EP 262 NIC LAPORTE: Meet the creative force behind the successful Dutch cycle tour video series

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In this episode, I reconnect with Nic Laporte, the Vancouver, BC-based creative force behind the fast-growing @nicthedoor urbanism and active mobility channel, to learn more about his backstory and what he hopes to achieve with his inspiring cycling videos from Japan, The Netherlands and various locations across North America. His recent series of videos profiling his six-day bike ride around the Randstad region of The Netherlands was a smashing success that put his channel on the map, pardon the pun.
Topics discussed include:
- Micromobility
- Privately owned and shared scooters
- Bike share systems - dockless and docked
- Cargo bikes and e-assist bikes (Bosch and Tern)
- Protected and separated cycle paths
- Shared street types (fietsstraat, bicycle priority street, edge lane road, and the Dutch Neighborhood Access Street erftoegangsweg or ETW)
- All Ages & Abilities cycle networks - AAA Infrastructure

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Video timeline:
0:00:00 Cold open
0:01:11 Start of episode
0:01:55 Nic's opening statement
0:02:59 The Urbanism inspiration
0:09:54 The watershed moment
0:11:22 Previous YouTube Channel
0:14:17 Detroit
0:17:21 Defining micro-mobility
0:21:33 Fake London
0:24:39 My thank you for Jason Slaughter
0:30:37 New Number 1 Video
0:35:12 e-bike pitch for Nic
0:41:22 Dutch cycle network series of videos
0:47:56 Shared street designs
0:59:25 Nic's Closing Thoughts

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Credits: Video and audio production by John Simmerman

Resources used during the production of this video:

Background:
Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 30 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.

Since 2010, I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."

The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.

Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.

Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2024
Комментарии
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Nic's channel is great! I didn't know about his podcast before, but I'm subscribed now!

baddriversofcolga
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I had no idea Nic is originally an Ontarian! And spent time in Fake London, just down the road from us in Toronto. Great "meeting" him through this video. Thanks!

knarf_on_a_bike
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Holland calling, and no, not Holland, Michigan!
This video mentions so many subjects I can relate to. First of all Kingsville, ONT. I have been there during my visit from my relatives around Burlington ONT to my best chess friend in Windsor. Done the Ambassador Bridge, Leamington (Tomato Capital of the World) and beautiful Point Pelee. Tilbury, Chatham, FAKE London and what not.
John correctly pointed out that the Dutch are fascinated by foreigh opinions on their cycling culture, which they consider as normal behaviour. This shines through in literally every video made by non-Dutch people visting and documenting our country.
I have enjoyed Nic’s 6 piece series. The thing that struck me the most was that his observations were more ‘mellow’ than those from other urbanists. Jason Slaughter especially is great in slamming home runs and dunks in your face, stating his excellents points. I love it! But there is something to be said as well for a more modest and temperate approach like Nic’s.
On a final note, it is interesting to note that the very word scooter means something completely different over here. What you guys call scooter is a ‘step’ in Dutch. Our scooter is a VESPA mobility device - kind of a motorcycle with very small wheels and a step through frame.
Keep up the good work!

reneolthof
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His video series has made me want to do almost the same thing next year if I can make it. But I want to go through North Brabant before hitting Utrecht.

aidanmccarthy
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In addition, what it's about (at 49:20 ) is safety, which should be the main requirement for any street or road design.

fritsmosselman
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I went to Kansai in 2017 and it never occurred to me to rent a bike. Travel was by train or on foot, with a couple of bus trips.
There's a store in Tenri, where the Isonokami Shrine is, that rents bikes to ride the oldest road in Japan, the Yamanobe no michi. Pick up the bike at the store near the station in Tenri and lock it up at the station in Sakurai. I'd like to do that.
As for E-Bikes: They're really been popular among people who weren't biking, so they've really made a difference in the market.
Mine is a Huffy with a Bafang mid-drive kit, which I love. but my main bike is a Dutch Azor analog bike, and I just added two more 27" classics; an Easy Racer Tour Easy recumbent and a 1976 Schwinn (actually a Panasonic) Super LeTour. Opposite ends of the speed bike world, but interesting toys.

JustClaude
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highly recommend checking out Nic’s podcast, Radio Free Urbanism! :)

SarahSkitchKitchen
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Electric scooters are not allowed in The Netherlands. This situation seems to be in limbo.
It's probably that it's traditionally a child's vehicle and young children going like 25km/h or faster without guidance/protection is a serious safety concern.
We currently have already similar issues with 'fatbikes' involved in accidents: 1) age of the users 2) speeds are higher than normal traffic flow on the fietspad ~18km/h
Personally, I think that at least a minimum age of 14 + bicycle helmet use should be mandatory for all these electric vehicles users.

giselavaleazar
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I don't think that in the current political climate in North America much progress will be made. In fact the opposite, some cities are already talking about removing bike lanes... How do you see the future ? To a lot of people in Europe North America is regressing back to the 50's.

roelkomduur
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