Category Archives: Communication

E066 – Martina Fahrner: Clever Cycles

Bicycling, Business, Cargo, Communication, Family, Technology

With Brock in Germany, The Sprocket invites regular guest-host Aaron Flores to cover and man the boards. You could say he’s on his way to becoming their Steve Martin.

This episode’s guest is Martina Fahrner from Clever Cycles. We talk of the gender-divide within in the cycling industry (how it’s getting better and where it still needs to grow), how bicycles can be a utilitarian and not just a recreational instrument for life without a car and life with children, and we congratulate Aaron for staying sober while behind the steering wheel of the podcast.

enjoy!

Brandon

dictated not read

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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)

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E064 – David Watson, Pete Stidman: Boston Advocacy

Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, Uncategorized

In today’s episode we share two interviews with two Boston, MA based bicycling advocate organization leaders: David Watson of MassBike, a comprehensive statewide entity, and Pete Stidman of the Boston Cyclists Union, which focuses on the city itself.  Josh Zisson of Bike Safe Bostonmade the connection with MassBike and Rob Sadowsky of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance in Portland, OR suggested the BCU; many thanks to both for more quality interviews!  We’ll have one more Boston interview next week while Brock is in Europe, while Brandon and Aaron Flores will host an interview with Martina from Clever Cycles the week after.

We also mentioned the quick sale of all positions in this year’s Cycle Oregon week ride – perhaps some of you will have the opportunity to join in for next year’s event!

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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)

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E062 – Katie Proctor: Kidical Mass

Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, Family

Katie Proctor of the Portland Kidical Mass tells us about bicycling with children and how to begin changing transportation culture by having fun with how we get around.  It includes hot chocolate…

Also: swrve jeans, waterfalls and moss, crosscountry skiing,the Rick Emerson Show ends, and shit cyclists say

Headlines
RT from Michael Andersen: “The chained TriMet buses look like children excessively bundled up by well meaning yet overzealous parents”exm.nr/zRCcsz
Cycle Wild: new schedule for Portland area bicycle camping in 2012 is posted! go camping.
Listener Blayne in BC builds his own bookshelf instead of buying one – here’s how
BikePortland: City of Sherwood bans bicycles around “public places,” then amends law amidst outcry
BikePortland: SoupCycle reaches milestone 50,000th delivery

Mailbag
Patrick in Davis CA:  “As I was watching the Heat vs Bulls play today on tv, the commentators mentioned that due to the Miami marathon Lebron biked to work and that he sponsors a biking charity. They showed his bike, embossed  with his nickname “King James”, kinda cool.  I remember back in the era of “Neon Deon” that Deon Sanders would bike to games when he played for the Reds. Wonder how many other athletes bike to work?  Have a good show, Pav.”

Carl in CA: “I have been following this couple for a while. They are Raw Vegan evangelist Freelee Love ( Raw Fit Bitch) and Harley Johnstone (Durian Rider ). They live in Australia where they follow their passion of Raw Vegan eating, cycling and running. They are very adamant about their passions and have been loading the inter webs with informative and funny videos for a while now.”  Also: “Q. Do young people really go to Portland to retire?”

Donations: JohnnyK in FL, Blayne from BC.  thanks folks!

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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)

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E061 – Bobby Roberts: Transit Tweets

Communication, Technology, Transit

Today we speak with Portland radio & podcast legend Bobby Roberts about Portland transit, bicycling, and culture.  Mr. Roberts is one of the hosts of the Cort & Fatboy daily podcast, as well as a host on Hamfisted Radio, and is also notable for a plethora of other things.

Headlines
BBC via BikePortland: how does one cycle across the south pole?
Koga via BDR: mutating bicycle makes hiking more fun on the downhill portions
Treehugger via Susan: Lund, Sweden boasts a 60% bicycle commuter rate and is planning a 4-lane bicycle highway
Dutch Bike Co. via Susan: hipsters deserve credit for zip ties as a bicycle traction device
BikePortland: Portland Afoot distributes low-car life info in neighborhoods, furnishes “WalkScores.”

Mailbag
from David Heddy: “Looks like we might need to start looking for some ‘fair-trade’ tech. products…” also This American Life’s coverage of the topic.
Note: we discussed TAL’s episode with Mike Daisey shortly before much controversy erupted around it, so take our thoughts on it all with the necessary grain of salt needed to fully contextualize the piece.

Greg Hum writes from Boston; he’s a drum-biker and knows the guy that gave Brock his new helmet.

Also, we forgot to mention it on the show, but Josh Zisson from Bike Safe Boston sent us some t-shirts and we are now representing them properly:

 

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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)

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E059 – Josh Zisson: Bike Safe Boston

Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, Gardening, The Law

This week, in lieu of Dr. Jeff’s scheduled appearance, we present an interview Brock taped with bike lawyer Josh Zisson from Boston, MA during his December travels.  Josh has been working on bicycle law awareness and connecting bicyclists with resources for legal problems and clear presentation of state bicycle laws across the country.  He was also recently featured in an article from Fast Company.  And don’t worry, Dr. Jeff will be back in February once Brandon is done celebrating his birthday!

We discuss: bike lawyers, bicycling improvements in Boston, bike czar Nicole Freedman, perceptions and visibility, TravellingTwo & the dutch perspective, LA’s bicycle harassment law, confrontations, taking the lane, Whale’s Tale Pale Ale from Nantucket, Josh’s Bicycle Accident Reportcards, the Idaho Stop Law, Josh writes about “Putting Your Foot Down,” hopes for the future of bicycling in Boston, the Hubway bike share program, low income neighborhoods and transportation options, Brock’s take on Boston and its liquor laws, Portland: a paradise for bicyclists?, the armored car incident, parking meters and bike politics, Boston Bikes, Fred Armisen’s fear of bicyclilng, rail crossings that might be more bike-friendly, thePrince Spaghetti Factory, the shocking state of state laws, a catalyst for advocacy, bike boxes, knowledge leads to possibilities, Tim Jaques and the mispronunciation of his name, reflective Bike Safe Boston T-Shirts to benefit advocate groups, and the possibility of a burgeoning bicycle law network to protect you from unconscionable (or “scumbag”) lawyers.

Headlines
via SoupCycle: Educate yourself about which foods to definitely buy organic and which aren’t as bad.
via Ethan from PedalPower: bicycle composting tumbler helps you aerate your food scraps for the garden
via Michael Andersen: experimenting with packless travel!
via Carl in CA: many youngsters are finding driving to be less appealling

Mailbag
JohnnyK says “I really love coffee.  I probably drink more coffee than you guys drink alcohol.”

Chris in Arcata says: “I’m in Arcata, CA. Thank you for a podacst full of great fun, and info. Your podcast, and portland in general provide me constant inspiration to advocate bike issues in Arcata. I ride a sidewinder trike cycle which gets lots of attention in town. I also am a kinetic grand champion racer. Most well known as the “peace peddler”, and more recently the “sprocket brothers-private eyes” solving a case on the course. With a awesome portland based pit crew ! I have other bikes as well. My bicycle base is for fun, excersice, utilitarian uses. So a good variety of uses. Recently have seen two cargo bikes in town. Spoke to the woman on one yesterday, and she always has her child in the cargo box. It looks adorable, and practical. She said she got the cargo bike used in portland. I recently got the little package ear flap cap. So rest assured portland has it’s presence on the beautiful northern CA coast.” Thanks for the donation Chris!

Patrick in Davis CA says: “received the cool Sprocket Podcast stickers. I put one on my pepper peddler coffee box and one on work point of sale computer. Hope you get more UC Davis listeners in the coming new year. Really enjoyed the interview and learned new things about my coffee.”  Also, thanks for the Donation!

 

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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)

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E056 – Jena Robinson

Bicycling, Communication, Downsizing, Gardening, Kitchen

This week we talk to old friend Jena Robinson, who currently lives in the Nashville, Tennessee region, about her work with food reclamation and helping to meet needs.  We discuss: Nashville Greenlands, the Lents neighborhood of Tennessee, a work cooperative arrangement, dumpster diving, Nashville Food Project, garden management, meal delivery, working yourself out of business, primitivism leanings, accounting for non-financial costs, ethnic diversity in the community, etc.

While trying to connect with Jena, we weren’t sure if we’d connect with her and in a panic invited our wives to sit down with microphones and BS a bit.  It REALLY is a little rambly, due to the hosts’ ill-preparedness, and not to be ascribed to our wives.  Topics include bicycling accidents, coffee overnighters, new helmets, etc.

We also discuss regional Pacific Northwest accents, and also historical ones a la Daniel Day-Lewis.  And Brock is looking to have coffee or beer with Boston area listeners in the last two weeks of December.

Mailbag
Street Books is hosting a book drive.  By this week it’s already happened but you can check their wish list and make donations here.

Logan sends us an article on the Oregon Trail game from Dave Knows Portland!

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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)

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E055 – Alex Roth: The Pepper Peddler

Alternate Fuels, Bicycling, Brewing, Cargo, Coffee, Communication, Kitchen, Technology, Travel

This week we’re privileged to interview Alex Roth, founder of a Davis, CA based business that roasts and distributes coffee around a bicycle-based infrastructure.  Learn more at thepepperpeddler.com We discuss: misconceptions about The Pepper Peddler, roasting peppers, inspired by Burlingame Pizza, Davis mayor names the unofficial coffee of the city, Trek in the Park, he’s like a drug dealer, Four Loko drives regulation, HUB’s 7-Grain Coffee Infused Stout, the roasting setup with cycle mechanism and propane heat, business flux, roasting as a team and the Post-Roast Toast, delivery and pre-sales, coffee politics and economics, the “milkman” model of delivery, the kids that deliver the coffee and the fleet of bikes, rain pay (!), coffee origins and fair trade/organics, regional taste, describing flavors shouldn’t cause insecurity, a rough sketch of coffee economy, local food sources, seasonal orders, the special dark roast, the roaster’s blend, Fox 40 news spot, and lastly Alex’s bands The Mad Cow String Band and the West Nile Ramblers.

Mailbag
from David Heddy: “Very important discovery today…Brandon has talked about this several times.”

from Logan: “Whoah! Big news! Alan and Michael are closing up shop at EcoVelo! ‘Times they are achangin‘’ to quote Bob Dylan.” (we also mention this atrocious song from Dylan’s xmas project)

from Radimar: Portland is near the top of the list of Cities With Strangest People. True.

From StreetBooks: a book drive happening December 15th in Portland

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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)

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E052 – From The Tiny House!

Bicycling, Communication, Downsizing, Housing, Kitchen, Technology, Transit, Travel

We recorded our first episode away from home today at the RowdyKittens tiny house!  Logan and Tammy were nice enough to invite us in after we passively floated the idea via podcast, and so we set up a plethora of wires and instruments in their roomy miniature dwelling.  We were also joined by their friends Heather (of Mile73.com) & Dave (of TriMet Diaries and DaveKnows.org) who contributed to the conversations on tiny house life and low/cheap cell phone life (Heather’s in-depth examination of iPhone thrift is here).  All told, a lovely time was had by all!

Technical Note: the laptop we took over for recording was missing our usual recording software and I ended up downloading a freeware option on the spur of the moment to capture our show.  Since I’m not as familiar with the secondary option, I ended up mixing some of the test audio with the actual show audio; it turned out to be a little too confusing to listen to, but if you REALLY want to wade your ears through that cacophony because you love the show that much, get in touch and I’ll see what I can do.  Apologies, and thanks for listening!  – Brock

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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)

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E051 – Amos Hunter

Bicycling, Communication, Transit

Amos Hunter joins us this week to speak on the upcoming BikeCraft event (December 3 & 4, 2011 at Sandbox Studio) as well as his work with Portland’s own Bike Temple.  We drink Rock Bottom Brewery beer, and merriment ensues.  Also, here’s a link to the 8 peice ukelele band he’s in, Honky Tonk Prison.

Brock tests out the prototype of the Tom’s Cargo Bikes tallbike:
http://youtu.be/8JVqQk-pyS4

Headlines
Via Listener “Radimar”: Denver woman steals back her stolen bike while on a test ride
Springwise via Sally: in Paris, smartphones can now be used for transit passes
Street Roots via Sadowsky: local homeless paper comments on Occupy movement & housing
BikePortland: school custodian establishes bike club for kids in Hillsboro OR
BikePortland: Spencer Boomhower on residential neighborhoods vs. freeways
Portlandize: Dave Fuecht posts some fantastic photos of our city in Autumn colors

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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)

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E049 – Ethan Seltzer: Pedal Power

Alternate Fuels, Bicycling, Communication, Technology

We (finally) complete a successful interview with Ethan Seltzer of Pedal Power, the advocacy organization that educates on energy use while keeping it positive and lighthearted.  We also cover some news and describe our Halloween party from the night previous.

We discuss: educate in a fun and non-overbearing way, generating electricity by bicycle, a visceral experience of energy production, common household appliances and how much power they use (fact sheet), the Pedal Power event, power producing bike trainer, Lots of people making power, PF Changs cooking lunch, 100% off the grid mobile phone charging station and one more, funding! (http://pedalpwr.com/support-us/)

Headlines
Lifehacker: add turn signals to your bicycle for less than $40
Gizmag via Ethan: a virginia bike mechanic makes house calls with a mobile shop
BikePortland: meet Dezy Walls, the “Piano Bike Kid!”
The Southland Times via BikePortland: a steampunk Kiwi creates a coal-powered bike
WLBZ via Anomalily: Maine emergency workers train first responders on bicycles

Mailbag
Listener Tony recommends this speech given by Patrick Field – “Cycling is a (very fun) political process” – from the IQ2 Cycling festival.

“av3ry” comments on e48: “Love the podcast!  Back in the day, I used to be on LiveJournal a lot, and I followed Jeff’s Photography over there.  I haven’t really used LJ much over the past few years, so I lost track.  Then the whole thing with MAX FAQs happened, and I was re-introduced to him.  His transit comments are hilarious and spot-on, and his blogs are great as well.  He’s definitely one of my favorites on twitter!”

Carl from Animaheim: “The scene: On my bike commute in heavy traffic, a Chevy astro van; mom driving, a teenage kid riding shot gun yells some unintelligible crap. (sounded negative) Unlike my usual response to that kind of situation, I was like “best day ever!” trying my best not to be pissed. Although I was anyway.  I could not help myself,  after a momentary pause I yelled “Ass Hole” after they passed of course. But as luck would have it, an old man (windows rolled down) took the intentional brunt. I felt like a Dick, but only for a second… GOOD TIMES! Need to ask Dr. Jeff what he recommends. So head phones will be in full time from now on when I am in the street. A great tune for urban commuting is ” Tomahawk” by Adam K and BT. On iTunes.”

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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)

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