3sWAE-Q
REMINDER: Pls tune in tmw, Fri, Dec 12, at 2 pm EST for my conversation with Sam Pearson, Healthy Communities Program Manager at the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, about active mobility implementation strategies in the challenging environments.
youtu.be/k_Kb3sWAE-Q
youtu.be/k_Kb3sWAE-Q
EPISODE 320: Implementing Active Mobility Solutions in Challenging Environments
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 11, 2025 at 7:22 PM
REMINDER: Pls tune in tmw, Fri, Dec 12, at 2 pm EST for my conversation with Sam Pearson, Healthy Communities Program Manager at the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, about active mobility implementation strategies in the challenging environments.
youtu.be/k_Kb3sWAE-Q
youtu.be/k_Kb3sWAE-Q
PREMIERE ALERT: Pls plan to tune in this Friday, December 12, at 2 pm EST for my conversation with Sam Pearson, Healthy Communities Program Manager at the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, about active mobility implementation strategies in challenging environments like rural towns.
youtu.be/k_Kb3sWAE-Q
youtu.be/k_Kb3sWAE-Q
EPISODE 320: Implementing Active Mobility Solutions in Challenging Environments
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 10, 2025 at 11:23 PM
PREMIERE ALERT: Pls plan to tune in this Friday, December 12, at 2 pm EST for my conversation with Sam Pearson, Healthy Communities Program Manager at the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, about active mobility implementation strategies in challenging environments like rural towns.
youtu.be/k_Kb3sWAE-Q
youtu.be/k_Kb3sWAE-Q
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Wednesday, December 10th, at 2 pm EST for the second installment in my Bentonville series, an on-bike interview about what has prompted the massive increase in kids riding their bikes to school.
youtu.be/vew4jK1FsrY
youtu.be/vew4jK1FsrY
BENTONVILLE: Hundreds of Kids Ride to B-Ville Schools - How It Happened
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Wednesday, December 10th, at 2 pm EST for the second installment in my Bentonville series, an on-bike interview about what has prompted the massive increase in kids riding their bikes to school.
youtu.be/vew4jK1FsrY
youtu.be/vew4jK1FsrY
Sneak peek at Part One of my on-bike interview and tour of Salt Lake City's cycle network with city staff... the Premiere of Part One is about 45 minutes away from getting started... see the link in the comments. youtube.com/shorts/YefDA...
SALT LAKE CITY: Cycle Network Tour with City Staff #shorts
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Sneak peek at Part One of my on-bike interview and tour of Salt Lake City's cycle network with city staff... the Premiere of Part One is about 45 minutes away from getting started... see the link in the comments. youtube.com/shorts/YefDA...
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Monday, December 8th, at 2 pm EST / 12 noon MST for Part One of this very special on-bike interview and cycle network tour of Salt Lake City with city staff.
youtu.be/jwmCYY0g8SI
youtu.be/jwmCYY0g8SI
SALT LAKE CITY: Touring An Emerging Cycle Network with City Staff (Part One)
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Monday, December 8th, at 2 pm EST / 12 noon MST for Part One of this very special on-bike interview and cycle network tour of Salt Lake City with city staff.
youtu.be/jwmCYY0g8SI
youtu.be/jwmCYY0g8SI
PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in tomorrow, Monday, December 8th, at 2 pm EST / 12 noon MST for Part One of this very special on-bike interview and cycle network tour of Salt Lake City with city staff.
youtu.be/jwmCYY0g8SI
youtu.be/jwmCYY0g8SI
SALT LAKE CITY: Touring An Emerging Cycle Network with City Staff (Part One)
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 7, 2025 at 8:46 PM
PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in tomorrow, Monday, December 8th, at 2 pm EST / 12 noon MST for Part One of this very special on-bike interview and cycle network tour of Salt Lake City with city staff.
youtu.be/jwmCYY0g8SI
youtu.be/jwmCYY0g8SI