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

Friday’s Headlines Boldly Go Where Many Have Gone Before

A new Uber service will allow large groups of people traveling to the same destination to share a vehicle that carries up to 55 occupants. Sound familiar?

May 17, 2024

Op-Ed: This ‘Bike to Work’ Day, Let’s Pass Bold Policies To Support Cyclists

"It is hard to think of another mode of transportation that is a more powerful tool to meet [our challenges.]"

May 17, 2024

Talking Headways Podcast: An Update to Human Transit

Jarrett Walker on the release of the revised edition of his influential book Human Transit. 

May 16, 2024

Thursday’s Headlines Taste Great and Are Less Filling

Is shooting for "car-lite" cities a more realistic goal than "car-free"? One author thinks so. Either way, new evidence suggests that less exposure to emissions lowers the risk of asthma.

May 16, 2024

This City Leader Wants Drivers to Pay $850/Year To Register Their Cars — And Give The Money To Transit

What if driver had a choice between paying for the equivalent of a yearly bus pass just to register a car, or skipping the DMV and taking the actual bus for free?

May 16, 2024
See all posts