Category Archives: Communication

E222 – Bryan Hance: Bike Index

February 10, 2015Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Sharing, Communication, Technology, The Law, Theft, Transit, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Bryan Hance is one of the people behind the Bike Index, a database of bicycle serial numbers and traits that helps tie people to them when a theft occurs. We talk about the website, the situation on thefts (especially in Portland OR), avoidance tips, and their partnership with Spinlister. Bryan mentioned this inspiring story about some people who got their bikes back!

Brock also asked a few questions about the dialogue on bicycle theft as it relates to homelessness, and meant to mention this article from Street Roots, a newspaper published by and for people living outside.

Also: Brock got buzzed on an early morning commute (but refrained from u-lock justice a la R.A.M.B.O. [via JP]); Aaron is in Federal Way, WA for work. Gladys Bikesowner Leah Benson joins as this week’s co-host!

Join the Team Sincerity Ride on Presidents’ Day!

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Headlines

Washington Post via Tim Mooney: Portland is the only city gentrifying faster than D.C., report says
From bikeportland.org: Portland’s low-car transportation web ranks 7th nationally, study says
From Jackson Hole (WY) News and Guide via bikeportland.org: Bill would require neon clothes, government ID for cyclists

Mail

Eric Iverson’s call to action: join the Clinton Street ride

Alvaro recommends fw: thinking podcast on the future of bicycles

Logan alerts us to the presence of Rivendell bikes’ test fleet in Portland!

Nurse David asks how great smartphones actually are (or aren’t)

Glenn Kubish recommends a guest & signs up to be our foreign correspondent.

Fine Print
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
twitter: @SprocketPodcast
phone in or SMS: 503-847-9774
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, JohnnyK, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, Justin Martin, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Orange & Purple, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Jim Goodin, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Scott McAllister Morgan, Chris Gonzalez, Dan Gebhart, Zoe Campagna, John Blood, Alison Wiley, Andy Brunner, Dave Knows

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E221 – Maren Souders: Open Ears, No Car

February 3, 2015Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Simpler Living, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Urban Design, Vegansprocketpodcast

Maren Souders has never, ever owned a car. That’s an achievement even for those who’ve tried! She brings us some inspiring stories and thoughts on low-car life, the value of listening, and trying to eat vegan while taking Amtrak trains across the country. Notably, she’s spent some time on a multi-city listening tour, sitting in public places with a “free empathy” sign! Her webistes:dreamintochange.com & happytolisten.com

click here to find her petition for easier access to vegan meals for Amtrak passengers.

Also: Brock explored the wilds of SW Washington; Aaron rides to Boring.

Join the Team Sincerity Ride on Presidents’ Day!

Headlines

Copenhaganize: Climaphobia and Vacuum-packed Cities

bikeportland.org: Kidical Mass PDX invites biking parents to join family ride planning for 2015

Lovely Bicycle: Finding a Winter Wander-land (and Other Coping Strategies)

Mail

Organic Transit shares a story of a man who rode an ELF trike from Canada to Florida.

We got a letter from Mike in Midland, GA!

My Bike Won’t Fit Here

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E220b – Greg Hum: Drumbiker

January 29, 2015Adventure, Bicycling, Cargo, Communication, Fun, Music, Technology, The Law, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Greg Hum is a drumbiker. What is that, you ask? Well, take some rhythm and add it to your transportation. That’s where it starts. Brock speaks with him at his apartment in Cambridge, MA about sound and motion, bike fun, and the delicate line along which an event organizer walks when dealing with sensitive authority figures. Watch his videos on YouTube, especially the film “Making a Splash in Miami” that he submitted to last year’s Filmed By Bike, and join in on the fun with Boston Bike Party if you’re near the Boston area!

We mention Portland buckets ‘n slide blues band Hillstomp, who also make use of buckets (and are one of Brock’s favorite bands). Here’s the death metal washing machine, too, and the video where metal music was paired with the sound.

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E219b – Phoebe Sinclair: Whole Heart Local

January 22, 2015Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Fun, Kitchen, Simpler Living, Train Travel, Transit, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Phoebe Sinclair lives in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood and has a great sense of connection with the world around her. We appreciate her ability to cut the BS and buckle down to a mindful lifestyle, and have been grateful for her comments since she became one of our listeners several years ago. Our discussions rolls through several topics, including food, bicycling, transit, local community involvement, and dancing! Follow Phoebe’s adventures and observations atwholeheartlocal.com and keep an eye peeled for her forthcoming book in the future!

“May you be happy, may you be safe, may you be at peace.”

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E219 – Beth Hamon: Leaving On A Jet Plane

January 20, 2015Advocacy, Air Travel, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Family, Simpler Living, Touring, Travel, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Beth Hamon is a cantorial soloist on a circuit to synagogues in various parts of the USA, sharing her talents of music and spiritual direction with the people she has made connections with there. She joins us to give an update on her most recent work, discuss the environmental impact of air travel, and consider ethical living in transport as well as the rest of life.

Some of the resources Beth shared:
NYT: The Biggest Carbon Sin?
Wikipedia: Environmental Impact of Air Travel
Ivan Illich: Energy and Equity (Ideas in Progress)
Slate: Driving vs. Flying

Look for Beth’s music at CDbaby.com!

Also: Brock & Aaron take a trip to Stubb Stewart State Park

Mail

Tim Mooney is dismayed by the possible leverage of fees on the C&O canal. In particular, from $0 to $20 in the time it takes a congressperson to sign a document.

Alvaro is rocking our sticker (the old school one!) and says “give me 3”

Brandon Rhodes sends us a story about a dog that rides the bus to the park by itself.

Chris Gonzalez says “not the cable!”

Logan Smith sends us a fundraiser for “smart grips.”

Gerald got some polyester pants.

Eric Iverson:
“@SouthEastGrind also serves delicious 24 hr food! And I also don’t like Dave Matthews or his band or any combo thereof.”

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E217b – Susan McLucas: Bicycle Riding School

January 8, 2015Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, Fun, Simpler Living, Urban Design, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Susan McLucas teaches adults to ride bicycles if they have never learned to ride before. Her compassionate attitude and generous spirit are easily felt when speaking with her! We talk about what it takes to teach people to ride, what her experience in the field has been over 30 years of teaching. Find out more at bicycleridingschool.org!

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E213 – Alison Wiley: Rich In What Matters

December 2, 2014Advocacy, Air Travel, Bicycling, Business, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Simpler Living, Transit, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Alison Wiley blogs at Diamond Cut Life on simpler living for better quality of life; we can’t get enough of her common sense advice on matters like cold winter house heating, living like a salmon for an epic life, and using transit to break away on your vacation, and her recent discovery of ethical clothing company 541 Threads inspired her to get back in touch for another show. Plus: we swear less when we talk to her!

Also: Brock rents a Prius through RelayRides, and Aaron takes a folding bike onto theworst airline ever. We also briefly discuss curling, the mysticism of the morning hours, and mention the Better World Shopping Guide & Alison’s novel, Revelle!

Headlines

via Bike Portland, The NY Times: Finding a Salve for His Depression on Two Wheels

Mail

Jim in NY made some music by bike!

Drew’s cape isn’t our bag, but he’s hoping his Showers Pass jacket will be.

Dan’s hibernating bike in MN:

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, JohnnyK, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, Justin Martin, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Orange & Purple, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Jim Goodin, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Scott McAllister Morgan, Chris Gonzalez, Dan Gebhart, Zoe Campagna, John Blood, Alison Wiley

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E212 – Bryan Blanc: ORcycle, “a new way to digitalize bread crumbs.”

November 27, 2014Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Communication, Technology, Transit, Urban Design, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Bryan Blanc is a podcast listener who is studying transportation at Portland State University and collaborating on the ORcycle mobile phone app that aims to collect data for the purpose of improving our local infrastructure (BikePortland article here). We also talk about his experiences in Connecticut & Oregon on both sides of the transportation choice he made when he sold his car!

Also: Steph mentions an article about bike equity, and Brock hasn’t had any adventures since the last taping. We mention the Amtrak writers’ residency program. Happy Thanksgiving if you observe it, folks!

Mail

Rory from Michigan is in New Zealand!

Jim in NY finishes a charity ride he’s been training for, and oh, what a ride it was.

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, JohnnyK, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, Justin Martin, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien,Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Orange & Purple, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly,Jim Goodin, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Scott McAllister Morgan, Chris Gonzalez, Dan Gebhart, Zoe Campagna

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E211 – Jeff Everett: The FBC, Y’all

November 25, 2014Adventure, Bicycling, Communication, Fun, History, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Jeff Everett (the Jeff Everett) is a relatively new Portland resident, but he’s been coordinating bike fun for years. We talk about his early life in the southern US states, the bicycling scene in St. Louis, Missouri, and his move to Spokane, Washington where he established the long-running FBC, a series of rides at night leading from bar to bar, and through some shenanigans. Jeff also fearlessly disassembled our sound board before the show to fix an issue, like a champ.

Check out the great short form documentary about Spokane’s FBC, Keep It Simple, on Vimeo.

Also: Brock & Team Sincerity do Cranksgiving, and Aaron goes to see Cold Specks.

Headlines

BBC, from From Anna in PDX: The psychology of why cyclists enrage car drivers

From Bike Portland: Oregon Walks celebrates Vision Zero plan and honors livable-streets visionaries, & Tenth annual BikeCraft set for December 6-7

From Clever Cycles: Who says poetry doesn’t pay?

Mail

JohnnyK sends us instructions for using a protractor to determine how steep that hill you’re climbing is. “add a small level to toptube then hang a short string with a small weight at the end from toptube card for degree.” (conversation on Twitter) He also shares a story about using your bike to hunt rabbits.

Anna sends us a link to Cycling Without Age.

Ben sends in a record-playing bicycle.

Chris in Arcata sends us a video about a bike trip full of left turns.
[reminds me of what Tom Allen likes about touring]

Phil in AK on why he’s not vegan, but appreciates our considerations on clothing.

The Stickman tells us that Phoenix gets its bike share going ahead of Portland. Starts November 25th care of gridbikes.com

Glenn in YEG did Coffee Outside!

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E205 – Transportastic Studio Opening Party Podcast LIVE

October 27, 2014Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, Fun, Skateboarding, Transit, Urban Design, Walkingsprocketpodcast

So now that we at Open Roads Broadcasting have a network of shows being produced around themes of bicycling, transport, and simpler living, we decided to throw a party at the Independent Publishing Resource Center to show off our new digs. We recorded audio postcards (short interviews which you’ll hear included in future shows soon), posed in a photo booth that turns you into a crosswalk signal, played urban growth boundary twister, and recorded a live podcast for the crowd using hot-swappable show hosts!