Skip to content

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.
podcast icon logo

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.

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.

More from Streetsblog New York City

Feds Charge Fraud Temp Tag Dealers ID’d in Streetsblog’s ‘Ghost Plate’ Series

May 22, 2026

State Pols Pass The Non-Controversial Part Of Hochul’s Car Insurance Reforms

May 22, 2026

Mamdani Says He’ll Back DOT Against Bikelash in W. 72nd St. Safety Revamp

May 22, 2026

Firefighters Flex Union Muscle In Bid To Keep Deadly Astoria Corridor Unsafe

May 22, 2026

Friday Video: A Bike Lane on Chambers Street!

May 22, 2026
See all posts