

Radio Free Urbanism
Alex Williams | Ethan Meyers | Nic Laporte
The voice of the urbanist! Join Alex, Nic, and Ethan as we discuss the optimistic future of urbanism, city planning, and transit in North America!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 27, 2026 • 1h 12min
New jersey E-Bike Laws, LA Metro's Tunnel Vision, and the Battle Over Housing in Los Angeles
Join Alex Davis and Sully Israel as they explore New Jersey's ridiculous new E-bike laws, Two huge decision at LA Metro that will shape the future of rail transit in the county, and the battle over SB 79--California's most controversial housing law. Send us a question: radiofreeurbanism@gmail.comPatreon: patreon.com/RadioFreeUrbanismSully: https://www.youtube.com/@UCcBHKCWkckK5KqqEnvc61RwAlex: https://www.youtube.com/@UCyeWE5ok9X5saI8nnC31Acw

Jan 21, 2026 • 1h 19min
How LA Metro Quietly Stopped Enforcing Fares (feat. Alex Davis)
Join Alex Davis and Sully Israel as they delve into the complexities of LA Metro's fare enforcement, the challenges facing urban transit systems, and the power of advocacy in shaping public policy. Send us a question: radiofreeurbanism@gmail.com Patreon: patreon.com/RadioFreeUrbanism Sully: https://www.youtube.com/@UCcBHKCWkckK5KqqEnvc61Rw Alex: https://www.youtube.com/@UCyeWE5ok9X5saI8nnC31Acw

Nov 14, 2025 • 1h 19min
Ep.90 The Wisdom of Losing
In this very special episode Alex Williams returns once again to share his experience running in the Calgary municipal election. Toronto has reversed it's old zoning laws and once again allows small shops in neighborhoods. Nic talks about his time on the show coming to an end. Send us a question: radiofreeurbanism@gmail.comPatreon: patreon.com/RadioFreeUrbanismSully: https://www.youtube.com/@SullyvilleEthan: https://www.youtube.com/@climateandtransitNic: https://www.youtube.com/@nicthedoorAlex: https://www.youtube.com/@humanecities

Oct 24, 2025 • 1h 14min
Ep.89 Helsinki Achieves Vision Zero!
Helsinki reaches vision zero! and California SB 79 talk.Send us a question: radiofreeurbanism@gmail.comPatreon: patreon.com/RadioFreeUrbanismSully: https://www.youtube.com/@SullyvilleEthan: https://www.youtube.com/@climateandtransitNic: https://www.youtube.com/@nicthedoor

Sep 26, 2025 • 59min
Ep.88 Trump Kills Road Diets
In this episode of Radio Free Urbanism, hosts Nic Laporte and Ethan Meyers engage with their audience while discussing the current political climate's impact on urban infrastructure, particularly regarding pedestrian safety and bike lanes. They emphasize the importance of community action and local initiatives in driving change, while also sharing personal updates on their projects. The conversation highlights the challenges faced in urban planning and the need for continued advocacy and engagement from listeners.Send us a question: radiofreeurbanism@gmail.comPatreon: patreon.com/RadioFreeUrbanismSully: https://www.youtube.com/@SullyvilleEthan: https://www.youtube.com/@climateandtransitNic: https://www.youtube.com/@nicthedoorhttps://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/trump-admin-cancels-grants-for-pedestrian-safety-and-bike-lanes-calling-them-hostile/ar-AA1NePx0?ocid=BingNewsSerphttps://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/politics/queens-park/article/enough-is-enough-doug-ford-moves-to-ban-speed-cameras-in-ontario-next-month/https://biketalk.org/2025/09/agree-to-disagree/

Aug 29, 2025 • 1h 6min
Ep.87 Would You Live in a Mall?
Nic watched Hacks...and wants to know if you would live in a mall. They explore the redevelopment of malls into mixed-use spaces, the integration of art in urban environments, and the impact of these changes on community safety. The conversation also touches on the unique urban planning practices of the Amish community and their adoption of e-bikes. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of urban spaces and the importance of thoughtful planning. In this conversation, Ethan Meyers and Nic Laporte discuss various aspects of cycling infrastructure, particularly in smaller cities and the Netherlands. They explore the challenges and successes of implementing cycling-friendly policies, the importance of public transit in accessing nature, and the intricacies of content creation on platforms like YouTube.Miles in Transit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QacR2MYZFCM Send us a question: radiofreeurbanism@gmail.comPatreon: patreon.com/RadioFreeUrbanismSully: https://www.youtube.com/@SullyvilleEthan: https://www.youtube.com/@climateandtransitNic: https://www.youtube.com/@nicthedoor

Aug 22, 2025 • 1h 3min
Ep.86 Are Rainbow Crosswalks Unsafe?
In this episode of Radio Free Urbanism, hosts Ethan Meyers and Sully Israel discuss various urbanism topics, including the controversial removal of Pride crosswalks in Florida, the implications of infrastructure decisions on community representation, and the growing trends in micro-mobility. They explore the health benefits of walkable cities and the importance of data in urban planningSend us a question: radiofreeurbanism@gmail.comPatreon: patreon.com/RadioFreeUrbanismSully: https://www.youtube.com/@SullyvilleEthan: https://www.youtube.com/@climateandtransitNic: https://www.youtube.com/@nicthedoor

Aug 8, 2025 • 1h 13min
Ep.85 The New Acela Express
The long-awaited rollout of Amtrak's new Acela Express trains, highlighting their innovative features and the challenges faced during development. The conversation then shifts to the importance of public art in urban spaces, exploring the impact of NIMBYism on art installations and the necessity of integrating art into city planning for community engagement and identity. In this engaging conversation, the hosts explore various urban planning topics, including the humorous saga of a splash pad in Santa Barbara, the challenges of San Francisco's Vision Zero initiative aimed at reducing traffic fatalities, and insights into bicycle infrastructure and innovative urban planning examples. The discussion highlights the complexities and absurdities of city planning, community engagement, and the importance of effective infrastructure for public safety and accessibility.Send us a question: radiofreeurbanism@gmail.comPatreon: patreon.com/RadioFreeUrbanismSully: https://www.youtube.com/@SullyvilleEthan: https://www.youtube.com/@climateandtransitNic: https://www.youtube.com/@nicthedoor

Aug 1, 2025 • 1h 5min
Ep.84 Not Today Mr. Ford!
In this episode of Radio Free Urbanism, the recent Ontario court ruling that deemed the removal of bike lanes unconstitutional, the progressive housing policy changes in Oregon, and California's SB 79 which mandates minimum zoning near transit stops. The conversation highlights the challenges of urban planning, the importance of integrating transit and housing policies, and critiques the reliance on anecdotal evidence in urban debates. In this episode of Radio Free Urbanism, the hosts delve into various urbanism topics, including the peculiarities of urban enclaves and exclaves, the importance of pedestrian infrastructure, and the implications of pedestrian crossing distances. They also discuss listener mail regarding helmet culture and safety, insights into the housing market in Los Angeles, and the potential for disability infrastructure to enhance community mobility. The conversation highlights the complexities of urban planning and the cultural attitudes that influence safety and accessibility in urban environments.Send us a question: radiofreeurbanism@gmail.comPatreon: patreon.com/RadioFreeUrbanism Sully: https://www.youtube.com/@SullyvilleEthan: https://www.youtube.com/@climateandtransitNic: https://www.youtube.com/@nicthedoor

Jul 27, 2025 • 60min
Ep.83 Bike Lanes Work!
In this episode of Radio Free Urbanism, hosts Ethan and Sully discuss pressing issues surrounding urban transit funding in Oregon, the political dynamics affecting transportation policies, and the importance of bike lanes in urban planning. They explore the impact of funding cuts on communities, the controversies surrounding highway widening projects, and the need for consistent transit funding. The conversation also delves into listener mail, where they share personal insights about their families' perspectives on urbanism and the challenges of advocating for better urban planning.Send us a question: radiofreeurbanism@gmail.comPatreon: patreon.com/RadioFreeUrbanismSully: https://www.youtube.com/@SullyvilleEthan: https://www.youtube.com/@climateandtransitNic: https://www.youtube.com/@nicthedoor


