WWU to host Chris Bruntlett Jan. 29 for 'Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality'

WalkBusBike Bellingham is partnering with the WWU Institute for Energy Studies Speaker Series to bring Chris Bruntlett, co-founder of Modacity in Vancouver, B.C., to Arntzen Hall 004 at 4 p.m. on Tuesday Jan. 29 to discuss his book, “Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality.”  A book signing and reception will follow the talk.

Building the Cycling City examines the triumphs & challenges of the Dutch while also presenting stories of North American cities already implementing lessons from across the Atlantic. 

With 22.5 million bicycles for a population of 18 million, the Netherlands is undoubtedly the world’s top cycling nation. However, there remains an erroneous belief that – while the Dutch can provide encouragement – their methods are unrepeatable, and their results unattainable. Miles of separated cycle tracks, dedicated bike streets, and off-street paths are something that only works for “them” and not “us.” But even they started somewhere. Can the country that has spent decades building comfortable cycling infrastructure provide a blueprint for North American cities such as Bellingham? 

Bruntlett is the co-founder of Modacity; a creative agency using words, photography, and film to inspire happier, healthier, simpler forms of mobility. Together with his partner Melissa, he works with a variety of organizations — including municipal governments, transportation agencies, nonprofits, and corporate clients — to address the evolving needs of cities large and small, and enable a variety of mobility options as a way to create successful and more livable regions.