From Taxi Kicker to City Councillor - Justine's Urbanism Fight

What's it like living Car-Lite in London?

What is the future of transportation in our cities? The turns have tabled in this special episode. Journalism student Will Bruce (from Fanshawe's Almost 107 radio show) interviewed me (Ben Durham). This is that recording. A note, this was recorded in 2024. Took me a while to get to the edit. Whoopsies. We dive into the daily life of biking across the city, even in freezing winter weather. We discuss London's big plans for bus lanes and bike paths, and why these changes are so important for our growing city. I also share the history of London's streetcar system and what we can learn from cities around the world. You're probably used to that one, though. This is a conversation about making our city a better, safer, and more affordable place for everyone to live. ================ Get early access to videos and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, like our extensive brainstorming sessions, full interviews, and video commentaries over at https://www.patreon.com/bendurham Do you have an insider tip or unique information on a story? Do you have a suggestion for a story you want me to cover? Submit via email: bendurhamproductions@gmail.com • where to find me • Website: https://bendurham.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendurham.ca ================ ⏬ Products and Gear Used in this video (affiliate links*) ================ Some links below are affiliate links (no extra cost for you, kickbacks for me for these free videos for you). Everything I use, in one place (mostly): https://bendurham.ca/gear-guide/ Main equipment used in this video: 🎥 Canon EOS R7 Super 35 Sensor: https://amzn.to/42rCwIu 🕶 Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC Lens (EF mount): https://amzn.to/4b3OPyy 🎥 Canon EOS R6 Full-Frame used a lot outside the studio (just not for the ride-alongs any more - too heavy): https://amzn.to/43HmkFS 👓 Canon RF50mm F 1.2L: https://amzn.to/35Lp9KK 🖇 Canon EF-EOS R Mount Adapter: https://amzn.to/3UHoFfo Audio: 🎤 Shure SM58: https://amzn.to/4f5ckKi 👆⏺ with a Zoom F3 (32-bit Float Field Recorder): https://amzn.to/4f5ckKi 🌬🚫 Shure A81WS Windscreen: https://amzn.to/3XWk5Mm

From Taxi Kicker to City Councillor - Justine's Urbanism Fight

Justine Underhill and I chat about her journey to becoming a city councillor in Falls Church, Virginia! We meander our way through the discussion, talking about tons of different topics. Justine Underhill is a city councillor in Falls Church, Virginia, and a content creator who uses her YouTube channel to break down complex urban design and economic issues. With a background in economics and performing arts, she combines data-driven storytelling with advocacy for safer, more walkable, and housing-abundant communities. Her journey into urbanism began in New York City and led her from community organizing to running for elected office. ~~ Find Justine ~~ Website: https://justineunderhill.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@justine-underhill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justineundy Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/justineunderhill.bsky.social ================ Some topics we explore are: • How Ben discovered Justine via Reddit’s “f**k cars” community • Traffic calming designs (e.g., concrete balls) and public objections • Vision Zero philosophy: Reducing crash severity over eliminating crashes • Justine’s background: Economics/theatre education to urban advocacy • The NYC scooter executive’s life-changing perspective on car-dominated spaces • Personal urbanism awakening: From yelling at taxis to policy change • Running for city council in Falls Church, VA • YouTube as a tool for debunking misinformation • Door-knocking campaigns for community engagement and election wins • Housing shortages and ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) • Economic benefits of walkable cities vs. suburban sprawl • Street redesigns: Safety vs. parking trade-offs • Why bikes are better than cars in post-apocalyptic scenarios (and filmmaking challenges) • Prepper tips: Urban resilience and food shortages • Falls Church’s development boom and local backlash • The “shadow debate”: Talking to residents vs. assuming their concerns • Financial barriers to small-scale development • Why asking “Who owns the streets?” changes everything ================ Get early access to videos and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, like our extensive brainstorming sessions, full interviews, and video commentaries over at https://www.patreon.com/bendurham Do you have an insider tip or unique information on a story? Do you have a suggestion for a story you want me to cover? Submit via email: bendurhamproductions@gmail.com • where to find me • Website: https://bendurham.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendurham.ca 🎥 Everything I use, in one place: https://bendurham.ca/gear-guide/ ================ WATCH and RATE the Wheels and Beyond podcast on: » Spotify: https://bendurham.ca/WAB-spotify » https://bendurham.ca/WAB-apple » https://bendurham.ca/WAB-yt ================ NERDY RECORDING DETAILS: This recording took place on the morning of July 19th, 2025 using RiversideFM. A/V syncing issues are really getting annoying with Riverside's 24fps vs external camera's typical 23.976. Sigh. Edited and mixed in Davinci Resolve Studio. 1080p render. Audio is optimized for an ITU-R BS, 1770-4 standard at -1dBTP and -16LKFS, specifically for Spotify standards.

Why We Sold Our Second Car for a Cargo Bike (saves us $10,000 a year)

Colin Evans (emergency physician) and I chat about why (and how) he ditched his massive GMC Sierra pickup truck for an Urban Arrow cargo bike. This simple change saves his large family (wife and four daughters) over $10,000 per year, while not sacrificing anything - actually gaining more time with his family! We explore a LOT of topics, but some include: Near-misses with aggressive drivers Winter biking essentials Cargo bike durability test Why hospitals fail cyclists The “honking paradox” Truck culture psychology Bike vs. car community connections Teaching kids street smarts Emergency vehicle myths Suburban vs. urban biking Emotional shift from truck to bike identity Cargo bike as conversation starter Why cable locks fail Bike infrastructure in new developments Handling left turns with kids True cost of car ownership School commutes by bike Garbage truck safety policies Urban Arrow maintenance hacks Political barriers to bike lanes ================ Get early access to videos and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, like our extensive brainstorming sessions, full interviews, and video commentaries over at https://www.patreon.com/bendurham Do you have an insider tip or unique information on a story? Do you have a suggestion for a story you want me to cover? Submit via email: bendurhamproductions@gmail.com • where to find me • Website: https://bendurham.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendurham.ca 🎥 Everything I use, in one place: https://bendurham.ca/gear-guide/ ================ WATCH and RATE the Wheels and Beyond podcast on: » Spotify: https://bendurham.ca/WAB-spotify » https://bendurham.ca/WAB-apple » https://bendurham.ca/WAB-yt ================ NERDY RECORDING DETAILS: This recording took place on the morning of July 8th, 2025 on a park bench in Gibbon's Park, here in London, Ontario, Canada. Edited and mixed in Davinci Resolve Studio. 1080p render. Audio is optimized for an ITU-R BS, 1770-4 standard at -1dBTP and -16LKFS, specifically for Spotify standards.

Why Suburbs Fail at Community (And How to Fix Them) - with Rob Attrell

The transformative power of bicycling and cargo bikes in urban mobility need to be talked about. Not only are they a superpower in urban settings, but also in suburban settings.Rob Attrell shares his personal journey of commuting by bike for his whole life and then fairly recently moving out into the “suburbs” of Ottawa. He now bikes 20 km to work but still sees massive benefits of active transportation, cargo bikes, and how reducing car dependency can lead to healthier communities, better urban planning, and a more sustainable future for everyone. Although, he's also realizing some of the downsides of living in a suburb, after having lived in a more “core” area before this. ================ Get early access to videos and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, like our extensive brainstorming sessions, full interviews, and video commentaries over at https://www.patreon.com/bendurham Do you have an insider tip or unique information on a story? Do you have a suggestion for a story you want me to cover? Submit via email: bendurhamproductions@gmail.com • where to find me • Website: https://bendurham.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendurham.ca 🎥 Everything I use, in one place: https://bendurham.ca/gear-guide/ ================ WATCH and RATE the Wheels and Beyond podcast on: » Spotify: https://bendurham.ca/WAB-spotify » https://bendurham.ca/WAB-apple » https://bendurham.ca/WAB-yt ================ ⌚ CHAPTERS ⌚ 00:00 - Welcome to the podcast 01:28 - How Rob discovered the podcast 02:08 - Rob's commuting story and biking experience 06:04 - The benefits of cargo bikes 09:05 - Packing essentials for biking to work 12:19 - The impact of biking on family life 18:17 - Understanding urban mobility challenges 22:11 - The importance of community engagement 35:02 - Discussing zoning and urban planning 40:01 - The future of public transit in Ottawa 56:01 - Closing thoughts and call to action ================ NERDY RECORDING DETAILS: This recording took place on the morning of May 26th, 2025 via RiversideFM. Edited and mixed in Davinci Resolve Studio. 1080p render. Audio is optimized for an ITU-R BS, 1770-4 standard at -1dBTP and -16LKFS, specifically for Spotify standards. Tags urban mobility, cargo bikes, biking, less car living, sustainable transportation, community engagement, urban planning, cycling benefits, bike commuting, public transit, environmental awareness, healthy living, urbanism, local advocacy, city planning, bike culture, transportation alternatives

The Trillion-Dollar Problem Killing Our Cities - with Michel Durand-Wood

We're chatting with Michel Durand-Wood today—Winnipeg’s “Elmwood Guy,” municipal finance guru, and author of the upcoming book You’ll Pay for This. Michel’s passion for cities and their financial sustainability is contagious, and we dive deep into why every citizen is a co-owner of their city, not just a customer. Here’s a taste of what we cover: 🏙️ Why municipal finance is the “connective tissue” of everything you care about—from parks to potholes. 🚗 The hidden costs of car-centric infrastructure and how it’s bankrupting cities (hint: roads are expensive). 📉 The trillion-dollar infrastructure deficit in Canada and the USA and what it means for your daily life. 🚶 How incremental, low-cost solutions—like bike lanes and tactical urbanism—outperform mega-projects. 🏡 Michel’s journey from frustrated citizen to author and advocate—and how YOU can start making change in your neighbourhood. Michel’s book You’ll Pay for This (out May 20 in Canada, June 24 elsewhere) is a hilarious, eye-opening guide to demystifying city budgets. Pre-order it now or request it at your local library! Love your city? Check out Michel’s blog DearWinnipeg.com for no-nonsense takes on urbanism that applies to not just Winnipeg, but all cities. Share this episode with a neighbour, too! Let’s build cities that work for everyone—forever. ================ If you've found this worth your time, you can get early access to videos and exclusive behind-the-scenes content access to our extensive brainstorming sessions, full interviews, and video commentaries over at https://www.patreon.com/bendurham Do you have an insider tip or unique information on a story? Do you have a suggestion for a story you want me to cover? Submit via email: bendurhamproductions@gmail.com • where to find me • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendurham.ca TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bendurham.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BenDurham.ca Website: https://bendurham.ca ================ SUBSCRIBE to and RATE Wheels and Beyond on: » Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XgnlWWDihE1WFvEEC1868 » Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wheels-and-beyond/id1761207261 ================ ⏰ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 02:31 Michelle's background & expertise 06:27 Citizens as city co-owners 09:07 The Portage and Maine story 16:42 Municipal financial realities 24:23 Transportation & infrastructure costs 34:30 Personal mobility choices 43:36 Solutions & citizen action 53:46 Book announcement & closing ================ NERDY RECORDING DETAILS: This recording took place on the morning of April 18th, 2025 via RiversideFM. Edited and mixed in Davinci Resolve Studio. 1080p render. Audio is optimized for an ITU-R BS, 1770-4 standard at -1dBTP and -16LKFS, specifically for Spotify standards.