The Brake: A Streetsblog Podcast

Exploring how Baby Boomers shaped America's car-centric transportation system, the podcast discusses their role in climate decisions and the need for sustainable solutions. From personal investment choices to collective action and civil disobedience in activism, the episode highlights engaging Boomers in climate conversations and advocating for change.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer discusses the impact of the bipartisan infrastructure law on sustainable transportation, emphasizing the benefits for cyclists and pedestrians. He advocates for safe streets programs, bike safety funding, and the importance of bipartisan support for cycling initiatives. Blumenauer believes bikes can bridge political divides and promote a more sustainable future.

Legendary author and climate activist Bill McKibben discusses the importance of reducing car dependency and promoting walking to combat the climate crisis. He highlights the benefits of pedestrian-friendly environments, policy changes for sustainable transportation, and the joy of choosing walking over driving. McKibben challenges audiences to embrace walking as a way to address the climate crisis and enhance well-being.

In this episode, Renee Autumn Ray discusses her recent report on understanding AI & transportation. They explore the current applications of AI in transportation, including crash data analysis, parking enforcement, and creating human-centered streets. They also discuss the barriers for governments in utilizing AI and the risks and potential misuse of the technology. The episode concludes by exploring the ethical dilemmas and potential of autonomous vehicles.

Kea Wilson talks to Dr. Bruce Appleyard about designing livable streets in the era of driverless cars, prioritizing human travel and safety in autonomous vehicle design, and the challenge of creating livable streets. They also discuss Dr. Appleyard's book on the topic and the ongoing work to make streets more human-centric.

John Bolecek, a former bicycle and pedestrian planner, discusses his battle with long COVID and how it impacted his active transportation lifestyle. The podcast explores the challenges individuals face with long COVID symptoms and the importance of inclusive transportation options despite accessibility barriers.

Dr. Kimberly Nicholas, researcher and best-selling author, discusses effective car-cutting strategies in European cities and their potential for America. Topics include congestion-bracing, traffic limitations, challenges in achieving climate goals, transition management, successful strategies like congestion charges and free transit, and the importance of experimentation and collaboration.

Advocates Alex Burns and José Antonio Zayas Cabán discuss transforming highways into boulevards for community benefit, rejecting band-aid solutions. They share insights on encouraging communities to dream bigger and tackle racial harm inflicted by highways.

Veronica O. Davis discusses the need for an inclusive transportation approach to repair divided communities in the face of federal investment. She emphasizes prioritizing resources in high-injury areas, community engagement in projects, and advocating for non-car modes of transportation for equity and well-being.

State transportation bills may not get as much attention as their federal counterparts, but they have a colossal impact on how we get around. And the state of Minnesota may have just created one of the most exciting blueprints yet for progressive governments across the country to follow — even if it took them the better part of three decades to do it. On this episode of The Brake, we sit down with two Minnesota lawmakers and transportation committee chairmen — Senator Scott Dibble and Representative Frank Hornstein — to unpack what's in their massive new transportation finance and policy bill, as well as how it will help the Land of 10,000 lakes meet its ambitious driving reduction goals, and what other communities can learn from their fight to get it over the finish line.  Listen in, check out the full text of the bill here, or head over to Streetsblog for a cheat sheet.