The Bottom-Up Revolution - Can Safer Streets Start With a Video Game?

The Bottom-Up Revolution - Can Safer Streets Start With a Video Game?

From Think and Act Locally by Think & Act Locally

April 30, 2026 · 38 min

About this episode

Bryan Kelly discusses how a video game inspired his activism for safer streets in Sheboygan.

A traffic jam in a video game changed how Bryan Kelly saw his city. He traces the path from playing City Skylines and watching Not Just Bikes to noticing stroads, long waits at traffic lights, and people biking on sidewalks along Sheboygan’s Eighth Street. That shift pulled him into a Strong Towns book club in a local coffee shop, Critical Mass rides with neighbors, and quiet committee rooms where he was sometimes the only person at the microphone. When a council seat opened, he carried those lived observations into a campaign centered on safer streets and fiscally careful projects. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Bryan Kelly (LinkedIn) Sheboygan Active Transportation (Site) Local Recommendations: ‍ Paradigm Coffee & Music Three Sheeps Brewing Evergreen Park Harry’s Diner Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here! This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Thank you! Join fellow members discussing this episode in The Commons.

People in this episode

Guest: Bryan Kelly

Topics covered

  • urban planning
  • traffic safety
  • community engagement
  • video games
  • local politics

Keywords

  • City Skylines
  • traffic lights
  • biking
  • Strong Towns
  • community activism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Strong Towns, Paradigm Coffee & Music, Three Sheeps Brewing, Harry’s Diner

Places: Sheboygan, Eighth Street, Evergreen Park

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