Ben Wolf — cinematographer and director of the documentary Changing Lanes — is in good traffic this week for a conversation about using a Brooklyn bike lane project as a lens for understanding democracy, infrastructure, and why America feels politically stuck.

As the documentary begins its theatrical release in Los Angeles and prepares to stream on major platforms, Ben reflects on what local stories can teach national audiences and why good information matters more than ever.

We also touch on: How the pandemic created space to pursue creative projects. Cycling's transformation from outsider activity to mainstream. Why streets are a proxy for bigger political problems. Mayors Bloomberg, Adams, and Mamdani's approaches to bike infrastructure and street safety. Renters versus owners in infrastructure debates. Car commercials as propaganda for the status quo. Why there's no equivalent marketing for walking and biking. Film festival reception and upcoming theatrical release. Sicily hill towns where streets have stairs, and walking ten minutes to the piazza for coffee.

Timeline:

00:00 Ben Wolf and Changing Lanes.

07:23 Three years following a street redesign story.

08:15 The pandemic as catalyst for directing.

09:07 Wanting to explore local transportation and politics.

09:41 Streets as illustrations of democracy.

10:09 The locked public meeting.

11:12 Finding the spine of the story.

11:45 Housing debates bleeding into street fights.

13:58 Renters versus owners and credibility claims.

16:54 The broader political paralysis theme.

16:01 Mamdani election and optimism for change.

17:55 Bloomberg and Janette Sadik-Khan's rapid change era.

19:39 Mayor Eric Adams' record.

21:10 Why compromise feels impossible.

26:21 Corporate car propaganda versus reality.

30:48 Generations of automotive marketing.

36:34 The counter-narrative we don't get.

42:25 Making local stories nationally relevant.

43:06 The problem of bad information.

44:10 Car companies as propaganda experts.

44:51 Documentaries as counter to corporate messaging.

45:55 Theatrical release and streaming plans.

46:47 Hosting screenings in your city.

47:48 LA as the most car-centric place.

48:08 Using Olympics as catalyst for change.

48:33 The commute question.

48:53 A vacation house in Sicily.

49:22 Everything within a ten-minute walk.

49:38 Wrapping up.

Further context:

Where to view the film, upcoming.

Hosting a screening.