Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
bus

How Mayors Can Lead The Way to a Sustainable Transportation Future (Hint: Listen to John Bauters)

Not enough U.S. mayors make sustainable transportation a priority, and even the ones that do don't always get much done. On today's episode of The Brake, though, we spoke with one elected official who's making massive progress to make streets safer, greener and more equitable in his small town — and sharing lessons in leadership that can scale to even the biggest cities.

In this extended conversation with Mayor John Bauters of Emeryville, Calif., we learn more about his successful effort to put a seat at every bus stop in his town, which Streetsblog covered last month, and what it takes to get humble yet ambitious mobility projects like this done. And along the way, we chat about why he thinks climate change is a losing campaign issue even though it's the most important issue of our time, why elected officials should get outside more, and why he thinks that you — yes, you — should run for office.

Tune in below, on Apple Podcasts, or anywhere else you listen.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Does Daylighting Work? NYC DOT Questions The Accepted Wisdom

An agency committed to Vision Zero now says that cars blocking a driver's view is safe. Huh?

January 24, 2025

Friday Video: Why Bad Drivers Are Everywhere

U.S. roads all but guarantee that U.S. drivers will do dangerous things. But how did we get here — and how do we fix it?

January 24, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: From Intern to CEO

What does it take to run a big (or small) engineering firm? Find out in this week's episode!

January 23, 2025

Streetsblog on the Road: Bike Share in Shanghai

The Chinese mega-city provides an example of great urban mobility, albeit with a side of authoritarianism.

January 23, 2025

Will Incoming U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy Derail America’s Two Biggest Transportation Bills?

America has a new transportation secretary – but a recent executive order appears to direct him not to perform some of the most important duties of his job.

January 23, 2025
See all posts