Anna Zivarts, WHEN DRIVING IS NOT AN OPTION & Dan Piatkowski, BICYCLE CITY

Writer's Voice with Francesca Rheannon

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we talk about changing urban transport to make it more people-centric, not car-centric. We welcome disability mobility advocate Anna Zivarts, author of When Driving Is Not An Option: Steering Away From Car Dependency.

Then, urban planner Dan Piatkowski tells us about how new developments in bike technology can make cities — and even suburbs — more people friendly. His book is Bicycle City: Riding the Bike Boom to a Brighter Future.

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Key words: transportation justice, car dependency, disability rights, e-bikes, sustainable cities, affordability, urban planning, climate change, Anna Zivarts, Dan Piatkowski

Episode Show Notes

In this episode, we welcome Anna Zivarts, disability activist and author of When Driving is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency, and Dan Piatkowski, urban planner and author of Bicycle City: Riding the Bike Boom to a Brighter Future. They each discuss how our car-dependent culture impacts communities, from individuals with disabilities to those facing financial hardship.

Zivarts shares her personal journey with nystagmus, a neurological condition that makes it unsafe for her to drive, and how navigating life without a car shaped her vision for more inclusive transportation systems.

She highlights the affordability crisis tied to car ownership and the challenges for non-drivers, including seniors, immigrants, and home care workers. Through her book, Anna advocates for designing cities that provide transportation alternatives for all, reducing reliance on cars.

Dan Piatkowski brings a global perspective, sharing his experience moving from the U.S. to Oslo, Norway, where he witnessed the benefits of the city’s car-free livability program.

He discusses the role of bicycles, e-bikes, and cargo bikes in reshaping urban spaces, emphasizing that sustainable, people-centered cities can thrive without being dominated by cars.

In each of their books, Zivarts and Piatkowski explore the need for transportation justice, addressing racial disparities, affordability issues, and the climate crisis.

Tune in to hear their compelling arguments for a future where transportation is accessible, affordable, and equitable for everyone.