The War on Cars

Charles T. Brown is a longtime friend of the podcast who was last with us in 2023. We welcomed him back to talk about his important new book, Arrested Mobility: Overcoming the Threat to Black Movement, out now from Island Press. Charles is the founder and principal of Equitable Cities, a minority- and veteran-owned urban planning, public policy and research firm focused at the intersection of transportation, health and equity. He is also an adjunct professor at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.  In Arrested Mobility, Charles applies his years of experience in the field to examine how what he calls “the four Ps”—policing, public policy, polity, and planning—come together to hold Black people back in fundamental ways, limiting their literal and figurative mobility. We talked about how to repair our cities, the importance of Black leadership, and what it truly means to “love thy neighbor”—as an urban planner and as a member of a community. ***Our new book, Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile, will be published on October 21, 2025 by Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Pre-order now.*** Support The War on Cars on Patreon and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, Discord access, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! This episode was produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation. We are also supported by Cleverhood. Listen to the episode for the latest discount on the best and most stylish rain gear for walking and cycling. Learn more about how an electric cargo bike can change your life and save $500 off a new bike with code WARONCARS500 at Xtracycle. LINKS:  Buy Charles T. Brown’s book, Arrested Mobility: Overcoming the Threat to Black Movement, at our Bookshop page. Check out Charles’s Arrested Mobility podcast and find out more about his work. thewaroncars.org / lifeaftercars.com

Marco te Brömmelstroet, known as 'The Fietsprofessor,' is a leading expert on urban mobility at the University of Amsterdam. In a fascinating discussion, he explores the concept of motonormativity and how societal biases favor cars over cycling. He delves into the interplay of public perception, cultural histories, and infrastructure advocacy. Marco also highlights the importance of storytelling in reshaping our view of urban spaces and the need for inclusive dialogues. His insights challenge us to rethink our mobility practices and their impact on community well-being.

Katelyn Burns, an independent journalist and co-host of the Cancel Me, Daddy podcast, dives into the unique intersections of urban planning and transgender experiences. She explores how dense cities offer safety and community for trans individuals, discusses the engaging 'trans on trains' meme, and connects it all to the gaming world of Cities: Skylines. Katelyn emphasizes the crucial role of inclusive transit systems and shares how these urban spaces foster connections and advocacy among marginalized communities.

In this intriguing discussion, Ed Niedermeyer sheds light on the rising Tesla takedown movement. He highlights community action and grassroots protests as powerful tools against corporate influence. The conversation dives into the concerning alliance between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, emphasizing the societal impacts of such relationships. Niedermeyer argues that organized protests could effectively diminish Musk's power and influence. It's a thought-provoking exploration of activism in the face of corporate giants.

Join Ed Niedermeyer, journalist and author of "Ludicrous: The Unvarnished Story of Tesla Motors," and Laura Starr, organizer of the Tesla Takedown protests in California. They dive into the grassroots movement rising against Tesla dealerships, fueled by frustrations over Elon Musk's political connections. Niedermeyer shares insights on how these protests could impact Tesla’s bottom line, while Starr highlights the community mobilization and the deeply personal motivations behind the protests. It's a compelling conversation on reclaiming civic space and collective action.

Marco te Brömmelstroet, also known as "The Fietsprofessor," is the Chair on Urban Mobility Futures at the University of Amsterdam and an expert on cycling culture. In this riveting discussion, he presents a new study on motonormativity, revealing why society accepts the dangers of cars while questioning biases that favor them over cycling. He contrasts transportation cultures and examines the need for advocacy against car dominance, highlighting the delicate balance between radical and moderate strategies in social movements for urban change.

Trump’s on-again-off-again tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico are causing chaos across the entire economy, but they’re hitting the auto industry especially hard. The big three U.S. automakers rely on an integrated supply and manufacturing process that sees raw materials and parts crossing international borders multiple times before each finished car rolls off the assembly line. The tariffs come at a time when the cost of car ownership is already sky-high, and when trying to find an affordable sedan from a domestic manufacturer is essentially impossible. David Zipper, a Senior Fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative, returns to the podcast to discuss the effects Trump’s economic “policies” (if you can call them that) are having on one of the nation’s most important industries. Needless to say, this isn’t how anyone should want to win the war on cars. *** Support The War on Cars on Patreon and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, Discord access, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! *** This episode was produced with support from the Helen and William Mazer Foundation and Cleverhood. Listen to the episode for the latest discount on the best and most stylish rain gear for walking and cycling. Save 15% on the amazing Arclight Pedals and everything from Redshift Sports with code WARONCARS at checkout. LINKS: Learn more about David and read his writing at DavidZipper.com. “Detroit killed the sedan. Trump’s trade war will make them wish they hadn’t” (David in Fast Company) “Why car companies should fear the golf cart” (David in Fast Company) “One of the Biggest Victims of Trump’s Metals Tariffs: The Ford F-150” (WSJ) “Dealer Tells Fox Business ‘Nobody Is Gonna Buy’ Trucks Thanks to Tariffs”(Motor1.com) Pick up official podcast tees and other merch in our official store.  This episode was edited by Doug Gordon. It was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the Brooklyn Podcasting Studio. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg.  TheWarOnCars.org

Laura Laker, a London-based freelance journalist and author of "Potholes and Pavements," shares her adventurous year cycling through Britain’s National Cycle Network. She discusses the myriad benefits of cycling, from health to community engagement, and emphasizes the importance of infrastructure for safer routes. Laker also tackles road safety, advocating for better media reporting to change public perceptions. Her experiences highlight grassroots efforts advocating for safer cycling, alongside a critical view of London's evolving transport policies.

Dave Colon, known as America's beloved congestion pricing expert, dives into the escalating battle over New York's congestion pricing amidst the Trump administration's backlash. He sheds light on the program's early successes and the political turmoil following the rescinding of its approval. The conversation uncovers the absurdities of transportation policy decisions, reflects on legal complexities, and emphasizes the importance of local advocacy in the face of federal opposition. Colon's insights reveal a dynamic intersection of urbanism, politics, and community engagement.

Beth Osborne, executive director of Transportation for America and former official at the U.S. Department of Transportation, shares insights on the chaotic state of federal transportation funding amid the recent government upheavals. She discusses the troubling impacts of funding freezes on public transit, biking, and EV infrastructure. Osborne highlights the critical need for equitable funding in rural areas and critiques current transportation policy shifts. She emphasizes grassroots advocacy as essential for defending vital projects in our communities.