aniel Herriges joins us to explore one of the most underestimated levers for better cities: parking reform. A longtime Strong Towns writer and co-author of Escaping the Housing Trap, Daniel explains how the post-war American obsession with car storage has quietly shaped—and often strangled—urban life.

From zoning codes that make beloved main streets illegal, to the $127 billion annual subsidy for “free” parking, Herriges walks through the cultural, financial, and environmental costs of designing places around peak car demand. But more importantly, he makes a compelling case for a bottom-up approach to urban change: one that values small bets, local agency, and a return to permission-based development.

This is not a podcast about technical policy. It’s about rediscovering momentum. And why cities that want to become more livable, walkable, and resilient need to focus on being more interestingly, less wrong.

💬 In This Episode: – Why parking is the “dark matter” of North American cities – The hidden cost of “free” parking – How zoning codes ban the kinds of places people love – Why most people don’t hate new neighbours—they hate traffic – The importance of small-scale experimentation – Why “let people do things” might be the best policy of all – How bottom-up momentum outperforms masterplans – Reframing density for public understanding – The power of getting it less wrong over time

Andy Nulman is a man who’s seen Montreal through every era — and he’s not afraid to call out what’s gone wrong. In this no-holds-barred conversation, the Just for Laughs co-founder shares his frustrations with small-minded politics, lost ambition, and a city that’s forgotten how to dream big. We talk about Montreal’s golden ages, its identity crisis, and what it would take to fix the city’s flow, literally and metaphorically.

From language laws to bike lanes, bad branding to bold leadership, this episode is about what happens when cities stop being bold … and how to bring the swagger back.

Takeaways

• Michael Wexler's journey into urbanism began unexpectedly.
• He transitioned from cycling-focused projects to broader transit planning.
• Cargo bikes represent a gap in North American urban mobility.
• Infrastructure is crucial for increasing cycling and cargo bike usage.
• Copenhagen's cycling culture serves as an inspiration for Montreal.
• Mulo aims to fill the cargo bike market gap in Montreal.
• Community partnerships are essential for Mulo's success.
• E-bikes have transformed the cargo bike experience.
• The political landscape significantly impacts urban mobility initiatives.
• A multi-faceted approach is needed for sustainable urban transportation.

Summary

In this conversation, Michael Wexler shares his unique journey into urbanism, highlighting his experiences with cycling infrastructure and transit planning. He discusses the rise of cargo bikes as a sustainable urban mobility solution, the cultural differences in their adoption, and the importance of infrastructure in promoting cycling. Wexler emphasizes the need for community engagement and local partnerships in launching initiatives like Mulo, Montreal's first cargo bike share system. He also addresses the challenges of urban transit and the political landscape affecting mobility projects, ultimately advocating for a multi-faceted approach to creating better urban environments.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Michael Wexler

02:47 Transitioning from Cycling to Transit Planning

05:59 The Rise of Cargo Bikes in Urban Mobility

09:11 Cultural Differences in Cargo Bike Adoption

11:56 Infrastructure and Its Impact on Cycling

15:03 Encouraging the Use of Cargo Bikes

18:07 Types of Cargo Bikes and Their Uses

20:57 Mulo's Initial Launch and Community Engagement

23:42 Future Aspirations and Expansion Plans

27:03 Operational Challenges and Solutions

29:56 The Role of E-Bikes in Urban Mobility

32:50 The Importance of Local Partnerships

36:08 The Future of Cargo Bikes in Urban Areas

38:56 The Need for Better Transit Systems

42:02 The Political Landscape of Urban Mobility

44:54 The Vision for a Better Urban Future

47:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts