Category Archives: Transit

E173 Tony Deis: Trackers Earth

March 4, 2014Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Camping, Communication, Family, Technology, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Tony Deis of Trackers Earth joins us to talk about outdoor education, survival skills, and the value of community, and we make some connections to our interests in simpler living and bicycling. You might be surprised how much talk there is about LARPing, and how telling and participating in stories influences the way we think about the world around us.

Also: Oscars, our upcoming bicycle tour, ring bearers & Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

Headlines
How We Roll: new covered bike parking improves transit access in Forest Grove

Urban Adventure League: Shawn gives a rundown on traveling with a bike

Mail
Newest sustaining donors Wayne & Roger join our crew; Roger invites us to drop in when we bike through Santa Cruz!

Former guest Guthrie Straw says that the bike shop equivalent of “Stairway to Heaven” is “Bicycle Race” by Queen.

The Bicycle Film Festival, Portland happens Saturday, March 15 at 6:30pm at the Clinton Street Theater.

Keith in Walla Walla approves of Thunder Island Brewing.

JohnnyK asks: “Would it be possible to post a link to the XRAY.fm version of the show for those of us that are not within range to hear it over the air?”

Drew corrects Brock on his dynamo hub light and shares his ride down the California coast (a post on it on crazyguyonabike).

Jame shares a hilarious story about failed flirtation on light rail.

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 sustaining donors Logan Smith, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby & Wayne Norman for supporting our show costs.

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E172 – Leah Benson: Gladys Bikes

February 25, 2014Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Communication, Racing, Technology, Touring, Transitsprocketpodcast

Leah Benson of Gladys Bikes in North Portland, Oregon tells us a little about running a bicycle shop that’s a little different than the norm! Her business focuses on helping non-male customers find bicycles and accessories that suit their bodies best for the task at hand, including the operation of a saddle lending library that lets anyone borrow a number of them to find the one that feels best!

Also: Public transit to Mount Hood, rides on Sauvie Island, and how laziness shapes Aaron’s laundry situation.

Headlines
Diamond Cut Life: Tips for riding Amtrak & intercity bus enjoyably.

Mail
Christina writes in to let us know about free legal clinics for bicyclists hosted by the BTA & law firm Swanson, Thomas, Coon & Newton. The dates are March 26th, May 21st, June 25th, August 27th, and November 19th from 6-7:00 PM at the BTA Headquarters, 618 NW Glisan Street #401, in downtown Portland. They will cover Oregon bicycle and pedestrian laws, insurance policy coverage, and what to do if you’re in a crash; all attendees receive a free copy of attorney Ray Thomas’ book, “Pedal Power: a Legal Guide for Oregon Cyclists.”

JohnnyK loves last week’s show with Bojun, and is a new sustaining donor! We express our immense thanks to everyone who has signed on so far.

Jame also loved the interview with Bojun and wants to see better messaging about bicycles.

And more entertainment from the space bike comment thread on episode 165.

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 sustaining donors Logan Smith, Shadowfoot, & Kathrina Mellemgaard for supporting our show costs.

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E171 – Bojun Bjorkman-Chiswell: One Billion Bicycles

February 18, 2014Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, Transit, Travel, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Bojun Bjorkman-Chiswell is taking bicycle activism to a global level by exploring theOne Billion Bicycles that exist in the world and the impact they can have on the quality of life for people worldwide. Her website, The Bike In My Life, hosts the ongoing video series and helpful thoughts for anyone looking towards bicycling as a way of life, particularly those inclined towards fashion and beauty. We spoke with her about the project and her passion for bicycles & urban design.

Also: Aaron’s puddlejumping tendencies, windstorm power outages, Kelley Point Park. We also note Solarpad for outdoor enthusiasts & Broken Spoke Tacoma, and XRAY.fm!

Headlines
Critical Transit: the pedal powered snowplow
Riskology.co: How to take a refreshing shower on an airplane

Mail
New sustaining donor Kathrina joins Logan & Shadowfoot, which we greatly appreciate!

Steve in WY knew about the ELF trike when the idea was conceived!

Jeremy from Critical Transit wants one.

Josh G gives us a show review.

And Andy from Sacramento will be bicycle touring Oregon with a notebook full of suggestions.

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 sustaining donors Logan Smith, Shadowfoot, & Kathrina Mellemgaard for supporting our show costs.

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E170 – Steve Gutmann: Getaround

February 11, 2014Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Technology, The Law, Transitsprocketpodcast

Steve Gutmann is a sustainability genius and regional pointman for the peer-to-peer carsharing service Getaround. We talk to him about the history of carsharing, beginning with Dave Brook’s Carsharing Portland, and its evolution into the systems that are available today, including the ability to leverage your personal car’s potential into additional income and an incentive to drive it less. We wrap up with a surprise discussion of self-driving cars and how they might make cities more friendly to people in general (click to read Steve’s article on this subject).

Also: snowpocalypse! snow anarchy, the sliding truck, and enjoying an unexpected holiday.

Headlines BikePortland: Chicago brings Portland’s bag of biking tricks to Bronzeville’s ‘Black Metropolis’ BikePortland: Brandon Rhodes, Lents’ new bike-powered grocer

Mail Kirk twitters about Iowa & #godshandkerchief

Scott Cohen from the City of Portland writes in to clarify how demand for bike parking works, including a link to the guide to installing bike racks in the public right-of-way.

Chris in Arcata asks about Brooks saddle vendors in Portland. We mention these options:

• Wallingford Bicycle Parts, in Louisiana, has a 6 month trial guarantee on saddles •Gladys Bikes has a saddle library • Clever Cycles • Velo Cult • Universal Cycles • Joe Bike

And we watched Chris’ film recommendation Riding Bikes With The Dutch.

Bill Lascher finds it, Doctor Jeff predicted it: speed dating on public transit’s “singles car.”

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 sustaining donors Logan Smith & Shadowfoot for supporting our show costs.

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E167 – Lenny Anderson’s Swan Island

January 21, 2014Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Communication, Transit, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Lenny Anderson is famous for his advocacy for transit connections and active transportation in Portland’s industrial hub. After working tirelessly on these important issues, he has retired from his responsibilities on Swan Island and now has time to talk to us about the things he cares so deeply about! We cover the history of Lenny’s employment on Swan Island, TriMet’s routes onto it, Lenny’s involvement in protest over a neighborhood’s destruction, and getting the word out about the options for getting around that are available to everyone.

Headlines
BikePortland: local bike shops are in love with each other!

BikePortland: Velo Cult offers 24 hour turnaround on tuneups

BikePortland: Upcoming building project will feature 1200 bicycle parking spaces

Mail
Robert and Glenn set us straight on Lisbon.

A donation from Epic Image Studios!

Ethan has a religious experience listening to E166.

Tim in DC plans to cycle tour the Lewis & Clark route as well as the C&O/GAP route this summer, and wants to hear what tours other listeners will be planning.

George recommends “A Thin White Line,” a movie about people who run/ride/skithe iditarod trail.

photo from BikePortland.org

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E162 – Elly Blue: Bikenomics

December 17, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Car Ownership, Communication, Downsizing, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

Elly Blue is the author of the new book, Bikenomics: How Bicycling Can Save The Economy, and also the star of the now-famous Amtrak incident leading to a broader conversation on bike/train integration. We talk about the benefits of a bicycle lifestyle and multimodalism!

Aaron & Brock also discuss drinking coffee, coffee machine cuisine, Aaron’s new Disc Trucker, Spinlister, and Amtrak: Gangnam Style.

Headlines
Oregonian: new train service added to the Amtrak Cascades corridor
Bicycle Retailer: Specialized makes nice with Canadian bicycle builder
(Listener Dion also sent us the video of Specialized’s Mike Sinyard & Dan Richter getting along in person.)

Mail
Dion shares Martyn Ashton’s Road Bike Party videos – some sweet jumps and tricks!

Martyn later suffered a significant injury after falling backward during a demonstration.

Jeremy from Critical Transit twitters:
I never used studded #bike tires before last week but I’ve become a believer.

Logan sends us a TEDx video from Tall Bike Bobby!

Marcus sends us some info from Streetsblog on how unused parking can cost seattle renters a lot of extra cash.

Jack comments on Steph Routh’s move by bike episode and relates a story about a uhaul.

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E161 – Cathy Hastie: Those Arrogant Bikers

December 10, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Sharing, Communication, Family, History, Racing, The Law, Transit, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Cathy Hastie is a BikePortland lifestyle contributor who has written about comparative car sharing, fashion & clothing on bikes, and an article on “those arrogant bikers” recentlylabeled by Bike Snob as “possibly the smuggest article posted to [Bikeportland] to date.” She’s also a lifelong Portland resident who has been downplaying personal car use her entire life, so if anyone has claim to the right to be smug about transportation, it’s her! We taped more great conversation than you can shake a stick at.

Aaron & Brock also discuss Portland’s poet laureate, cold weather, and, later, the drinking club with a running problem (hashing!)

Headlines
RowdyKittens.com: Tammy Strobel launches A Simple Year: 12 months of guided simplicity
Oregonian: TriMet on the verge of sending vintage trolley cars to St. Louis, MO

Mail
Glenn in Edmonton clarifies #YEGbike, and inquires about GoPro, citing an archive on the topic both here and here.

A text: “Hmm a 40oz and Prince and The Revolution!”

Listener Dion twitters this article about Specialized’s suit against Cochrane bike builder; “but they won’t try that with Fuji, they sell a roubaix road bike”

Beercycling.com sends us their press release for the Ardennes Trappist Challenge – July 2014 will contain bikes & beer!

And iTunes and Stitcher reviews from our listeners!

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E160 – Michael Andersen: The Real Estate Beat

December 3, 2013Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, History, Housing, The Law, Transit, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Michael Andersen is a writer for BikePortland.org who covers a wide variety of low-car lifestyle topics, including his Real Estate Beat which aims to explore how property owners are making it easier to live without a car in the city’s rental market. We discuss presidential microphones and bike rides, low-car buildings & economic difficulties, how inclusionary zoning could help the situation, and the new micro-apartments being planned in the downtown and Hollywood districts.

Aaron & Brock also discuss the Critical Transit podcast, Bikecraft, renting a Prius, and dynamo lighting.

Headlines
BikePortland: the Oregon Outback gets organized
Diamond Cut Life: subtraction for the holidays

Mail
Tim in DC updates us on the Frontier Airlines bicycle policy.

Glenn in Edmonton on twitter has “become a big fan of the vibe of @SprocketPodcast” and links to a video of his snowy commute featuring birds! also, what does #yegbikemean?

Dan from MN texts in to say he enjoyed the show on bike moves!

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E156 – Mychal Tetteh & Rob Sadowsky: Privilege & Choice

November 6, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Communication, Family, Housing, Transit, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Mychal Tetteh is the CEO of the fantastic nonprofit Community Cycling Center in NE Portland, Oregon. He chats with us about growing up on the slopes of Mt. Tabor and how it contributed to his perspective on life and bicycling. We also chat about the New Columbia and his involvement with the Village Market, his history with the CCC, transit and first/last mile bike access, cultural barriers to bicycling and the nature of privilege & choice, and the CCC Holiday Bike Drive.

Rob Sadowsky is our recurring guest from the Bicycle Transportation Alliance with insights on advocacy and a quick wit.

Aaron & Brock discuss a tallbike/cargo bike swap with listener Drew as well as Aaron’s need for lights and a new computer.

Headlines
BikePortland: bike lane citation in Ashland highlights controversial Oregon law
BikePortland: the Portland Mercury now delivered by cargo bike!
Yahoo Shine via Dan Flores: Young lady’s bike is stolen, but replaced by a kind person

Mail
Tim from DC donates and recommends rain capes.

Jack from Apex, NC seconds the cotton balls with petroleum jelly as fire starter, as well as 35mm film canisters to hold them in; also magnesium!

Marcus shares a link to exciting statistics that show bicycles outselling cars in Europe! Also he is “Always glad to hear of Aaron and your adventures around Portland.” Rob references the similar american statistic from BikePortland.

Aaron’s coworker shares the video of the guy who stays in the bike lane no matter what.

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E152 – Emily Finch & Sarah Gilbert Ride To Astoria

October 8, 2013Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Car Sharing, Cargo, Communication, Technology, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

Emily Finch is Portland’s most famous bicycling mom.

Sarah Gilbert is with Stealing Time magazine.

They both took a weekend trip to Astoria on bakfiets over the Labor Day holiday!

Aaron & Brock discuss a trip to Michigan, and getting into Hood River through the back door by bike.

if you like the show, nominate us at PodcastAwards.com during the month of October!

Mail
Former guest Sally from twitter wants to get back into biking.

Our friend Trent says “listening to the show with Dan Flores and laughing my ass off!”

JohnnyK found a boot patching kit on the internet.

Phoebe in Boston deals with helmets and hair.

Antonio shares a sweet randonneuring video.

Headlines
Sandy Post: new bus service makes trip to Mt. Hood by transit bus possible!
All Aboard! via Brandon: Google helps Amtrak share real time train locations

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The Sprocket Podcast

simplifying the good life

Category Archives: Transit

E173 Tony Deis: Trackers Earth

E172 – Leah Benson: Gladys Bikes

E171 – Bojun Bjorkman-Chiswell: One Billion Bicycles

E167 – Lenny Anderson’s Swan Island

E162 – Elly Blue: Bikenomics

E156 – Mychal Tetteh & Rob Sadowsky: Privilege & Choice