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
PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in tomorrow, Friday, January 23rd, at 2 pm Eastern for my conversation with Esther Walker, Executive Director of Outride, about their work in empowering all people to experience the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of cycling.
youtu.be/3PwMkv4swAA
youtu.be/3PwMkv4swAA
EPISODE 325 ESTHER WALKER: The Research & Engagement of Outride
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
January 23, 2026 at 1:24 AM
PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in tomorrow, Friday, January 23rd, at 2 pm Eastern for my conversation with Esther Walker, Executive Director of Outride, about their work in empowering all people to experience the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of cycling.
youtu.be/3PwMkv4swAA
youtu.be/3PwMkv4swAA
Quote of the Day: “America was not designed for the car. It was destroyed for it.”
open.substack.com/pub/thehappy...
open.substack.com/pub/thehappy...
Ptolemaic complexity
Sometimes people are incredibly right at being wrong.
open.substack.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Quote of the Day: “America was not designed for the car. It was destroyed for it.”
open.substack.com/pub/thehappy...
open.substack.com/pub/thehappy...
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in later today, Thursday, January 22nd, at 2 pm Eastern, for an epic tour with Mike West of the Daybreak Community in South Jordan, Utah, one of the most livable developments I’ve profiled in over thirty-five years of doing this work.
youtu.be/dHW1XQ724_A
youtu.be/dHW1XQ724_A
SOUTH JORDAN, UTAH: Exploring Daybreak by Bike
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
January 22, 2026 at 4:10 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in later today, Thursday, January 22nd, at 2 pm Eastern, for an epic tour with Mike West of the Daybreak Community in South Jordan, Utah, one of the most livable developments I’ve profiled in over thirty-five years of doing this work.
youtu.be/dHW1XQ724_A
youtu.be/dHW1XQ724_A
Here’s my weekly update for the Active Towns Channel for the week of January 19, 2025. Featured in this edition: A “Walk ’n Talk” with Stephanie Orman, the Mayor of Bentonville, discussing the addition of thirty miles to their emerging cycle network in just three years.
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
January 19, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Here’s my weekly update for the Active Towns Channel for the week of January 19, 2025. Featured in this edition: A “Walk ’n Talk” with Stephanie Orman, the Mayor of Bentonville, discussing the addition of thirty miles to their emerging cycle network in just three years.
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
BENTONVILLE In this video montage, Mayor Stephanie Orman reflecting on the recent accomplishment of building 30 miles of their safe and inviting cycle network in just 3 years, sharing some pearls of wisdom and lessons, and showing us the bike-rideable Ledger building
youtube.com/shorts/9Rsnj...
youtube.com/shorts/9Rsnj...
BENTONVILLE: Mayor Orman on Building a Cycle Network Fast #bentonvillemoves
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
January 18, 2026 at 5:27 PM
BENTONVILLE In this video montage, Mayor Stephanie Orman reflecting on the recent accomplishment of building 30 miles of their safe and inviting cycle network in just 3 years, sharing some pearls of wisdom and lessons, and showing us the bike-rideable Ledger building
youtube.com/shorts/9Rsnj...
youtube.com/shorts/9Rsnj...
It just makes sense… 👇
More of London's roads will have safer speed limits because there's irrefutable evidence it save lives:
📉 25% fewer main road collisions
📉 34% fewer people killed or serious injured on local roads
📉75% fall in children killed on local roads
@itvnews.bsky.social
itv.com/news/london/...
📉 25% fewer main road collisions
📉 34% fewer people killed or serious injured on local roads
📉75% fall in children killed on local roads
@itvnews.bsky.social
itv.com/news/london/...
January 16, 2026 at 11:52 PM
It just makes sense… 👇
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, January 16th, at 2 pm Eastern, for the next installment in the Active Towns Tour of Bentonville Series - An Insightful Walk ’N Talk with Mayor Stephanie Orman discussing their emerging cycle network and culture of activity.
youtu.be/raosizzCDGw
youtu.be/raosizzCDGw
BENTONVILLE: 30 Miles in Just 3 Years! How'd They Expand The Cycle Network So Fast?
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
January 16, 2026 at 6:51 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! 😀👇
A School Streets resource courtesy of Clarence Eckerson Jr.
Use this help enhance awareness about what is possible in your community 👇
Use this help enhance awareness about what is possible in your community 👇
School streets need to be a major initiative in the @mayor.nyc.gov Mamdani Administration. @nyc-dot.bsky.social
So my latest blog post has for the very 1st time EVERY Streetfilm on school streets embedded in one place! PLUS: bonus photos. It's a great resource.
www.streetfilms.org/featured/sch...
So my latest blog post has for the very 1st time EVERY Streetfilm on school streets embedded in one place! PLUS: bonus photos. It's a great resource.
www.streetfilms.org/featured/sch...
A Bonanza of School Streets Resources for you to use! — Streetfilms
As you know we are big on wanting school streets in every city, all over the world. We have also done the most ambitious documenting with many popular films that are used worldwide to advocate for the...
www.streetfilms.org
January 16, 2026 at 6:42 PM
A School Streets resource courtesy of Clarence Eckerson Jr.
Use this help enhance awareness about what is possible in your community 👇
Use this help enhance awareness about what is possible in your community 👇
DAILY DISPATCH: ICYMI - Thurs, Jan 15, 2026
A cloudy sunrise, which led to a mid-morning rain, just before my recording of Ep 326 feat. Carter Lavin about his new book, If You Want to Win, You've Got to Fight: A Guide to Effective Transportation Advocacy
youtube.com/shorts/ghnZr...
A cloudy sunrise, which led to a mid-morning rain, just before my recording of Ep 326 feat. Carter Lavin about his new book, If You Want to Win, You've Got to Fight: A Guide to Effective Transportation Advocacy
youtube.com/shorts/ghnZr...
DAILY DISPATCH: Happy, Happy Thursday!
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:33 PM
DAILY DISPATCH: ICYMI - Thurs, Jan 15, 2026
A cloudy sunrise, which led to a mid-morning rain, just before my recording of Ep 326 feat. Carter Lavin about his new book, If You Want to Win, You've Got to Fight: A Guide to Effective Transportation Advocacy
youtube.com/shorts/ghnZr...
A cloudy sunrise, which led to a mid-morning rain, just before my recording of Ep 326 feat. Carter Lavin about his new book, If You Want to Win, You've Got to Fight: A Guide to Effective Transportation Advocacy
youtube.com/shorts/ghnZr...
ICYMI Episode 324 is out in audio-only and video now! Tune in to learn how a city’s Civic Brand serves as its north star and can help reverse car-brain derangement syndrome, also known as motonormativity.
www.activetowns.org/2026/01/15/t...
www.activetowns.org/2026/01/15/t...
The Civic Brand
EPISODE 324, SEASON 11:
In this episode, I connect with Ryan Short, author of The Civic Brand: The Power & Responsibility of Place
We discuss, during this on-bike interview in Boulder, CO, his Salid...
www.activetowns.org
January 16, 2026 at 5:27 PM
ICYMI Episode 324 is out in audio-only and video now! Tune in to learn how a city’s Civic Brand serves as its north star and can help reverse car-brain derangement syndrome, also known as motonormativity.
www.activetowns.org/2026/01/15/t...
www.activetowns.org/2026/01/15/t...
The phenomenon of induced demand doesn't just apply to new highway lanes, a new study confirms and if cities can pair great multimodal infrastructure with other actions that support people using it, it can be powerful force to decarbonize the transportation sector
usa.streetsblog.org/2026/01/09/c...
usa.streetsblog.org/2026/01/09/c...
Confirmed: Non-Driving Infrastructure Creates 'Induced Demand,' Too — Streetsblog USA
Widening a highway to cure congestion is like losing weight by buying bigger pants — but thanks to the same principle of "induced demand," adding bike paths and train lines to cure climate actually wo...
usa.streetsblog.org
January 16, 2026 at 4:15 PM
The phenomenon of induced demand doesn't just apply to new highway lanes, a new study confirms and if cities can pair great multimodal infrastructure with other actions that support people using it, it can be powerful force to decarbonize the transportation sector
usa.streetsblog.org/2026/01/09/c...
usa.streetsblog.org/2026/01/09/c...
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Friday, January 16th, at 2 pm Eastern, for the next installment in the Active Towns Tour of Bentonville Series - An Insightful Walk ’N Talk with Mayor Stephanie Orman discussing their emerging cycle network and culture of activity.
youtu.be/raosizzCDGw
youtu.be/raosizzCDGw
BENTONVILLE: 30 Miles in Just 3 Years! How'd They Expand The Cycle Network So Fast?
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
January 16, 2026 at 3:37 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Friday, January 16th, at 2 pm Eastern, for the next installment in the Active Towns Tour of Bentonville Series - An Insightful Walk ’N Talk with Mayor Stephanie Orman discussing their emerging cycle network and culture of activity.
youtu.be/raosizzCDGw
youtu.be/raosizzCDGw
REMINDER: Please tune in tomorrow, Friday, January 16th, at 2 pm Eastern, for the next installment in my Bentonville Series - An Insightful Walk ’N Talk with Mayor Stephanie Orman discussing their emerging cycle network and culture of activity.
youtu.be/raosizzCDGw
youtu.be/raosizzCDGw
BENTONVILLE: 30 Miles in Just 3 Years! How'd They Expand The Cycle Network So Fast?
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
January 15, 2026 at 10:43 PM
REMINDER: Please tune in tomorrow, Friday, January 16th, at 2 pm Eastern, for the next installment in my Bentonville Series - An Insightful Walk ’N Talk with Mayor Stephanie Orman discussing their emerging cycle network and culture of activity.
youtu.be/raosizzCDGw
youtu.be/raosizzCDGw
DAILY DISPATCH BONUS: Whales 🐋 at Sunset 🌅
The whales 🐋 were putting on a show this evening at sunset. Wishing you all much aloha.
youtube.com/shorts/bCHdu...
The whales 🐋 were putting on a show this evening at sunset. Wishing you all much aloha.
youtube.com/shorts/bCHdu...
DAILY DISPATCH BONUS: Whales 🐋 at Sunset 🌅
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:49 AM
DAILY DISPATCH BONUS: Whales 🐋 at Sunset 🌅
The whales 🐋 were putting on a show this evening at sunset. Wishing you all much aloha.
youtube.com/shorts/bCHdu...
The whales 🐋 were putting on a show this evening at sunset. Wishing you all much aloha.
youtube.com/shorts/bCHdu...
PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in this Friday, January 16th, at 2 pm Eastern, for the next installment in my Bentonville Series - An Insightful Walk ’N Talk with Mayor Stephanie Orman discussing their emerging cycle network and culture of activity.
youtu.be/raosizzCDGw
youtu.be/raosizzCDGw
BENTONVILLE: 30 Miles of Bike Lanes in Just 3 Years - How'd They Do it?
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
January 15, 2026 at 2:49 AM
PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in this Friday, January 16th, at 2 pm Eastern, for the next installment in my Bentonville Series - An Insightful Walk ’N Talk with Mayor Stephanie Orman discussing their emerging cycle network and culture of activity.
youtu.be/raosizzCDGw
youtu.be/raosizzCDGw
DAILY DISPATCH: Big Surf = Big Fun
The swell has continued to build, and there was a lot of activity out on the water this morning, including a couple of OC-1 paddlers and a boogie boarder who caught a nice wave. Have a great everyone, aloha!
youtube.com/shorts/RCveb...
The swell has continued to build, and there was a lot of activity out on the water this morning, including a couple of OC-1 paddlers and a boogie boarder who caught a nice wave. Have a great everyone, aloha!
youtube.com/shorts/RCveb...
DAILY DISPATCH: Big Surf = Big Fun
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:50 PM
DAILY DISPATCH: Big Surf = Big Fun
The swell has continued to build, and there was a lot of activity out on the water this morning, including a couple of OC-1 paddlers and a boogie boarder who caught a nice wave. Have a great everyone, aloha!
youtube.com/shorts/RCveb...
The swell has continued to build, and there was a lot of activity out on the water this morning, including a couple of OC-1 paddlers and a boogie boarder who caught a nice wave. Have a great everyone, aloha!
youtube.com/shorts/RCveb...
DAILY DISPATCH: Surf's Up Again
After some much-needed rain last night, the skies cleared and I awoke to the sound of a building swell and a beautiful sunrise. I hope you enjoy this dispatch.
youtube.com/shorts/LBynv...
After some much-needed rain last night, the skies cleared and I awoke to the sound of a building swell and a beautiful sunrise. I hope you enjoy this dispatch.
youtube.com/shorts/LBynv...
DAILY DISPATCH: Surf's Up Again
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:11 PM
DAILY DISPATCH: Surf's Up Again
After some much-needed rain last night, the skies cleared and I awoke to the sound of a building swell and a beautiful sunrise. I hope you enjoy this dispatch.
youtube.com/shorts/LBynv...
After some much-needed rain last night, the skies cleared and I awoke to the sound of a building swell and a beautiful sunrise. I hope you enjoy this dispatch.
youtube.com/shorts/LBynv...
DAILY DISPATCH Checking in from the Shoreline as I Kick Off A Busy Week of Podcast Recordings
I’ll be interviewing Esther Walker, with the Outride Bike program, which is conducting research on the cognitive benefits of cycling, and I’ll be on the Cities In Motion podcast
youtube.com/shorts/sUVQz...
I’ll be interviewing Esther Walker, with the Outride Bike program, which is conducting research on the cognitive benefits of cycling, and I’ll be on the Cities In Motion podcast
youtube.com/shorts/sUVQz...
DAILY DISPATCH: Checking in from the Shoreline as I Kick Off A Busy Week of Podcast Recordings
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:54 PM
DAILY DISPATCH Checking in from the Shoreline as I Kick Off A Busy Week of Podcast Recordings
I’ll be interviewing Esther Walker, with the Outride Bike program, which is conducting research on the cognitive benefits of cycling, and I’ll be on the Cities In Motion podcast
youtube.com/shorts/sUVQz...
I’ll be interviewing Esther Walker, with the Outride Bike program, which is conducting research on the cognitive benefits of cycling, and I’ll be on the Cities In Motion podcast
youtube.com/shorts/sUVQz...
WEEKLY UPDATE: Here’s my weekly update for the week of January 12, 2025. Featured in this edition: An on-bike interview with Ryan Short discussing his new book, The Civic Brand: The Power and Responsibility of Place, Episode 323 with Mara Mintzer from Growing Up Boulder. 👇
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
January 12, 2026 at 4:24 PM
WEEKLY UPDATE: Here’s my weekly update for the week of January 12, 2025. Featured in this edition: An on-bike interview with Ryan Short discussing his new book, The Civic Brand: The Power and Responsibility of Place, Episode 323 with Mara Mintzer from Growing Up Boulder. 👇
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
DAILY DISPATCH: A Time for Reflection, Your Moment of Zen
On Sundays, I like to take a moment to reflect. I invite you to pause to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean here in Kailua-Kona.
youtube.com/shorts/TxUQe...
On Sundays, I like to take a moment to reflect. I invite you to pause to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean here in Kailua-Kona.
youtube.com/shorts/TxUQe...
DAILY DISPATCH: A Time for Reflection, Your Moment of Zen
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
January 11, 2026 at 5:58 PM
DAILY DISPATCH: A Time for Reflection, Your Moment of Zen
On Sundays, I like to take a moment to reflect. I invite you to pause to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean here in Kailua-Kona.
youtube.com/shorts/TxUQe...
On Sundays, I like to take a moment to reflect. I invite you to pause to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean here in Kailua-Kona.
youtube.com/shorts/TxUQe...
ICYMI Here's a very short excerpt from my fascinating conversation with Mara Mintzer, Co-founder and Executive Director of Growing Up Boulder, whose mission is to center young people's rights, voices, and agency to advance equitable and sustainable communities for all.
youtube.com/shorts/KEeAP...
youtube.com/shorts/KEeAP...
TEASER EPISODE 323: Getting Youth into Nature and Listening to Their Input #shorts
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
January 10, 2026 at 11:42 PM
ICYMI Here's a very short excerpt from my fascinating conversation with Mara Mintzer, Co-founder and Executive Director of Growing Up Boulder, whose mission is to center young people's rights, voices, and agency to advance equitable and sustainable communities for all.
youtube.com/shorts/KEeAP...
youtube.com/shorts/KEeAP...
DAILY DISPATCH I was kicking off the weekend this morning with a little wave therapy and coffee, of course, when a school of dolphins decided to swim by. Try to get outside, do something active in nature, and pause to reflect on the beauty all around us. Aloha everyone 🌺
youtube.com/shorts/RmDZX...
youtube.com/shorts/RmDZX...
DAILY DISPATCH: Dolphins 🐬 Making a Surprise Visit at Sunrise - Saturday, January 10, 2026
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:30 PM
DAILY DISPATCH I was kicking off the weekend this morning with a little wave therapy and coffee, of course, when a school of dolphins decided to swim by. Try to get outside, do something active in nature, and pause to reflect on the beauty all around us. Aloha everyone 🌺
youtube.com/shorts/RmDZX...
youtube.com/shorts/RmDZX...
DAILY DISPATCH: Just the Waves, No Narration - A 3-Minute Break from the Insanity
The sunset and waves were stunning last night, so y'all get a bonus #short for a bit of wave therapy. I hope you enjoy this 3-minutes of zen. Much Aloha
youtube.com/shorts/l4anS...
The sunset and waves were stunning last night, so y'all get a bonus #short for a bit of wave therapy. I hope you enjoy this 3-minutes of zen. Much Aloha
youtube.com/shorts/l4anS...
DAILY DISPATCH: Just the Waves, No Narration - A 3-Minute Break from the Insanity
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
January 10, 2026 at 6:34 PM
DAILY DISPATCH: Just the Waves, No Narration - A 3-Minute Break from the Insanity
The sunset and waves were stunning last night, so y'all get a bonus #short for a bit of wave therapy. I hope you enjoy this 3-minutes of zen. Much Aloha
youtube.com/shorts/l4anS...
The sunset and waves were stunning last night, so y'all get a bonus #short for a bit of wave therapy. I hope you enjoy this 3-minutes of zen. Much Aloha
youtube.com/shorts/l4anS...
DAILY DISPATCH: Make 'em Legal Again
I'm back in Kona today and wanted to highlight some of these locally owned small businesses along Ali`i Drive, within walking distance of the house, and many other residences. We need to update land-use codes to make these legal again
youtube.com/shorts/zZQMa...
I'm back in Kona today and wanted to highlight some of these locally owned small businesses along Ali`i Drive, within walking distance of the house, and many other residences. We need to update land-use codes to make these legal again
youtube.com/shorts/zZQMa...
DAILY DISPATCH: Make 'em Legal Again - Corner Stores, Markets, Cafes, etc.
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtube.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:44 AM
DAILY DISPATCH: Make 'em Legal Again
I'm back in Kona today and wanted to highlight some of these locally owned small businesses along Ali`i Drive, within walking distance of the house, and many other residences. We need to update land-use codes to make these legal again
youtube.com/shorts/zZQMa...
I'm back in Kona today and wanted to highlight some of these locally owned small businesses along Ali`i Drive, within walking distance of the house, and many other residences. We need to update land-use codes to make these legal again
youtube.com/shorts/zZQMa...