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.
It’s good to be back in beautiful Palm Beach, having barely escaped the wintery weather in the Netherlands for a @dutchcycling.nl ThinkBike Workshop with the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
We also managed to tack on public events in Miami, Austin, and Elkhart.
Details: modacitylife.com/events
We also managed to tack on public events in Miami, Austin, and Elkhart.
Details: modacitylife.com/events
January 12, 2026 at 5:13 PM
It’s good to be back in beautiful Palm Beach, having barely escaped the wintery weather in the Netherlands for a @dutchcycling.nl ThinkBike Workshop with the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
We also managed to tack on public events in Miami, Austin, and Elkhart.
Details: modacitylife.com/events
We also managed to tack on public events in Miami, Austin, and Elkhart.
Details: modacitylife.com/events
"The book captures a rich blend of urgency, agency and imagination. In positioning imagination as an act of resistance, it provides essential contribution to contemporary urban discourse—and rightfully deserves a place in every urbanism library."
Women Changing Cities in RIAS Review: bit.ly/3NlzOkF
Women Changing Cities in RIAS Review: bit.ly/3NlzOkF
January 9, 2026 at 4:08 PM
"The book captures a rich blend of urgency, agency and imagination. In positioning imagination as an act of resistance, it provides essential contribution to contemporary urban discourse—and rightfully deserves a place in every urbanism library."
Women Changing Cities in RIAS Review: bit.ly/3NlzOkF
Women Changing Cities in RIAS Review: bit.ly/3NlzOkF
Next weekend, we're visiting Austin, Texas for an inspiring afternoon centered on our new book, 'Women Changing Cities'.
This is a special opportunity to hear how women leaders—mayors, planners, advocates, and policymakers—are reshaping cities to be more equitable, sustainable, and people-centered.
This is a special opportunity to hear how women leaders—mayors, planners, advocates, and policymakers—are reshaping cities to be more equitable, sustainable, and people-centered.
January 9, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Next weekend, we're visiting Austin, Texas for an inspiring afternoon centered on our new book, 'Women Changing Cities'.
This is a special opportunity to hear how women leaders—mayors, planners, advocates, and policymakers—are reshaping cities to be more equitable, sustainable, and people-centered.
This is a special opportunity to hear how women leaders—mayors, planners, advocates, and policymakers—are reshaping cities to be more equitable, sustainable, and people-centered.
There's no such thing as bad weather…
January 4, 2026 at 3:27 PM
There's no such thing as bad weather…
Selfie or it didn’t happen!
January 4, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Selfie or it didn’t happen!
Goedemorgen vanuit een besneeuwd Delft.
January 4, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Goedemorgen vanuit een besneeuwd Delft.
“By staying authentic to a vision—to not dwell solely on the problems, but shine a light on the potential—the goal remains to help more cities not only survive, but thrive.”
Melissa reflects on an eventful first year as a solo entrepreneur, and anticipates a new year of authenticity: bit.ly/3LljcZE
Melissa reflects on an eventful first year as a solo entrepreneur, and anticipates a new year of authenticity: bit.ly/3LljcZE
January 1, 2026 at 1:42 PM
“By staying authentic to a vision—to not dwell solely on the problems, but shine a light on the potential—the goal remains to help more cities not only survive, but thrive.”
Melissa reflects on an eventful first year as a solo entrepreneur, and anticipates a new year of authenticity: bit.ly/3LljcZE
Melissa reflects on an eventful first year as a solo entrepreneur, and anticipates a new year of authenticity: bit.ly/3LljcZE
These global stories of urban transformation didn’t happen by accident; they’re driven by new styles of leadership willing to push back against the status quo. Learn more in our new book, ‘Women Changing Cities,’ which is available wherever fine books are sold: www.modacitylife.com/women-changi... 🔚
December 28, 2025 at 11:28 AM
These global stories of urban transformation didn’t happen by accident; they’re driven by new styles of leadership willing to push back against the status quo. Learn more in our new book, ‘Women Changing Cities,’ which is available wherever fine books are sold: www.modacitylife.com/women-changi... 🔚
🔟 In Sydney, Lord Mayor Clover Moore has focused on design, innovation and sustainability to shape a beautiful and liveable city for the twenty-first century. On her watch, cycling rates have increased by 163%—and the number of women biking by 15%—with over 40,000 residents riding in a typical week.
December 28, 2025 at 11:26 AM
🔟 In Sydney, Lord Mayor Clover Moore has focused on design, innovation and sustainability to shape a beautiful and liveable city for the twenty-first century. On her watch, cycling rates have increased by 163%—and the number of women biking by 15%—with over 40,000 residents riding in a typical week.
9️⃣ Paris’ hostile streets are finding a new life as Mayor Anne Hidalgo has swiftly transformed it from a city for passing through to a city for passing time. Such bold steps include 1,000 kilometres of cycling routes, 300 school streets, removing 70,000 car parking spaces, and planting 145,000 trees.
December 28, 2025 at 11:24 AM
9️⃣ Paris’ hostile streets are finding a new life as Mayor Anne Hidalgo has swiftly transformed it from a city for passing through to a city for passing time. Such bold steps include 1,000 kilometres of cycling routes, 300 school streets, removing 70,000 car parking spaces, and planting 145,000 trees.
8️⃣ In Tirana, Deputy Mayor Anuela Ristani has introduced a child-friendly lens to the planning processes of a chaotic city, with unparalleled investments in public playgrounds (one for each month in office), school streets (at a rate of 20 per year), and bike infrastructure (totalling 58 kilometres).
December 28, 2025 at 11:22 AM
8️⃣ In Tirana, Deputy Mayor Anuela Ristani has introduced a child-friendly lens to the planning processes of a chaotic city, with unparalleled investments in public playgrounds (one for each month in office), school streets (at a rate of 20 per year), and bike infrastructure (totalling 58 kilometres).
7️⃣ Journalist and advocate Keisha Mayuga has sparked a cycling revolution in Manila, leveraging the global pandemic as an opportunity to create one temporary bike lane in her city that eventually led to the establishment of over 1,500 kilometres of permanent infrastructure throughout the Philippines.
December 28, 2025 at 11:20 AM
7️⃣ Journalist and advocate Keisha Mayuga has sparked a cycling revolution in Manila, leveraging the global pandemic as an opportunity to create one temporary bike lane in her city that eventually led to the establishment of over 1,500 kilometres of permanent infrastructure throughout the Philippines.
6️⃣ Under Mayor Valérie Plante, Montréal rolled out the continent’s most ambitious car-free program, pedestrianising nine kilometres along 11 commercial arteries each summer with a $12-million investment, helping 2,100 entrepreneurs thrive, while also delivering 191 kilometres of protected bike lanes.
December 28, 2025 at 11:18 AM
6️⃣ Under Mayor Valérie Plante, Montréal rolled out the continent’s most ambitious car-free program, pedestrianising nine kilometres along 11 commercial arteries each summer with a $12-million investment, helping 2,100 entrepreneurs thrive, while also delivering 191 kilometres of protected bike lanes.
5️⃣ In Kampala, Planner Amanda Ngabirano has shown remarkable determination through a decade-long quest to turn her experience of life on two wheels while completing her Master’s in the Netherlands into a reality with the creation of two non-motorised corridors in the city’s central business district.
December 28, 2025 at 11:17 AM
5️⃣ In Kampala, Planner Amanda Ngabirano has shown remarkable determination through a decade-long quest to turn her experience of life on two wheels while completing her Master’s in the Netherlands into a reality with the creation of two non-motorised corridors in the city’s central business district.
4️⃣ Under Mobility Minister Elke van den Brandt, Brussels has started a shift from a car-choked city of corridors to a salon city. A new circulation plan and 30 km/h speed limit have cut car traffic by 30%, increased cycling by 36%, reduced crashes by 22%, and halved both traffic fatalities and noise.
December 28, 2025 at 11:11 AM
4️⃣ Under Mobility Minister Elke van den Brandt, Brussels has started a shift from a car-choked city of corridors to a salon city. A new circulation plan and 30 km/h speed limit have cut car traffic by 30%, increased cycling by 36%, reduced crashes by 22%, and halved both traffic fatalities and noise.
3️⃣ In New Delhi, entrepreneur Kalpana Viswanath has drastically changed the conversation about public space and transportation by centring women’s perceptions of safety—helping government officials recognise how fear and comfort often determine how people move through the city and access opportunity.
December 28, 2025 at 11:09 AM
3️⃣ In New Delhi, entrepreneur Kalpana Viswanath has drastically changed the conversation about public space and transportation by centring women’s perceptions of safety—helping government officials recognise how fear and comfort often determine how people move through the city and access opportunity.
2️⃣ In Bogotá, Mayor Claudia López tackled the hidden burden of unpaid care work (the daily unpaid tasks of running a household) by creating neighbourhood “Care Blocks”—community assets that also helped shift travel habits—boosting walking and cycling by 6% and reducing car trips by 15% in four years.
December 28, 2025 at 11:07 AM
2️⃣ In Bogotá, Mayor Claudia López tackled the hidden burden of unpaid care work (the daily unpaid tasks of running a household) by creating neighbourhood “Care Blocks”—community assets that also helped shift travel habits—boosting walking and cycling by 6% and reducing car trips by 15% in four years.
1️⃣ Under Mayor Ada Colau, Barcelona completely rewrote the rules of urban space: reclaiming a million square metres for pedestrians, tripling its cycle network to 273 kilometres, adding 80 hectares of green space, halving car traffic, and cutting street-level air pollution by 20% in just eight years.
December 28, 2025 at 11:04 AM
1️⃣ Under Mayor Ada Colau, Barcelona completely rewrote the rules of urban space: reclaiming a million square metres for pedestrians, tripling its cycle network to 273 kilometres, adding 80 hectares of green space, halving car traffic, and cutting street-level air pollution by 20% in just eight years.
As urbanisation accelerates, cities are grappling with unprecedented pressures—from chronic housing shortages to streets overwhelmed by cars. In response, a small but growing group of leaders is matching the scale of the challenge—steering toward a more prosperous, resilient and sustainable future.🧵
December 28, 2025 at 11:01 AM
As urbanisation accelerates, cities are grappling with unprecedented pressures—from chronic housing shortages to streets overwhelmed by cars. In response, a small but growing group of leaders is matching the scale of the challenge—steering toward a more prosperous, resilient and sustainable future.🧵
“In Utrecht, the bike is not an end in itself. It is a means to create a liveable, healthy, climate-friendly city for all. The success can be admired in the inner city. It is lively and yet quiet at the same time. Here, it's noticeable: Cities aren't loud; only cars are, and they play no role here.”
December 26, 2025 at 5:23 PM
“In Utrecht, the bike is not an end in itself. It is a means to create a liveable, healthy, climate-friendly city for all. The success can be admired in the inner city. It is lively and yet quiet at the same time. Here, it's noticeable: Cities aren't loud; only cars are, and they play no role here.”
From our home in Delft to yours—wherever that may be—wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
We’re putting our passports aside for a few weeks to rest and recharge, but 2026 is already shaping up to be our busiest yet, with exciting projects and inspiring travels ahead. Until then!
We’re putting our passports aside for a few weeks to rest and recharge, but 2026 is already shaping up to be our busiest yet, with exciting projects and inspiring travels ahead. Until then!
December 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
From our home in Delft to yours—wherever that may be—wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
We’re putting our passports aside for a few weeks to rest and recharge, but 2026 is already shaping up to be our busiest yet, with exciting projects and inspiring travels ahead. Until then!
We’re putting our passports aside for a few weeks to rest and recharge, but 2026 is already shaping up to be our busiest yet, with exciting projects and inspiring travels ahead. Until then!
After launching "Women Changing Cities" in Vancouver, Amsterdam, London, Shanghai and Miami, we're delighted to bring these global stories of urban transformation to Berlin.
Join us February 12 in partnership with Women in Cycling and the Netherlands Embassy in Germany. Free tickets: bit.ly/4pDh7Y2
Join us February 12 in partnership with Women in Cycling and the Netherlands Embassy in Germany. Free tickets: bit.ly/4pDh7Y2
December 22, 2025 at 1:40 PM
After launching "Women Changing Cities" in Vancouver, Amsterdam, London, Shanghai and Miami, we're delighted to bring these global stories of urban transformation to Berlin.
Join us February 12 in partnership with Women in Cycling and the Netherlands Embassy in Germany. Free tickets: bit.ly/4pDh7Y2
Join us February 12 in partnership with Women in Cycling and the Netherlands Embassy in Germany. Free tickets: bit.ly/4pDh7Y2
A new World Bank report calls on governments to create dedicated Livable Streets Investment Programs, steadily scaling funding to 10% of road budgets by 2035.
Why? Because livable streets deliver some of the highest returns in transport investment—up to €16 per €1 spent: investinlivablestreets.info
Why? Because livable streets deliver some of the highest returns in transport investment—up to €16 per €1 spent: investinlivablestreets.info
December 19, 2025 at 9:15 AM
A new World Bank report calls on governments to create dedicated Livable Streets Investment Programs, steadily scaling funding to 10% of road budgets by 2035.
Why? Because livable streets deliver some of the highest returns in transport investment—up to €16 per €1 spent: investinlivablestreets.info
Why? Because livable streets deliver some of the highest returns in transport investment—up to €16 per €1 spent: investinlivablestreets.info
Hey Miami!
The stars have aligned above your fair city, and—for one night only—we'll be sharing the stage with our friends at @thewaroncars.bsky.social for a double book feature and live podcast recording in partnership with @transitmia.bsky.social.
Get your tickets while they last: bit.ly/3Ygeek5
The stars have aligned above your fair city, and—for one night only—we'll be sharing the stage with our friends at @thewaroncars.bsky.social for a double book feature and live podcast recording in partnership with @transitmia.bsky.social.
Get your tickets while they last: bit.ly/3Ygeek5
December 18, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Hey Miami!
The stars have aligned above your fair city, and—for one night only—we'll be sharing the stage with our friends at @thewaroncars.bsky.social for a double book feature and live podcast recording in partnership with @transitmia.bsky.social.
Get your tickets while they last: bit.ly/3Ygeek5
The stars have aligned above your fair city, and—for one night only—we'll be sharing the stage with our friends at @thewaroncars.bsky.social for a double book feature and live podcast recording in partnership with @transitmia.bsky.social.
Get your tickets while they last: bit.ly/3Ygeek5
While some cities still say, “That would never work here,” others are setting aside excuses and turning ambition into action—reclaiming streets, reimagining mobility, and shaping safer, more inclusive public spaces.
These are 35 cities in 20 countries we visited this year that are leading the way.🧵
These are 35 cities in 20 countries we visited this year that are leading the way.🧵
December 15, 2025 at 6:48 AM
While some cities still say, “That would never work here,” others are setting aside excuses and turning ambition into action—reclaiming streets, reimagining mobility, and shaping safer, more inclusive public spaces.
These are 35 cities in 20 countries we visited this year that are leading the way.🧵
These are 35 cities in 20 countries we visited this year that are leading the way.🧵