February 3, 2026 - Toronto, ON — The acclaimed urbanist podcast The War on Cars is bringing its live show to Toronto for a special one-night event this Thursday to explore the ideas behind their new book, Life After Cars, and the growing global movement for better cities.
Hosted by Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear, the Brooklyn-based podcast blends storytelling and humor to examine how cities can move beyond car dependence toward healthier, safer, and more vibrant communities. The Toronto stop comes at a pivotal moment for transportation debates in the city and across the region.
The War on Cars LIVE
When: Thursday, February 5 at 7:00 pm
Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema (506 Bloor St W)
What: Live discussion on the future of cities with a particular focus on Toronto
Doug Gordon said: “Our Life After Cars book tour is finally taking us to Toronto, the modern birthplace of The War on Cars. Other people and places used the phrase earlier, but it was former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford who inspired the title of the podcast.”
Sarah Goodyear said: “Now with his brother Premier Doug Ford wasting time and taxpayer dollars in an obsessive anti-bike crusade, it’s a really good time for us to pay a visit and hopefully bring more attention to the simple fact that Toronto will not solve traffic by ripping out bike lanes.”
About
Sarah Goodyear is a journalist and author who has covered cities and transportation for publications such as Grist, CityLab, and Streetsblog.
Doug Gordon is a TV producer and writer who is also a neighborhood safe streets advocate, better known online as Brooklyn Spoke.
In 2018 Sarah and Doug came together with Aaron Naparstek to create The War on Cars podcast out of a sense that no one was covering the subject of cars and what they do to culture, society, and the planet in the way they felt it deserved. Together they wrote Life After Cars, published by Penguin Random House in 2025. Doug and Sarah continue to host the podcast.
The War on Cars LIVE is presented by Cycle Toronto, a member-supported charity working to build a healthier, more vibrant cycling city for all. Cycle Toronto was recently the lead applicant in a successful Charter challenge that blocked the Province of Ontario’s attempt to remove 19 kilometres of protected bike lanes in Toronto.
The event is generously sponsored by The Biking Lawyer LLP, major injury lawyers for cyclists, injured people, and survivors across Ontario.
Get tickets here.
