SGV Connect

Welcome to the first #DamienTalks of 2016, a public affairs podcast focused on interviewing the people that create and advocate for sustainable transportation in the San Gabriel Valley. For those of you just joining us, #DamienTalks has been broadcast on Streetsblog California for over a year, but we've received advertising support to do a bi-weekly podcast focused on the San Gabriel Valley right here on Streetsblog L.A.

See an archive of past #DamienTalks from Streetsblog California by clicking here.

This week, we're talking with Glendale Mayor and Metro Board Member Ara Najarian about what are the big stories that will change transportation in the San Gabriel Valley. Najarian points to two stories that will dominate 2016: the opening of Phase I of the Gold Line Foothill Extension and the debate around and campaign for a new transportation sales tax in L.A. County.

Every episode of #DamienTalks - SGV will also feature regular check-ins with Bike SGV, the super group that is pushing the boundaries of bike advocacy and planning throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Andrew Yip. Yip is excited about a lot of programs and changes coming in 2016, especially the 20 mile open streets event "626".

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at [email protected], at twitter@damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the #DamienTalks homepage on Libsyn.

It's the end of the year, so we're doing a special #DamienTalks. As announced on Streetsblog California, today I'm taking your questions...errr, your question...

The questions we received were variations on where transportation is headed, and how are things will change going forward. I see two big ways that things are going to be different: at the policy level things will change because of Vision Zero, and in the advocacy world we'll see a shift as we all figure out how to best address equity issues in our planning and programming.

Given that this podcast is occurring during our pledge drive, I would be remiss if I didn’t post the links to the donation pages for Streetsblog San Francisco , Streetsblog Los Angeles and Streetsblog California.

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at[email protected], at twitter@damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the #DamienTalks homepage on Libsyn.

Today, #DamienTalks with Roger Rudick, a long-time contributor to various Streetsblogs and the incoming editor of Streetsblog San Francisco.

In the interview we cover varied ground including how Rudick's world travels inform his writing at Streetsblog and elsewhere, his views on some of the major stories breaking in the Bay Area, and some get-to-know-you questions including "have you ever ridden Critical Mass?"

If you're just dying to learn more about Roger, read our "Welcome, Roger" post and yesterday's "Hi, I'm Roger" post at Streetsblog San Francisco.

Given that this [delete "is"] podcast is occurring during our pledge drive, I would be remiss if I didn't post the links to the donation pages for Streetsblog San Francisco and Streetsblog California.

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at [email protected], at twitter@damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the #DamienTalks homepage on Libsyn.

Hello, welcome back to #DamienTalks! It’s been awhile.

Today Damien talks with SFCTA executive director Tilly Chang (read Streetsblog coverage of Chang, here) about whether or not ride share companies are good for transit and good for urban transportation. SFCTA has been studying these issues and Chang has a wealth of information at her fingertips and even some advice for cities that are attempting to figure out the best ways to work with and regulate rideshare companies.

Our conversation mirrors an article at City Lab by Laura Bliss entitled, “Is Uber Transit’s Enemy or Its Friend?”

Our answer, it’s too soon to say, but with the right partnerships and planning Uber, Lyft and all their friends can definitely be transit’s friends.

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at [email protected], at twitter @damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the Damien Talks homepage on Libsyn.

Today #DamienTalks with Ryan Price, Campaigns Director for CalBike, about CalBike's recently released legislative report card. 

Look up how your legislator did, here. Don't know who represents you in Sacramento? Click here.

In addition to scoring the candidates, CalBike produced some meme-friendly pictures with every legislator's score. In the interview we cover a couple of topics:

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at [email protected], at twitter @damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the Damien Talks homepage on Libsyn.

Today, #DamienTalks with Sue Minter, a candidate for Governor of Vermont. This kicks off an irregular series where I'll be talking with elected and government officials either just before or just after they make a trip to California.We'll discuss best practices in bicycle and pedestrian planning, and give our interviewees a chance to talk about their impressions of the Golden State. 

Minter is a more natural choice than it might first appear. As the head of Vermont's transportation agency, she's had to handle the aftermath of flooded roads and highways after a tropical storm in 2011.

She also recently visited Los Angeles as a member of President Obama's Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience chaired by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. Minter understands the connection between these issues and transportation planning and urban design.

As a candidate for Governor of Vermont, she's hosting a couple of events in Los Angeles on November 16 and Pasadena on November 17.

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at [email protected], at twitter @damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA. Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the Damien Talks homepage on Libsyn.

Today, we're broadcasting part 2 of the #DamienTalks discussing the best, and worst, news out of Sacramento. Yesterday, I talked to a trio of advocates around the state. Today, I'm talking with Melanie Curry, the editor of Streetsblog California.

Curry talks about some of the bills we didn't touch on yesterday, including many of the ones she has covered at Streetsblog California over the past year. As always, the conversation with Melanie is a little more relaxed than our regular interviews as Melanie and I have been having these conversations without a microphone for months.

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at [email protected], at twitter @damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the Damien Talks homepage on Libsyn.

Welcome to the first two-part #DamienTalks. Today, I talk with Meea Kang with the Council of Infill Developers, Gloria Ohland of Move L.A. and Colin Parent of Circulate San Diego. The topic of the day is the recently concluded legislative session in Sacramento.

Governor Jerry Brown signed a lot of legislation, much of it moved the ball forward on issues such as bicycle safety, active transportation funding, and clean air. But the most popular legislation was AB 744, legislation that impacts parking requirements for Transit Oriented Development.

Ohland focused on the legislative package of Senator Senator Kevin de León, who authored and backed the popular clean air legislation SB 350 and legislation that will allow Los Angeles County MTA to put a new transportation sales tax on the ballot.

A separate interview with Streetsblog Calfiornia's Melanie Curry will air tomorrow.

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at [email protected], at twitter @damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the Damien Talks homepage on Libsyn.

Today #DamienTalks with Jim Beal and Elly Blue with Microcosm Publishing. The duo is producing the eight-part Groundswell Movies focused on community-based bicycle advocacy (as opposed to activist-based bike advocacy) and how it's worked in cities throughout the country.

Streetsblog has helped roll out the series, although we aren't officially part of the project. Streetsblog USA profiled Groundswell last month. Streetsblog L.A. debuted Building Stories: City Planning with James Rojas earlier today.

If you haven't watched any of the movies yet, you're in for a treat. I've found them fascinating. A League of Their Own, the first film in the series, is really must-see for anyone interested in the history of bicycle advocacy.

And, for anyone listening just because they know me, you will enjoy listening to me totally flub a question asked of me about 5 minutes into the podcast.

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at [email protected], at twitter @damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the Damien Talks homepage on Libsyn.

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the #DamienTalks homepage on Libsyn.