Mode Shift Board Member and Walkability Team Chair spoke to Ryan Osentowski, Station Manager of the Radio Talking Book Service . Their 45 minute conversation is wide-reaching and covers many fascinating topics – like status, cars, economics, change making and many topics in between. Listen to Ryan speak about his experiences living as a blind person in Kearney, Lincoln, Denver and Omaha – and how walkability and good transit impact his quality of life. Listen as they discuss how Denver has less of a stigma around walking and transit than most of our midwestern cities – and how community is built on the light rail.
Listen as they talk about how to effect change. Crystal talks about how we have to stop accepting poor services or infrastructure as par for the course or something we deserve – the more we speak up about the issues facing us the more change will happen. (So, keep reporting to the Mayor’s Hotline everyone – and go to Metro Transit’s Monthly Board Meetings)
If you only have a few minutes to listen – fast forward to the 40 minute mark. Ryan and Crystal talk about their dreams. (Think pedestrian and bike super-highway for one.) They may seem impossible – but are reminiscent of Daniel Burnham, the great 20th century architect and urban planner who is known for saying:
Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and our grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty.
Listen to this – and then go out and make some big plans.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/707148/2024184-ryan-o-and-dr-edwards-talk-the-walk
Such a rich interview!