In the last few years, major publications have been telling us that those buttons you push to activate the “walk” sign at an intersection don’t work. This might be true in major metros, but for the rest of America, the are very much alive and well, unfortunately.

I’ve owned my Sondors E-Bike for 3 weeks. Here’s my take...

Recently, I revisited Schenectady, New York. Here’s my take on this emerging center of Micro Urbanity

Haley Viccaro is the communications director for New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, former writer for The Daily Gazette in Schenectady, NY, and current Schenectady resident

Former Geneva City Manager Matt Horn talks about the intricacies of small city revitalization.

Recent reports show that Amtrak is poised to do something it’s never done... Make a profit. So why, when every form of transportation is government subsidized, is this key for rail in the U.S.?

Joseph Wicks is a special project manager at the Community Foundation of Herkimer/Oneida Counties.  Today I asked him about the $10 million state grant in Utica, huge economic projects on the horizon and how our cities can collaborate to create a strong roadmap for the future.  NOTE: This is a remote podcast (with me in Rochester and Mr. Wicks in Central NY)... the sound is not outstanding, but I hope the content trumps the quality!

A look back at what started this journey 5 years ago!

Matt Rogers doesn’t just make t-shirts, he tells a story of a city or neighborhood with every design he creates. Check out TransitApparel.com to see his work

A recent New York Post article calling Rochester “Grim and Depressing” has me fired up

We don’t need everyone to sell their car and move from their suburban homes into city apartments... we just need to help everyone take small steps

Jesse and I talk about bike infrastructure, advocacy, attitude and more

What used to be symbols of American freedom, like attaining a license, are quickly becoming a burden

People often ask me why I ride to work in the rain when I had a perfectly good car. Here’s my answer.

Laura and I talk about cycling in our communities, bike infrastructure, the challenges women face with cycling today and the fun of group riding opportunities

Nicholas Russo is a civil engineer from Pittsfield Massachusetts, and the creator of ThePittsfielder.org, an online publication that talks about smart urban design in his home city

Are you a “warm weather” cyclist? Grab some gear and challenge yourself to bike year round!

The newest safety features in cars accommodate careless driving... but we still put the onus on pedestrians to look out for themselves

Drivers have been given ultimate priority in our country. But that doesn’t stop them from disrespecting the little space pedestrians have left

Why a downtown that draws is a must for this sprawling city

A recent NYT article implied that automobile emissions have decreased in Rochester since 1990, where our neighbors in Buffalo and Syracuse saw an increase. Here’s the likely reason why...

A recent article in The Atlantic was the latest to reference the eye-popping financial losses from nearly every venture-capital-funded, app based ventures. But these companies aren’t losing money... they are changing the culture and banking on the fact that 10 years from now, automated tech will alleviate their financial responsibility to human workers

A recent opinion piece in the Buffalo News got me thinking about adding transit infrastructure versus reprioritization of transportation priorities

Carly Reynolds brings an “elevated” but approachable vibe to Rome with a new bistro. We talk about her business, her vision and how it ties in with Rome’s future

Recorded at Copper City Brewing, this interview features two “game changing” influencers in the small Central New York city of Rome

Michael is not only one of Syracuse’s greatest cheerleaders... he’s an instrumental part of that city’s re-emerging fabric. In this remote interview, we talk about the arts, architecture, urban revitalization and his vision for Syracuse’s future!

Yesterday I launched a UP post that compared Scotland’s rail network with that of the U.S. Here’s a short 6-minute follow up!

In this episode, I talk to Kevin about the Rochester 2034 Comprehensive Plan, Roc The Riverway, family life in the city and a host of other fantastic city-centered topics.

Someone asked me recently why bike riding, skateboarding and scootering was so important to me. I thought I might answer “on air.”

People move out of cities for safety from crime. But cities provide a safety net when we make bad choices or just get dealt a bad day...

Uber has lost an incredible amount of money... or have they? Investors are changing people’s minds about how we move about, and that could pay huge dividends down the line.

In a follow up to a recent blog post, I talk about the importance of micro mobility range

Recently I spent a day in Iceland... while a new rush of tourism has led to the construction of wide roads, trails, pedestrian and bikes access still cover the landscape

Most of our electric power is still generated from fossil fuels. The answer to our energy and environmental crisis isn’t electric cars, it’s smaller vehicles and living closer to everything

A 26 year old man was killed when his e-scooter was struck by an SUV in Nashville. Now scooters are banned from the streets. Why not cars?

Brooke Fossey found a beautiful way to blend her love of biking with a small business venture that adds character to her community

I was in Chicago last weekend. Chicago’s dedication to public space is simply incredible! Here are some thoughts on this, and on how other cities can apply these ideas.

There are many different definitions of a walkable environment. Here’s mine.

Sprawl isn’t just happening with regard to our metro areas, it’s happening within our own homes. Clearly, we are a nation moving farther apart in every way.

We spent more time in the backseats of cars at a time when traffic congestion was the highest... it’s not wonder we want our cities to look more like the college campuses

Legal right-on-reds on our American roads become a federal allowance in the 1970s as a result of the oil shortage. It’s time to make this unsafe practice illegal once again

I’m learning how to ride a skateboard. It’s given me a new perspective on why we should be patient with bikes and scooters on the sidewalk!

Our cities have work to do... but there’s nothing wrong with looking at the powerfully positive things we have accomplished

Bike organizations and active cyclists try to educate drivers on how to share the road with cyclists. But are they educating drivers on WHY people bike in the first place?

Scooter share is coming to Rochester as soon as this summer. What should we expect?

Summer 2019 will lead the UP down the path of multi-media as I attempt to show you why I love city living

When a business closes due to lack of patronage, who deserves the blame? When people want transit but no one uses it, who should be on the hook!?

City Streets Or Highways: Which Would You Remove?

Urbanists aren’t against cars. We are against an America in which the most expensive form of transportation is actively subsidized about all else

Small town Main Streets are great, but here’s where they differ from Urban Neighborhoods

Blaming political movements does nothing for our cities. Get involved and activate something positive

In 2018, two-thirds of Rochester’s bike share fleet was stolen. What does that say about our city and our city’s ability to move forward?

The Urban Phoenix has morphed and adapted in its 4 years of existence. In 2019, we will talk a great deal about the relationships we have with our cities. We will talk more about social capital, and the ups and downs of our own connections with our urban environments