Nearly 100 people gathered at Goshen Theater for the latest Building Blocks Talks, welcoming Melissa Bruntlett and Chris Bruntlett to Elkhart County. The evening offered both encouragement and clarity for a community already committed to walking, biking, and building stronger connections between places.

Drawing from their books and more than 15 years of work in cycling advocacy, writing, and consulting, the Bruntletts focused on a central idea: communities are stronger when they are designed with people in mind. Their talk, Cycling Towards Empathy, explored why mobility choices matter, what healthier systems look like in practice, and how leadership from elected officials, staff, and advocates helps turn ideas into progress.

They were impressed by Elkhart County’s ambition and sense of possibility. With wide stretches of farmland, natural areas, and growing trail use for both recreation and transportation, they saw real opportunity to strengthen community connection, support local economies, and improve health and well-being. The challenges here, they noted, are familiar ones and shared by many regions.

A recurring theme was choice. The goal is not for everyone to bike everywhere, but to ensure people have safe and comfortable options for short trips. Trails and connected networks help restore balance by making everyday travel more accessible for more people.

For many in the room, the conversation helped connect the dots, affirming that the work underway across Elkhart County fits into a broader effort to build places that support daily life for everyone.

You can read more about the night on the Vibrant Communities website.