Bike Talk

Walk Bike Berkeley organizer Ben Gerhardstein on why Berkeley needs the Hopkins Ave protected bike lane they fought for so long to get and finally won, and why the opposition was so vitriolic.

(2:15)

A recent study, “Beyond Cyclists,” finds that support for and opposition to cycling infrastructure don't always follow intuitive lines, and the ways pro-bike arguments are framed matters. Quebecois researchers Jérôme Laviolette, Kevin Manaugh, Owen Waygood unpack their study https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967070X26003057.

(6:30)

Our bike lawyer Jim Pocrass talks with our news anchor, Stacey Randecker, about her e-bike crash, her medical treatment, her settlement, and why every document mattered.

(35:05)

News: Amazon responds to Mamdani’s cease-and-desist letter https://thehill.com/business/6017218-amazon-new-york-mamdani-e-bikes/.

A Boston City Official Wants Cars To Stop Blocking Bike Lanes And Crosswalks https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/content/boston-city-official-wants-cars-to-stop-blocking-bike-lanes-and-crosswalks/.

Durham Dedicates $1M To Protecting Bike Lanes https://indyweek.com/news/durham-dedicates-1m-to-protecting-bike-lanes/.

UT Austin officials say a new mobility plan is coming as cyclists worry about potential bike ban https://www.kut.org/text/transportation/2026-08-06/austin-tx-university-of-texas-campus-speedway-bike-ban-cycling-pedestrians.

(44:30)

Fresno County’s Board of Supervisors buried Measure C, a transportation tax favoring local roads and transit over freeway expansion, using a procedural trick. A law just signed by California Governor Newsom would foil the Board and put Measure C on Fresno's ballot in November. The Supes plan to sue, claiming the law is unconstitutional. Fresnoland's Editor in Chief Danielle Bergstrom reports. https://fresnoland.org/2026/08/06/the-fight-has-just-begun/.

(47:35)

Taylor on being a bike nerd and making friends by bike, like Kay Shuster https://kaybikes4kids.com.

Bicycles Are Partisan now, writes Lo Sontag https://www.suburbanreview.com/p/bicycles-are-partisan-now in light of the MAGA federal assault on biking. But the real divide isn’t left/right, it’s who has power and who doesn’t.

5:41

Listener Tim Dyet writes he plans a bike trip in NY, inspired by Taylor’s recent ride from SF to Michigan. Tim plans to take his bike on an Amtrak train- speaking of which, the League of American Bicyclists has issued a report on bike friendly trains https://bikeleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/LeagueOfAmericanBicyclists_AmtrakReport_2026.pdf.

19:45

Nietifa, a listener, suggests a “limited license” for bad drivers https://bsky.app/profile/lukewanderer.bsky.social/post/3mrajbqsdo22p.

24:27

In “The Social Cost of Automobility, Cycling and Walking in the European Union,” Swedish researcher Stephan Gosling says that in advocating for bike infrastructure, we shouldn't argue against cars. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921800918308097.

25:55

Stacey’s News: After years of debate, Berkeley approves Hopkins bike lanes https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/07/30/community/berkeley-hopkins-bike-lanes-approved/.

Archer Ave Bike Lanes Tension Fuels Political Ambitions in Chicago https://southsideweekly.com/archer-ave-bike-lanes-tension-fuels-political-ambitions/.

A woman in a Queens bike lane was fatally struck by SUV driver who never stopped https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/08/01/woman-in-queens-bike-lane-fatally-struck-by-suv-driver-who-never-stopped-nypd/.

Pedestrians and cyclists can cross the Gordie Howe International Bridge for free in Detroit https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2026/07/28/pedestrians-cyclists-can-cross-gordie-howe-international-bridge-for-free-beginning-aug-5/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTZfQBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR7H4ETfc-ie_Zm2liqd5k6jgRd23CpR95PohJUgaZvudYwiPKgoDWtFrp-NoA_aem_nZIXP2dt91R24ORX0X1bQQ.

41:26

Berkeley’s long overdue approval of the Hopkins Avenue protected bike lane- Robert Prinz, Bike East Bay.

44:27

The USDOT/FHWA removed bike lanes, road diets, and speed management tools that have been shown to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities from their list of Proven Safety Countermeasures on USDOT/FHWA sites https://www.npr.org/2026/07/16/nx-s1-5893672/dot-bike-lanes-speed-cameras-safety-measures. Is the administration anti-safety? Of course, as League of American Bicyclists Deputy Executive Director Caron Whitaker explains, the Proven Safety Countermeasures' removal by USDOT does not change the fact that they make roads safer.

6:50

Bike share is transportation! Recognizing this, bike-sharing Brooklyn Councilmember Lincoln Restler https://council.nyc.gov/district-33/ has a bill to cap Citibike fares at the price of a bus or subway. Lincoln talks about CD 33's other bike/active transportation/safe streets initiatives, too.

17:54

San Francisco architect Ben Frommagen is on a 4,200 + day streak of riding every day for two hours (almost 12 years). Taylor rides along with Ben and talks over coffee about the personal, mental and physical trade-offs of keeping the streak.

36:08

Is biking in wildfire smoke the new normal?

Portland broke the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest electric bicycle ride on July 19! Claire Vlach, BikeLoud PDX Communications Director, reports back to Taylor https://www.portland.gov/transportation/news/2026/7/19/news-release-portland-breaks-guinness-world-recordstm-title-largest#:~:text=(July%2019%2C%202026)%20With,previous%20record%20holders%20in%20Seattle.

2:41

Peter Norton, author of “Autonoroma: The Illusory Promise of High-Tech Driving,” on why Autonomous Vehicles won't save us, Part II https://bookshop.org/a/99134/9781642832402.

13:18

NEWS-The Wu administration shelved safety plans for Boston streets where a driver killed Louisa Gag-a bike activist, transportation planner, and member of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's staff https://mass.streetsblog.org/2026/07/14/wu-administration-shelved-safety-plans-for-mission-hill-streets-where-driver-killed-louisa-gag. Louisa worked at Living Streets Alliance before working with Mayor Wu https://www.livablestreets.info.

Xandro Meurisse struck from behind by car driver after Tour de France time trial https://www.cyclingnews.com/pro-cycling/racing/bike-broken-and-police-on-the-scene-as-xandro-meurisse-struck-from-behind-by-car-driver-after-tour-de-france-time-trial/.

Atlanta's new bike barriers are flipping cars (and it's not the barriers' fault) https://www.motorbiscuit.com/atlantas-new-bike-barriers-are-flipping-cars-and-sparking-debate/.

RAGBRAI 53 https://ragbrai.com/.

26:03

The president of Greater Boston New England Mountain Bike Association, Mary McCarthy, on the meaning of bike advocate/Boston Transportation Planner Louisa Gag's death to the community in Boston.

28:31

Political stars including Mayoral candidate Nithya Raman spoke in support of CicLAvia’s open street at its “Meet the Hollywoods” event this past Sunday. Meanwhile, CicLAvia reported that LA Metro was about to quietly end future funding for open street events and asked for support. People phoned and emailed Metro’s board, and the Board voted unanimously to advance a motion to identify additional funding dedicated to open street events through 2028 https://mailchi.mp/ciclavia/metro-board-funding-july26?e=acba072215.

29:44

Nick meets Dan Bolognani and Dan McGuinness, core members of the Western New England Greenway, a multi-segment, multi-state bike route that links New York City and Montreal, on a recent ride with Bike Talk listener Tom O’Brien https://wnegreenway.org/events/.

31:31

Robin and Amy Verner, a retired couple on the Western New England Greenway ride, on how they bought a segment of rail trail near their home in Manchester, Vermont and made it part of the WNEG bike network.

35:30

Taylor interviews the Lansing Bike Party members Tim and Jeff Potter, Andy Rohrer, and Rick Oberle https://www.facebook.com/groups/lansingbikeparty/.

38:47

Amy Verner on what it was like to be a boomer in the bike business and how the bike business catered to boomers.

49:50

Taylor completes his bike journey from California to Michigan and is met by his 101 year old father, Irving “Irv” Nichols, who still drives. This sparks a discussion of the possibility of a future where Autonomous Vehicles are required with our Bike Lawyer, Jim Pocrass.

Listener Email- Mitch Hull of Battle Creek offers Taylor a place to stay and help with his bike.

13:37

Taylor’s day is saved by Rick, mid-michigan bike advocate and urban planner, who lets Taylor draft behind him.

15:06

Why Autonomous Vehicles won't make us safer, with Peter Norton, author of Autonorama: The Illusory Promise of High Tech Driving https://bookshop.org/a/99134/9781642832402.

20:09

An obituary for 77 year old Charlie Cunningham, mountain bike pioneer, by Jim Cadenhead, who interviewed Charlie’s wife, mountain bike pioneer Jacquie Phelan, for Bike Talk https://biketalk.org/2025/03/bike-talk-2509-the-firecracker-a-vigil-an-icon-and-two-directors/.

38:18

Jim also reflects on the killing of Louisa Gag, a longtime street safety advocate and transportation planner, who was on her bike in Boston when hit by a truck driver https://mass.streetsblog.org/2026/07/10/louisa-gag-longtime-street-safety-advocate-identified-as-thursdays-crash-victim.

39:25

Taylor gets a tour from curator Alyssa Young at the Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum in the self proclaimed bicycling capital of America, Sparta, Wisconsin https://www.dekeslaytonmuseum.org.

41:30

Taylor interviews a group of older e-bike riders on getting e-assisted through the famous pitch black tunnels of the Elroy Sparta trail in Sparta https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/elroysparta.

49:06

Taylor reflects on his trip.

52:40

Back on the bike and headed East in Minneapolis, Taylor finds out what’s next from Brian and Mary Georgia on day 33 of their ride West from the Outer Banks of N.C.

2:23

Tom O’Brien goes over the 2-day ride Nick’s about to do on the Western New England Greenway, a bike-friendly route from Norwalk, CT to Canada https://wnegreenway.org.

6:09

Listener emails: a boost from Baltimore Fred, concerned Karen in L.A., and Jens in Norway on the politics of bikelash.

9:00

Families For Safe Streets on who they are, their Stop Superspeeders laws in 18 states, their framework requiring Autonomous Vehicle travel to be as safe as air travel, and increased insurance requirements in D.C. With Sam Trumbull, D.C. FSS leader https://www.familiesforsafestreets.org/stop-super-speeders.

16:19

News: Conservationists ride 2,500 miles for whooping cranes https://flatwaterfreepress.org/a-nebraska-photographer-rode-his-bike-from-texas-to-canada-he-did-it-for-the-cranes/. Cape Verdeans in New Bedford, Mass. celebrate 51 years of independence with their 47th annual community bike ride https://www.newbedfordguide.com/cape-verdeans-revive-47-year-bike-ride-picnic-tradition-to-celebrate-dual-independence-in-new-bedford/2026/07/02. Edmonton, Canada bike path plans hit resistance from parking advocates https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-city-council-bike-lanes-capilano-9.7260871. The US Transportation Secretary will redirect $1.73 billion in Biden-era grants away from establishing “DEI bike lanes” to build car infrastructure https://newrepublic.com/post/212853/donald-trump-transportation-secretary-bike-lanes-dei.

30:25

Taylor talks with Minneapolis bike advocates Laura Mitchell, Luke Van Santin and Brett McGraw about whether there are too many bike advocacy organizations.

33:08

Fellow traveler Jake Hess on the transition back to normal from a big bike tour.

39:56

Taylor unwinds with Dylan, Laura, and Brett Mcgraw after they escort him into Minneapolis.

2:38

Taylor talks to Jules, Mel, and Brian at Minneapolis’ People’s Pride Ride.

10:01

Taylor talks to Christina, a Hennepin County DOT Bike & Ped planner, at the Minneapolis Pride Ride.

16:28

Taylor talks to the manager at Venture Bikes, more than a bike shop in Minneapolis.

21:05

Advice for a listener, Kimberly, planning a bike tour in North Dakota.

24:15

News: Carlsbad launches an online portal to report dangerous e-bike riders https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/carlsbad-launches-online-portal-report-dangerous-e-bike-riders/509-1ff0af88-5118-4c0f-828d-09c3edf32a90.

Virginia and Arizona will be the first states to incorporate speed-limiting devices for dangerous drivers https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/virginia-install-speed-limiter-combat-144534834.html.

The Dutch National Soccer team bought 17 bikes from a Kansas City shop after Momentum magazine ranked the 16 World Cup venues by bike access and KC came in last place https://www.kansascity.com/sports/fifa-world-cup/article316077245.html.

28:50

Families For Safe Streets released a framework for regulating autonomous vehicles like the aviation industry. Marco Connor summarizes the framework https://www.familiesforsafestreets.org.

31:21

Taylor meets Bob, a rider touring America from East to West coast.

45:18

Highs and Lows- Shane, a rider who’s fresh off a double century in North Dakota, lifts Taylor’s sagging spirits.

1:48

Bike mechanic/ owner of Battle Road Bikes Jim Cadenhead advises Taylor on his stuck shifter.

9:45

News: A cop hits a rider in a protected lane in Brooklynhttps://nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/06/16/to-protect-and-unnerve-cop-hits-cyclist-with-squad-car-in-a-protected-bike-lane. California denies LA’s request for more time on its street improvement projects https://laist.com/news/transportation/california-active-transportation-grants?fbclid=IwZnRzaASgRHBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeWu2I2rXzwMIat2-qiF9g4b12PPTK_Eg_Mu_6wjc0mxFVPtnhCode1038OBE_aem_cXjPTApaDIK1kyfEFIhnGg. The UCI Mountain Bike World Series finishes Lake Placid https://www.ucimtbworldseries.com. Lime beats world bikeshare record during the USA-Australia 2026 World Cup match in Seattle https://www.sounderatheart.com/2026/06/lime-bikes-smashes-ridership-record-for-usa-australia/.

15:30

A new study by Marcel Moran shows protected bike lanes increase ridership, unlike sharrows and painted lanes https://www.nature.com/articles/s44333-026-00107-2.

18:50

Preserving Safe Bikeways SB 569, Sponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition, would make it a little harder to rip out bike lanes that took years to build. With Andrew Wright, Communications Director of the California Bicycle Coalition https://www.calbike.org/press-release-preserving-safe-bikeways-sb-569/.

30:26

Host of RollingThru, a PBS bicycle travel series exploring climate solutions, community and culture from Buffalo to Brooklyn-Patrick Kelly https://www.pbs.org/video/trailer-rolling-thru-i1xoju/.

34:45

Taylor meets 71 year old cross country rider Kay, again https://kaybikes4kids.com.

50:15

Still touring, Taylor finds the Stray Bullet Restaurant in Ovando, MT and talks with the owner, Leigh Ann Valiton.

2:39

Taylor gets his shifter fixed by Brandon on the mechanic's last day at Bighorn Bike Shop in Great Falls, MT.

7:43

In a NY Minute, Streetsblog NYC Editor Gersh Kuntzman explains how Knicks fans reclaimed NYC streets from cars.

10:30

News: Driver kills kids on bikes on an unprotected path in the Netherlands https://dutchreview.com/news/four-dead-after-car-hits-dutch-school-group/. A student bikes from Pennsylvania to Texas to root for Japan in the World Cup https://www.wtae.com/article/western-pa-student-bikes-world-cup-match/71580228. Fans bike 11,000 miles from Argentina to the World Cup in Texas https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/argentina-fans-bike-over-11-200036030.html.

11:37

Chicago Bike Grid Now! organizer Chris Gentry on a die-in and rides in memory of Riley O'Neil, a Complete Streets planner who led Chicago's bike parking program and was killed after being doored in an unprotected bike lane https://chi.streetsblog.org/2026/06/17/complete-streets-planner-riley-oneil-died-in-a-paint-only-bike-lane-protesters-demand-we-value-people-over-parking.

13:00

Creative approaches to funding open streets events from the pros who organize open streets in LA, Minnesota, San Francisco and NYC: John Surico https://www.johnsurico.com, Max Musicant https://www.musicantgroup.com, Dr. Adonia Lugo https://www.urbanadonia.com, Tafarai Bayne https://recreation.parks.lacity.gov/commissioners/tafarai-bayne-bio, Darin Ow-Wing https://livablecity.org/our-team/, and Yuliya Flynn https://www.yuliyaflynn.com. Executive produced and hosted by Karen Douglas.

17:00

Taylor gets tips on where to eat and camp in Fort Benton, MT. from Tim.

54:10

Who can you sue when an AV hits you? “Everyone," says our lawyer, Jim Pocrass.

4:52

Taylor, still on his bike tour, reaches Adventure Cycling Headquarters in Missoula, Montana and gets a tour of bike “Mecca” from Customer Experience Coordinator Josh Bowden.

13:04

News

CDOT employee known for bike safety work killed in a painted bike lane https://abc7chicago.com/amp/post/riley-oneil-cdot-chicago-employee-known-bike-safety-work-killed-semi-crash-cycling-halsted-street-bridgeport/19248650/. Seattle teacher killed biking where a planned bike lane had been cancelled https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/06/05/seattle-teacher-killed-bicycle-crash-12th-yesler-protected-bike-lane. Las Vegas Advocates map bike racks https://usa.streetsblog.org/2026/06/01/these-advocates-are-mapping-and-grading-every-bike-rack-in-town.

11:09

Car supremacy: Deconstructing the ideology driving our modal hierarchy, a study by Ashton Rohmer. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00420980261437938

19:15

NYC's 72nd st. 2-way protected bike lane wins the Manhattan Community Board 7 vote, but the backlash at the meeting says a lot https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/06/03/upper-west-side-w-72nd-vote.

35:28

Taylor meets cross country riders Jenny and Vince in Stites, Idaho.

48:55