Talking Headways Podcast: The Peking Order
This week on the podcast I’m joined by Dr. Mariela Alfonzo to discuss her recent paper, "Walkability, Obesity and Urban Design in Chinese Neighborhoods," in the journal Preventive Medicine. The findings on both cycling and obesity might surprise you.
By
Jeff Wood
4:46 PM EST on March 5, 2015
This week on the podcast I’m joined by Dr. Mariela Alfonzo to discuss her recent paper, “Walkability, Obesity and Urban Design in Chinese Neighborhoods,” in the journal Preventive Medicine. The findings on both cycling and obesity might surprise you.
We also discuss how policy change works in Chinese cities and how much power mayors have to make those changes, as well as what motivates them. Perhaps my favorite topic was the Peking Order, or the level of importance assigned to each mode of transportation. Surprisingly, buses are first, but not for the reasons you would think. Join us as we travel east on this week’s Talking Headways.
More from Streetsblog New York City
Gale Forces? West Side Council Member Wants A Bike Lane On Central Park Transverses
"I particularly support the 72nd Street transverse. Even more people would use bicycles when they know they can get from one part of Manhattan to another," Council Member Brewer said.
March 24, 2026
AT THEIR LIMIT: Boards Covering 1M New Yorkers Want Reduced Car Speeds
Eight community boards have asked the city Department of Transportation to designate their districts as “slow zones” with 20-mile-per-hour car speed limits.
March 24, 2026
Tuesday’s Headlines: Above the Law Edition
It takes almost no time for hopes to be dashed in this cruel town. Plus other news.
March 24, 2026
Monday’s Headlines: We Fixed Congress Edition
DOT installed "don't walk" signs next to pedestrians ramps in Brooklyn, then removed them after Streetsblog started asking questions. Plus more news.
March 23, 2026
The City Is Doing to Prospect Park What It Needs to Do to All Parks
A long-awaited bike lane in Brooklyn will create almost full protected cycling coverage around Prospect Park — setting a new standard for the rest of the city.
March 23, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.