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
WEEKLY UPDATE: Aloha Everyone, Here’s my weekly update for the Active Towns Channel for the week of January 26, 2026, featuring bike tours of the Daybreak and Mueller "new urbanist" communities and a convo with Esther Walker, PhD, Executive Director of Outride.
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
January 26, 2026 at 4:09 PM
WEEKLY UPDATE: Aloha Everyone, Here’s my weekly update for the Active Towns Channel for the week of January 26, 2026, featuring bike tours of the Daybreak and Mueller "new urbanist" communities and a convo with Esther Walker, PhD, Executive Director of Outride.
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
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/...
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/...
WEEKLY UPDATE We year 11 with a look at defined and undefined active mobility spaces, we wrap up the SLC cycle network staff tour, and finally, we flashback to my 2022 convo with Dutchman Lennart Nout, Director of Mobycon Pacific in New Zealand
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
January 5, 2026 at 9:41 PM
WEEKLY UPDATE We year 11 with a look at defined and undefined active mobility spaces, we wrap up the SLC cycle network staff tour, and finally, we flashback to my 2022 convo with Dutchman Lennart Nout, Director of Mobycon Pacific in New Zealand
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
WEEKLY UPDATE & END OF YEAR REFLECTIONS: Coast to coast Amtrak & Brompton bicycle tour, a plaza and parks revitalization of a struggling historic downtown, the financial sustainability of parks & recreation programs, and a Freiberg flashback.
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
December 28, 2025 at 6:17 PM
WEEKLY UPDATE & END OF YEAR REFLECTIONS: Coast to coast Amtrak & Brompton bicycle tour, a plaza and parks revitalization of a struggling historic downtown, the financial sustainability of parks & recreation programs, and a Freiberg flashback.
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
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/...
Here's the journal article written with past Pod guest and friend of the Channel @grantennis.bsky.social that prompted the recording of this episode: bit.ly/4iHFql6
December 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Here's the journal article written with past Pod guest and friend of the Channel @grantennis.bsky.social that prompted the recording of this episode: bit.ly/4iHFql6
We Think We Love Driving (But We Don’t):
"The research I present below suggests our attachment to driving has more to do with fear of change than real enjoyment."
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind...
"The research I present below suggests our attachment to driving has more to do with fear of change than real enjoyment."
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind...
December 2, 2025 at 5:51 PM
We Think We Love Driving (But We Don’t):
"The research I present below suggests our attachment to driving has more to do with fear of change than real enjoyment."
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind...
"The research I present below suggests our attachment to driving has more to do with fear of change than real enjoyment."
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind...
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/...
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/...
I have had the honor of working with @strongtowns.org since 2012 and have created a fantastic playlist of profile videos, podcast episodes, and even a handful of walking interviews with @clmarohn.bsky.social, which you can access here: bit.ly/StrongTownsP...
November 13, 2025 at 12:17 PM
I have had the honor of working with @strongtowns.org since 2012 and have created a fantastic playlist of profile videos, podcast episodes, and even a handful of walking interviews with @clmarohn.bsky.social, which you can access here: bit.ly/StrongTownsP...
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/...
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/...
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
Hi Everyone! Here’s my Active Towns weekly update. I’m excited to share two videos exploring Boulder’s continually improving cycle network, an interview with Brompton Bicycle USA’s President, Juliet Scott-Croxford and a flashback to my chat w/ Ray Delahanty, Mr. City Nerd
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
October 26, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Hi Everyone! Here’s my Active Towns weekly update. I’m excited to share two videos exploring Boulder’s continually improving cycle network, an interview with Brompton Bicycle USA’s President, Juliet Scott-Croxford and a flashback to my chat w/ Ray Delahanty, Mr. City Nerd
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Friday, October 24th, at 2 pm EST for my conversation with the President of @bromptonbicycle.bsky.social USA, Juliet Scott-Croxford, about the freedom and independence of a life unfolded with these fantastic marvels of engineering.
youtu.be/stsJ9UhfrEQ
youtu.be/stsJ9UhfrEQ
October 24, 2025 at 9:52 AM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Friday, October 24th, at 2 pm EST for my conversation with the President of @bromptonbicycle.bsky.social USA, Juliet Scott-Croxford, about the freedom and independence of a life unfolded with these fantastic marvels of engineering.
youtu.be/stsJ9UhfrEQ
youtu.be/stsJ9UhfrEQ
Hi Everyone! Here’s my October 19, 2025, edition of the Active Towns weekly update. You’ll find nuggets from Bentonville, explore Life After Cars, and turn back the clock on Tactical Urbanism.
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
October 19, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Hi Everyone! Here’s my October 19, 2025, edition of the Active Towns weekly update. You’ll find nuggets from Bentonville, explore Life After Cars, and turn back the clock on Tactical Urbanism.
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
PREMIERE REMINDER: Please join us tomorrow, Friday, October 17th, at 2 pm EST for a conversation with @brooklynspoke.bsky.social and @sgoodyear.bsky.social about their new book Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile.
The link for the Premiere is in the comments below.
The link for the Premiere is in the comments below.
October 16, 2025 at 11:11 AM
PREMIERE REMINDER: Please join us tomorrow, Friday, October 17th, at 2 pm EST for a conversation with @brooklynspoke.bsky.social and @sgoodyear.bsky.social about their new book Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile.
The link for the Premiere is in the comments below.
The link for the Premiere is in the comments below.
PREMIERE ALERT: Pls plan to tune in this Friday, October 17th, at 2 pm EST for my conversation with Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear about their new book Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile.
Link for the Premiere in the comments below. Until then, enjoy this teaser
Link for the Premiere in the comments below. Until then, enjoy this teaser
October 14, 2025 at 10:40 PM
PREMIERE ALERT: Pls plan to tune in this Friday, October 17th, at 2 pm EST for my conversation with Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear about their new book Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile.
Link for the Premiere in the comments below. Until then, enjoy this teaser
Link for the Premiere in the comments below. Until then, enjoy this teaser
Here’s my summary of this past week’s activity, which includes an inspiring bike bus in Denver, a Dutch professor studying the historical context of cycling in global cities, an infrastructure celebration/fundraiser in Austin, & a look back at the 2022 Streets Project doc
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
October 12, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Here’s my summary of this past week’s activity, which includes an inspiring bike bus in Denver, a Dutch professor studying the historical context of cycling in global cities, an infrastructure celebration/fundraiser in Austin, & a look back at the 2022 Streets Project doc
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
WEEKLY UPDATE: Hi Everyone, Here’s my Active Towns Weekly Update for October 6, 2025… yes, I know it’s out a little late since I was traveling back to Austin from Boulder yesterday. The good news is that bonus material is included for ya, so enjoy! 😁
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
October 7, 2025 at 11:55 AM
WEEKLY UPDATE: Hi Everyone, Here’s my Active Towns Weekly Update for October 6, 2025… yes, I know it’s out a little late since I was traveling back to Austin from Boulder yesterday. The good news is that bonus material is included for ya, so enjoy! 😁
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
ICYMI: On Tues, I released Ep 310 feat. Michael Lovato. We discuss the backstory of how he and his wife, Amanda Lovato, landed in Boulder, the tough early years as a young couple of professional triathletes, and then their transition to the real estate profession.
www.activetowns.org/2025/10/02/l...
www.activetowns.org/2025/10/02/l...
October 2, 2025 at 1:19 PM
ICYMI: On Tues, I released Ep 310 feat. Michael Lovato. We discuss the backstory of how he and his wife, Amanda Lovato, landed in Boulder, the tough early years as a young couple of professional triathletes, and then their transition to the real estate profession.
www.activetowns.org/2025/10/02/l...
www.activetowns.org/2025/10/02/l...
BOULDER: Another beautiful sunrise on the flatirons. Today I’ll be filming on-bike interviews in Boulder and Golden.
#activetownstour
#activetownstour
September 29, 2025 at 1:47 PM
BOULDER: Another beautiful sunrise on the flatirons. Today I’ll be filming on-bike interviews in Boulder and Golden.
#activetownstour
#activetownstour
Rolling along past the Broadway bike path on my way to Denver Union Station on the FF1 RTD bus.
September 28, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Rolling along past the Broadway bike path on my way to Denver Union Station on the FF1 RTD bus.
WEEKLY UPDATE: Hi everyone, here’s my recap for the week, featuring a 1550+ mile trail across Texas, a bike ride to the Copenhagen airport, a conversation about reclaiming our roads, and a Fort Collins open streets profile from the archives.
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
September 28, 2025 at 12:39 PM
WEEKLY UPDATE: Hi everyone, here’s my recap for the week, featuring a 1550+ mile trail across Texas, a bike ride to the Copenhagen airport, a conversation about reclaiming our roads, and a Fort Collins open streets profile from the archives.
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...
mailchi.mp/activetowns/...