Category Archives: Urban Design

E199 – Kath Youell & Tessa Walker: Flatroute Your Laundry



Kath Youell is a return guest who runs Portlandize.com and participated in the 2014 Disaster Relief Trials in Portland;

Tessa Walker owns a sweet little handmade cargo bike (that has a tumblr!) and also competed in the DRT.

We talk about the experience of the disaster simulation, “flatrouting,” and doing laundry by bike, amongst other things.

Also: Listener Drew welds Brock’s bike back together, drink segment dedicated to Aaron’s niece, retort to close pass contest

Headlines

BBC: cargo delivery by bike hits the news again!

Tom Allen: how and why to WWOOF around the world by bike

Mail

Darren recommends the Vivente World Randonneur.

Harm from Rotorua NZ has a wicked commute in New Zealand!

JohnnyK asks about recumbent bakfietsen.

Dan from MN sponors this week’s episode with a donation!

Tim Mooney from Pedalshift calls in! check out his tour journals. He also sends a picture of a train for us to get hot and bothered about.

Sebastien asks about the warranty on Brock’s broken bike.

Chris in Arcata: Northern CA now has red asphalt for its bike lanes, & a question about glasses

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, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, Justin Martin, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien


EXmas Special



 

Just two days back and Brock is going through some culture shock. My brother Dan is also in town, so the four of us – Adele, Brock, Dan, and myself – sit down to document this momentous occasion. As of today, Brock says he issues a blanket retraction of everything he said here, but also acknowledges the importance of publishing this record as a counter-balance the “sunshine and bunnies” sheen we are so often putting on this great great great awesome fun city.

I FUCKIN’ LOVE PORTLAND!! (af)

Dan’s legs hurt.


E186 – Kath Youell: Cargo & Kids



Kath Youell is excited about cargo & family bike-fietsing, and is the caretaker at thePortlandize.com website.  We talk with her about her bicycling induction, the move from Sacramento, and helping to coordinate a cargo bike gang around town!

Also: Brock forgets to time his transit trip correctly, but finalizes his move out of the apartment, and Aaron does an “endo” when his pannier slips into his spokes!  Along with Kick Ass Oregon History’s summer road trip & Pedalpalooza!

Headlines
BikePortland: Preparation tips from a Pedalpalooza veteran
Gizmodo: SF police use high-tech solutions to track bicycle theives
     (sent in by Mark the Hammock Guy)
BikePortland: Project 529 uses high-tech solutions to track bicycle theives, and more!

Mail
JohnnyK writes about french-pressing his coffee by bike.

Ethan from Energy Cycle shares “an event at Hardywood Brewery where we had two spin sessions (40 cyclists total) on our energy producing bike trainers. We harnessed the energy to provide power to the beer brewing equipment. Fun times!  The beer we created was called “Amperage Ale”, and was quite tasty.”

Former guest Diane from TriMet shares:
“Comto Oregon is putting on this bike safety event on June 18.”

Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) is the nation’s only multi-modal advocacy organization for minority professionals and businesses in the transportation industry. COMTO is in a unique position to be involved to speak on behalf of minority professionals and businesses on the cutting edge of transportation issues that are sweeping the nation.

“The PDX Bicyclist’s Commute”
Wednesday, June 18th
11:30am – 1:00pm
ODOT Region 1 Building Conference Rooms A&B
123 NW Flanders Street
Portland, OR 97209
(registration required)

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, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, & Justin Martin


E185b – Dee Williams live at Powell’s Books



Dee Williams is a builder of tiny homes and the author of her new memoir, The Big Tiny. She shared a bit of her story and an excerpt from the book at a reading in Portland’s city of books.  Thanks to listener & former guest Logan Smith for capturing this audio for us!


E185 – Tammy Strobel & Logan Smith: Tiny CA



Tammy Strobel & Logan Smith share a tiny house parked in rural northern California.  We spoke with them just as they were moving there from Portland a few years ago, and now they return to fill us in on the experience as it has shaped up over time.  Tammy writes at RowdyKittens.com, and Logan blogs at loganblairsmith.com

A few links of interest to things in our discussion:
the Caravan tiny house hotel in Portland, OR
the Recode Oregon project working on code issues with alternative dwelllings
the Phone Bloks project for modular mobile technology

Also: Brock & Aaron talk about their weekends, and a freight train passes.

Mail
Tim in DC shares a soggy episode, and the ranking of bicycle cities.

Kirk twitters about our similarities to Sound Opinions.

Brandon shares the IKEA electric bicycle (available only in Europe, presently).

Bob shares the news about  Wash Cycle Laundry!

Tour De Clack is coming June 14!

Phoebe from Boston does a write up of her visit to Portland.

Pat writes in to comfort Aaron on his experience of eating fried baloney.

Roger sends in an update on the case of the lady suing a dead bicyclist’s family.

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 SmithShadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, & Justin Martin


E184 – Brandon Rhodes: Rolling Oasis



Brandon Rhodes, besides being one of the show’s founding cohosts and an all-around good guy, is the proprietor of the new sustainable (and replicable) local produce delivery service Rolling Oasis.  He had a vision for a business that would connect his neighbors to healthier food options while he aimed to connect with his neighbors, and thus a great idea was born.  We get the skinny from him on how his model works and what it’s been like to launch the venture!  Steph Routh fills in as cohost in Aaron’s absence.

Also:
Brock & Adele’s bike move
tickets now available for Aftermass
Kick Ass Oregon History’s summer road trip
Pedalpalooza! it’s June 5th – 28th this year.

Headlines
BikePortland: Something has gone wrong in Portland
c|net: the inventor of Palchohol explains how it works (via Logan)

Mail
Mark sends us links to AAA roadside support for cyclists, and some posters from the “golden age of bicycling.”

Dan (whom we convinced to move to Portland…  kind of) weighs in on snippy attitudes between cyclists.

So, who would YOU like to see as guests for our big 202 epic live episode? We wanna hear your top fives!

Sebastian shares: “I’ve occaisionally heard the phrase “bandit camping” in your podcasts. This fellow artfully takes the practice to new heights.”

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, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, & Justin Martin


E183 – Diane Goodwin: Transit On Tap



Diane Goodwin coordinates the Transit on Tap events for TriMet, allowing the interested public and transit experts to interact about important issues concerning public transportation.  We chat with her about the event series, her own personal history with transit, and many other things related to Portland’s regional transit provider!

Also:
tickets now available for Aftermass

Headlines
BikePortland: Ashland OR man cited for leaving bike lane found guilty
Thunder Island Brewing: Bicycle Eclectic Portrait Exhibit now on display at the brewery
Jan Heine from Bicycle Quarterly: Pro-joy instead of Anti-racing

Mail
Phoebe writes in on women’s safety in transportation options, and cheering for running bus riders.

Timo writes appreciation for Madi & Katie’s episode and comments on the laws around cell phone use pertaining to bus drivers.

Mark shares a great summary of the Idaho Stop Law.

Neighbor Kelly found this Sprocket Beer:

and Tim in DC found ”the OG cargo bike:”

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 SmithShadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, & Justin Martin


E182 – Jerry Zelada: Advocacy is Easy



Jerry Zelada is an optometrist by day, and an advocate by night.  Actually, he’s always an advocate and an activist, because that’s how changes get made at the levels that matter.  We talk to him about how bicycling runs in his family and his touring adventures in an earlier decade, the infrastructure debate surrounding Portland’s NE 28th Avenue business district, and how the state of Oregon provided a place at the table for nonmotorized road users in all areas of the state through the ODOT ACT.  Jerry’s website is: zelada.com

Also:
Gladys Bikes move-by-bike
tickets now available for Aftermass
No Tech Magazine shares an 8 wheeled cargo hauler

Headlines
BikePortland: Skamania Transit offers bike-friendly weekend service starting May 1

[Also, UrbanTurnip offered on twitter: “i thought #skamania was going to be a music festival or a checkered bike lane”]

TriMet: Ride around Washington Park FREE! Line 83 weekend service begins May 3

Mail
Eric from Portland wants to know what bike shorts and chamois creams we prefer.  We respond by encouraging the use of leather saddles.

Doug on Surly snobs & custom details.


E179 – Doctor Jeff: Top-Level Commuting Expertise



Doctor Jeff is our perennial transit-loving advocate with a heart of gold, a head full of jokes and a wit as sharp as whatever gave you your last paper cut.  He joins us to hold forth on matters of transit, twitter, family, and vinyl.  It’s been to long!  So, let’s stay in touch this summer, eh?

Here are links to Jeff’s writing on the Westside Tunnel & his morning walk.

Headlines
Reptiles & birds change due to global warming

Mail
Neighbor Kelly catches up on some back episodes.

Jim submits a few more palindromes to Aaron’s chagrin & Brock’s delight.

JohnnyK recommends freecycle.org as a free box alternative.

Mark writes in on his experience with hammock camping – he took a respectable trip to Ionia State Recreation Area north of Ionia, near Saranac, MI!  He now greatly prefers it to traditional tent camping.

Trent explains how to say SLO.

Daniel from San Antonio alerts us to his new blog on bicycling infrastructure and culture in his town!

Chris from Arcata on Devil’s Slide south of SFO (These two articles can tell you some of the story) & the new Redwood Lily Hostel in Arcata, first of it’s kind, here.  Discounts to hostel goers on bicycles!

Congratulations to The Stickman on the birth of his son!

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
Shadowfoot
Kathrina Mellemgaard
Roger Grigsby
Wayne Norman
Doug Robertson
Ethan Georgi


E171 – Bojun Bjorkman-Chiswell: One Billion Bicycles



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.