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

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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Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
– Nic’s other older channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TechIlliterate
– Nic’s Micromobility video: https://youtu.be/j_NqBbvx7eY
– Nic’s Japan Playlist: https://bit.ly/3XD6A2p
– Nic’s response for folks who’ve seen the @NotJustBikesFake London video: https://youtu.be/FQEHQjGBCPQ
– Nic’s Dutch trip playlist: https://bit.ly/3N2vCmz
– My Detroit Profile video: https://youtu.be/ndXbEyAJ1ZU
– Radio Free Urbanism Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@radiofreeurbanism
– My Radio Free Urbanism episode: https://youtu.be/NbCNExNlzgc
– Co-host Ethan and The @climateandtransit Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@climateandtransit
– Co-host Alex and The @humanecities Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@humanecities
– My Bosch episode: https://youtu.be/kIOSBYmfEfk
– Josh Hon, CEO of Tern episode: https://youtu.be/Cf3r0UvbuZ0
– My episodes with Kylie van Dam: https://youtu.be/Ureekp5HpUI and https://youtu.be/GVgp2LZ8PNk
– My episode with Roy Symons Fietspad episode: https://youtu.be/xjbxdh_vDlc
– My first episode with Jason Slaughter the story behind NJB: https://youtu.be/NyD6yFMRbHg
– My second episode with Jason: https://youtu.be/sBRS4Mqg7To
– My ride with Jason in Amsterdam: https://youtu.be/-V2U6OzMIUU

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

Music via Epidemic Sound: https://bit.ly/3rFLErD

Resources used during the production of this video:
– My recording platform is Ecamm Live: https://bit.ly/3rwsUup
– Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite: https://bit.ly/35DBDDU

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