Bikes And The Good Life: Melissa & Chris Bruntlett on Designing For Vitality & Freedom Around the World | Ep 55

House of Peregrine

In this episode, Mickelle welcomes Melissa and Chris Bruntlett - urban storytellers, authors, and advocates for human-centered cities. Together, they unpack how a bold decision to ditch their car in Vancouver sparked a global journey toward urban vitality. As parents, they saw firsthand how city design affects daily life and mobility, especially for women, children, and caregivers - and their experience blossomed into a mission: to show the world that cities can be vibrant, connected, and livable for all.

The Bruntletts share their evolution from curious citizens to published authors and global consultants, weaving stories from their life in the Netherlands with lessons from cities worldwide. From the Dutch resistance to car-centric planning to their upcoming book on women-led urban transformation, they explore how storytelling and empathy can spark cultural shifts in urban design.

Throughout, Mickelle and her guests reflect on the deep connections between mobility, independence, and collective well-being. It’s not just about bikes - it’s about creating spaces where people thrive.

Highlights:

• Ditching the Car: How it all started in Vancouver
  
• Falling in Love with Dutch Urban Life
  
• The Power of the Collective in Shaping Streets
  
• Bikes as Symbols of Care and Connection
  
• Vitality as the Real Measure of a City
  
• Their New Book on Women Leading Urban Change
  

This episode is a love letter to cities - and to the people bold enough to reimagine them. To follow Melissa and Chris’s work, visit modacitylife.com or connect with them on social media @modacitylife.

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