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I'm sharing an episode from my other podcast, History Reinvented, here because 1), it's about a bridge--an historic bridge in Richmond, Virginia that is about to go through a major rebuild. And 2), it's the last episode of that series and I want to make sure everyone checks it out and listens to the other episodes in the series.

In this episode, I hangout with Richard Hankins, Executive Director of Partnership for Smarter Growth, who are invested in making sure the updated Mayo Bridge is equitable for everyone–not just cars, but bicyclists, pedestrians, people who fish, and buses — and they want to help make sure there’s access to what will be a new and improved Mayo Island.

History Reinvented is a two part podcast series that takes you on a trip around the Mayo Bridge and Mayo Island in Richmond Virginia, from its early beginnings to what the future holds for this historic part of the city’s Landscape.

If you’re a sponsor who may be interested in helping me produce other episodes on the History and Future of Richmond or want to sponsor this podcast, then please do reach out. I’d love to tell more stories like these.

Be sure to check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud. For 17 years, I had a world music show on a local public radio station, where I also happened to report on transportation topics.

Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad–where recently, I guest hosted an interview with 80s music icon Thomas Dolby.

History Reinvented and The Mechanics of Transportation are a Big Soap Production.

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Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube IanStewartCycles

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On this episode of the Mechanics of Transportation, I’m tackling the latest uptick of bicycle riders dying while out on the roads. It’ll be a two part series in which I talk with a Richmond, Virginia advocate from BikeWalkRVA who has expired traffic violence first hand and discusses what can be done to lessen those numbers; and I talk with Ken McLoud, from the League of American Bicyclists about the bigger picture.

If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and want to support my efforts then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. You can also help support my efforts by sharing this podcast on all your socials and rating it and leaving a comment in the show notes.

If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. You can also send me a tip via Ian-Stewart-82 . And if you’re a sponsor who’d you know, like to sponsor this show, then let me know. Thanks

Be sure to check out my other podcast, called History Reinvented, which is about the history and future of Mayo Bridge and Island in Richmond ,VA. And, I’m now on YouTube, at IanStewartCycles, where some of these conversations are also posted.

And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud. For 17 years, I had a world music show on a local public radio station, where I also happened to report on transportation topics.

Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad–where recently, I guest hosted an interview with 80s music icon Thomas Dolby.

History Reinvented is a Big Soap Production. I’m Ian Stewart, thanks for tagging along.

Support the show

Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube IanStewartCycles

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On this episode of the Mechanics of Transportation, I’m re-airing my conversation with self-described transportation nerd Veronica O. Davis. She uses her knowledge to spark progressive social change in the community and from her vast knowledge, wrote a book called Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities

She’s also a civil engineer, planner, transportation nerd, public speaker, community activist, guest lecturer, poet, blogger, lover of art, yogi, foodie, world explorer, wife, and mom.

But we mostly talk about transportation—here’s a revisit to my conversation with Veronica O’Davis.

If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and want to support my efforts then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. You can also help support my efforts by sharing this podcast on all your socials and rating it and leaving a comment in the show notes.

If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. You can also send me a tip via Venmo: Ian-Stewart-82. And if you’re a sponsor who’d you know, like to sponsor this show, then let me know. Thanks

Be sure to check out my other podcast, called History Reinvented, which is about the history and future of Mayo Bridge and Island in Richmond ,VA. And, I’m now on YouTube, at IanStewartCycles, where some of these conversations are also posted.

And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud. For 17 years, I had a world music show on a local public radio station, where I also happened to report on transportation topics.

Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad–where recently, I guest hosted an interview with 80s music icon Thomas Dolby.

History Reinvented is a Big Soap Production. I’m Ian Stewart, thanks for tagging along.

Support the show

Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube IanStewartCycles

Send us a text

On this episode of the Mechanics of Transportation, we talk with Dironna Moore Clarke, from the City of Richmond’s Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility, which is part of the Department of Public Works. She heads up projects that are dubbed Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper. But what is that?

Over the past year or more, her office has been installing temporary infrastructure projects known as lighter, quicker, cheaper. These can range from pop-up parks, to putting safety bollards to slow cars down as they try to turn right to putting up a roundabout.

It’s what’s known as tactical urbanism—which in other cities is also referred to as guerrilla urbanism, pop-up urbanism, or D.I.Y. urbanism. But, the far-off cousin of tactical urbanism stems from when citizens would take it upon themselves to say, install a stop sign or in the case of my neighbor, install a speed hump in our neighborhood.

So, what is Tactical Urbanism and lighter, quicker, cheaper all about? Let’s find out.

If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and want to support my efforts then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. You can also help support my efforts by sharing this podcast on all your socials and rating it and leaving a comment in the show notes.

If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. You can also send me a tip via Venmo at Ian-Stewart-82. And if you’re a sponsor who’d you know, like to sponsor this show, then let me know. Thanks

Be sure to check out my other podcast, called History Reinvented, which is about the history and future of Mayo Bridge and Island in Richmond ,VA. And, I’m now on YouTube, at IanStewartCycles, where some of these conversations are also posted.

And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud. For 17 years, I had a world music show on a local public radio station, where I also happened to report on transportation topics.

Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad–where recently, I guest hosted an interview with 80s music icon Thomas Dolby.

History Reinvented is a Big Soap Production. I’m Ian Stewart, thanks for tagging along.

Support the show

Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube IanStewartCycles

Send us a text

On this episode of the Mechanics of Transportation, we listen to this informal meeting that featured staff from RVA Rapid Transit, the Greater Richmond Transit Company, (GRTC) and the public about the impact that Zero Fare has made on residents, how it increased ridership and how if it goes away, could be detrimental to the city.

If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and want to support my efforts here at Big Soap Productions, then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. You can also send me a tip via Venmo–Ian-stewart-82 Thanks! And if you’re a sponsor who’d you know, like to sponsor this show, then let me know.

Be sure to rate the show, leave a comment and share with your friends. I

Speaking of checking things out, if you like world music and other tunes, be sure to check out my weekly streaming show called Ian’s World O’ Music, found on MixCloud. For 17 years, I had a two-hour, weekly wms on a public radio station, so I know how to groove. And, I have another podcast, called History Reinvented, which is about the history and future of Mayo Island and Bridge in Richmond–go check it out wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support the show

Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube IanStewartCycles

Send us a text

You can probably tell I’m a bike rider–a lover of the beauty of riding my bike anywhere I can. I’m such a nerd that I just created a YouTube channel showing my bike rides in suburbia (called Ian Stewart Cycles).

I often fantasize of going to the Netherlands and to Amsterdam to ride the city streets. So when I heard that two members of the Dutch Cycling Embassy were visiting Richmond, Virginia to share their knowledge, I wanted to make sure I went to an open house at Richmond’s beautiful Main Street train station.

So, here’s an audio diary of my afternoon hanging out at the open house with the Dutch Cycling Embassy.

If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and want to support my efforts here at Big Soap Productions, then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. You can also send me a tip via Venmo–Ian-Stewart-82

Thanks! And if you’re a sponsor who’d you know, like to sponsor this show, then let me know.

Speaking of checking things out, if you like world music and other tunes, be sure to check out my weekly streaming show called Ian’s World O’ Music, found on MixCloud. For 17 years, I had a two-hour, weekly wms on a public radio station, so I know how to groove. And, I have another podcast, called History Reinvented, which is about the history and future of Mayo Island and Bridge in Richmond–go check it out wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support the show

Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube IanStewartCycles

Send us a text

I first came across gravel rider Marley Blonksy via one of her many posts on Instagram in which she was slugging it out on a gravel race–not sure which one–but it doesn’t matter.

What does matter is that her positive spirit of encouraging others to get out on bikes no matter what your size or ability is infectious. It’s one of the main reasons she eventually became the co-founder and Executive Director of the now national group All Bodies on Bikes.

Because of her efforts in All Bodies on Bikes, other groups have popped up around the country and she’s become a spokesperson for major brands like Cannondale, Ride With GPS, Pearl Izumi, and Shimano, to name a few. all highlight that indeed, all bodies should be on bikes and shouldn’t be shunned for doing so. The non-profit also holds gravel races, sells plus-size clothing and has a great podcast.

If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and want to support my efforts here at Big Soap Productions, then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. Thanks!

If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. Thanks!

Be sure to rate the show, leave a comment and share with your friends. If you’re listening from far away or close by, let me know. You can also send me a tip via Venmo–Ian-Stewart-82. Thanks! And if you’re a sponsor who’d you know, like to sponsor this show, then let me know.

Speaking of checking things out, if you like world music and other tunes, be sure to check out my weekly streaming show called Ian’s World O’ Music, found on MixCloud. For 17 years, I had a two-hour, weekly wms on a public radio station, so I know how to groove. And, I have another podcast, called History Reinvented, which is about the history and future of Mayo Island and Bridge in Richmond–go check it out wherever you listen to podcasts.

The Mechanics of Transportation is a Big Soap production.

Support the show

Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube IanStewartCycles

Send us a text

A million trail users per year —that’s the number of visitors the Capital Trail in Virginia gets. It’s a paved, multi-use trail that runs just over 50 miles from the Richmond Capital to historic Jamestown. Along the way, you see beautiful farm lands, historic markers and some really cool businesses.

But contrary to what non-trail users may think, the path is not just for lycra clad bicyclists. Many people use parts of the trail for transportation to get to work or school; and there are skaters, walkers, and more who use the trail. I’ve biked it dozens of times and have done multiple stories on it.

Virginia’s Capital Trail took years to build and millions of dollars to fund it. I get into all of this with Executive Director Cat Anthony as well as how the foundation is feeling as federal funding for many things are getting cut.

If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and want to support my efforts here at Big Soap Productions, then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. You can also send me a tip via Venmo (Ian-Stewart-82), I’d love a cup of coffee. This podcast is solely done by me, w/ no help from a corporation or anything like that, so please consider subscribing.

If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. Thanks!

Be sure to rate the show, leave a comment and share with your friends. If you’re listening from far away or close by, let me know.

Speaking of checking things out, if you like world music and other tunes, be sure to check out my weekly streaming show called Ian’s World O’ Music, found on MixCloud. For 17 years, I had a two-hour, weekly wms on a public radio station, so I know how to groove. And, I have another podcast, called History Reinvented, which is about the history and future of Mayo Island and Bridge in Richmond–go check it out.

The Mechanics of Transportation is a Big Soap production.

Support the show

Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube IanStewartCycles