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

Can Athletes Help Solve Urbanism’s PR Problem? Soccer Star Tesho Akindele Thinks So

Camp North End in Charlotte, N.C., which Tesho Akindele is helping to develop, and Tesho himself. Photos:Camden and Hailey George, CC and Andy Witchger, CC

If the typical professional athlete talks about transportation at all, it's usually in the context of a mulit-million SUV commercial. Soccer star Tesho Akindele, though, isn't the typical athlete — and as he transitions out of his career on the field, he wants to make a full-time job out of building walkable, bikeable, equitable cities.

Today on The Brake, we talk to Tesho about how he fell in love with urbanism, why he uses his platform to talk about parking minimums, and the secret to getting non-wonks on board the movement to end car dependency and create people-centered places.

Tune in below, on Apple Podcasts, or anywhere else you listen, and follow Tesho on Twitter @Tesho13.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Is Austin a Vision Zero Leader Hiding In Plain Sight?

Changes have been slow in Bat City, but they are meaningful and starting to show success.

November 24, 2025

‘Dirty and Embarrassing’: Disgraced Former Gov. Fights Against Street Safety in Mayoral Run

All eyes are on the Garden State's second city, where a former governor plots a comeback with a divisive, anti-safety campaign.

November 24, 2025

Monday’s Headlines Are Bussin’

The U.S. DOT released $2 billion for 165 agencies to buy 2,400 new buses.

November 24, 2025

Friday Video: The Largest U.S. City With No Transit

Can communities really keep people moving without fixed-route transit? Find out on this visit to Texas.

November 21, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Tread Carefully

The Washington Post too a deep dive into the epidemic of pedestrian deaths, which rose from 4,300 in 2010 to more than 7,000 in 2023.

November 21, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: Emotional Consumption in China

High-speed rail has completely transformed the country. Think about that sentence: "High-speed rail has completely transformed the country." When was the last time something positive like that happened here?

November 20, 2025
See all posts