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Show #700 August 27, 2026

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Guest: Steve Magas – Ohio Bike Lawyer

This week’s “safety” episode is focused in Ohio but has broad implications about the laws around bikes on the road.

My guest is Ohio Bike Lawyer Steve Magas.

Steve and I have spoken many times in the past and as always, this conversation is enlightening.

For example – let’s start out with an acronym  – AFRAP – as far right as practicable…

Steve explains how the legislature wouldn’t expect practicable to mean something that wasn’t safe or wasn’t reasonable. 

Hmmmm – there’s still some ambiguity there for me.

BUT, then Steve tells us how he and the Ohio Bicycle Federation added some language that changed the whole AFRAP rule.

We talk about Ohio as a “home rule” State and discuss the genesis of the 3-foot law and what it was really meant to do.

We also delve into some of the crash statistics and the alarming trend that we are seeing today.

As always, Steve has some great stories that illustrate his work.

For a plethora of information, go to Ohio Bike Lawyer.com – and there is a link to the Your Ticket to the Stupid Laws there too!

Next time on TOC, we’re going to take a little break from our safety series and speak with Amanda McMahon.

Amanda is a breath of fresh air – or more like a whirlwind of fresh air – from her Substack titled “One Gear Short of Normal” to her ongoing FB conversation with Chad – there is no Chad! – and her insistence that women – all women – can ride, she’s going to be doing some great things in 2027, and I think you’ll love our conversation.

Transcript_August 27

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Show #699 August 6, 2026

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Guest: Chuck Marohn – Strong Towns

Yes, this episode quickly follows on the heels of my conversation with Raul Avelar from the IIHS. But, there are so many great safety conversations getting ready to stack up that I wanted to make sure we get them all in this summer.

My guest today is Chuck Marohn from Strong Towns.

Over the years, Chuck and I have explored many topics about cities and “strong towns,” and I felt it was important to include him in our conversation about safety as we continue to explore what is making cyclists – and pedestrians – vulnerable.

Of course, as my husband Brian says – we ARE vulnerable.  Cars are bigger and faster, drivers are distracted, impatient, and angrier, and speed limits are ignored.  So it is no wonder that fewer and fewer riders taking to the roads.

What Chuck has developed – the term he has coined actually – is a concept called “stroads” – that streets and roads are actually two separate things.

Chuck sees streets as the platform for where we live, work, and recreate.  Roads, on the other hand, are the connective pipelines between our cities. 

For more information about Strong Towns, log on to strongtowns.org, strongtowns.org/mission, and strongtowns.org/local.  Each link offers a wealth of information and a roadmap to better living.

We’ll speak with Ohio Bike Lawyer, Steve Magas on our next episode as we continue to explore ideas about safety.  Steve delves into how the law is interpreted, some of the current statistics, and we discuss a few of the issues we are seeing in places like New Jersey where a knee-jerk end-of-term signature from the governor banned all eBikes… probably not a good law to implement!

Transcript_August 6

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Show #698 August 1, 2026

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Guest: Raul Avelar – IIHS

This is the first episode we’ve also turned into a video podcast.  Click here!

This is the second in our series about safety.  And, while it isn’t a long conversation, it’s an important one because it helps to set the context for how safety trends are playing out.

My guest is Raul Avelar, Senior Research Transportation Engineer for the IIHS – Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  Raul’s area of work is a focus is on bike/ped safety.  And that fits right into our series here!

One of the things Raul says not too far into our conversation that piqued my interest is about the difference in behavior between men and women when they are riding and even walking; that men seem to be more aggressive and less likely to “follow the rules” when it comes to traffic safety.

As Rachael Maney said in our conversation from last week, there’s also the difference that seems to be experienced by those who are kitted up like cyclists – flashy jerseys, helmets, and cycling footwear – and recreational cyclists, perhaps in a T-shirt, cargo shorts, and sneakers. Raul’s research seems to confirm those experiences.

Then there’s the issue of whether new features in today’s cars work – warnings such as those that keep you in line and automatic braking.  According to Raul, these features work; so, why would someone NOT activate them in their new car?

What Raul has given us is some details about what may be coming that should help us navigate an ever more crowded, speedy, and dangerous transportation world as technology begins to connect roadways, signals, and cars.  Perhaps our learning how those things work will give us more confidence to navigate the roads more safely.

While the research shows so much that can be done to make our roads safer, what is most disturbing to me is what seems to be the deliberate removal of that information from the public’s view, putting cyclists and pedestrians in harm’s way unnecessarily.

For more information about the work the IIHS does and to contact Raul, log on to IIHS.org.

August 1_Transcript

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Show #697 July 24, 2026

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Guest: Rachael Maney – Bike Law

My guest is Rachael Maney.  Rachael is the managing director of Bike Law, a network of independent bicycle crash attorneys.  I was supposed to speak with her last month, but as is often the case, the Bike Law offices are so busy, she hardly has time to turn around!

Anyway, this conversation begins a series that will include Rachael, the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety,) Chuck Marohn of Strong Towns, and others.

Since I spoke with Rachel on July 13th, there have been several high-profile incidents including a road rage crash in Texas killing US decorated boxer Hannah Rapp, the tragic loss of  Louisa Gag, a long time cycling advocate for the City of Boston who was hit by a truck on her way to work, and a group of cyclists in Colorado who were run down by an impaired driver.

These crashes resulting in injury and death are all the more poignant when the Secretary of Transportation claws back $1.7B from the infrastructure bill that promised the money to hundreds, if not thousands, of projects, claiming that he was going to redirect the funds to roads and bridges, not to and I quote “DEI bike lanes.”

The pushback from all quarters – not just the bicycle world – was loud and long; but I doubt this administration will change its mind about reallocating the funds.

My conversation with Rachael outlines some of bike Law’s well-honed thinking when it comes to enforcement, laws, eBikes, and more. 

If you have any questions or need any advice from Rachael or Peter, send a message to info@bikelaw.com.  Log on to bikelaw.com to find help in your state if you find yourself in a situation where you need legal representation.

Transcript_July 24

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Show #696 – July 16, 2026

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Guest: Zac Wiebe

I’ve had this conversation archived for way too long and in re-listening while editing it today, I thought – how interesting that we are at this strange place with the announcement last week of so much money being rescinded from bike and ped infrastructure, to the amazing 50year project that completed the Poudre River Trail in Larimer Country,  Colorado.  So I cued it up for edit and it truly highlights what might be an exemplary project.

My guest is Zac Wiebe. He is the planning and resource manager of Larimer County in Colorado. 

The Poudre River Trail sounds like the perfect ride for someone who wants the scenery of Colorado coupled with great amenities along the way without climbing the Rockies!

As with most long trails – this one covers about 45 miles –the first mile was laid in 1978 and here we are almost 50 years later as Memorial Day weekend saw the final connection to complete it.

It is clear that the commitment to completing this trail took a lot of cooperation among the county, the communities it crosses, and the state.  And the way the counties were able to look to their citizens for funding to complete the trail is a lesson other states might want to look at for themselves.

What trails like this can do to unite communities and bring economic benefits as well as recreational pleasure to so many is so worth the efforts.

Here are links to a few of the websites Zac told us about including the Larimer and Weld counties as well as Cotrex – the website that is all-things-trails in Colorado.

You can also let your voice be heard as the reauthorization of the transportation bill is coming up – contact your representatives.  You can find an easy-to-navigate link to their offices at bikeleague.org.

Our series about safety begins next week with my conversation with Rachael Maney, the managing director of Bike Law.  In addition to the funding that has been withdrawn from biking and walking projects, there are many issues that Rachael helps to unpack about bikes and cars, crashes and the law, and much more.

Transcript_July 16

 

 

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Show #695 July 1, 2026

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Guest: Joe Lindsey – Escape Collective

While we will be celebrating our 250th Anniversary here in the States, the Grand Departe of the 113th Tour de France will lead off with a team time trial in Barcelona on Saturday.

As always, I turn to our friend and resident all-things-TdF  Joe Lindsey, managing editor of Escape Collective.  He knows the ins and outs of the stages, the courses, the riders, and the teams for all the European race, but we focus this conversation pretty much on the Tour this time around.

My questions go to topics such as which riders might surprise us, how the intense heat could impact the race as we well as the teams, and what this year’s course has in store for us.

Jonas Vingegard is apparently 100% healthy and ready to go – two full years after his horrific crash in 2024, and he’s already shown some stellar results this year.  He and Tadej will be the ones to watch for that head-to-head rivalry; but, perhaps there is someone else on the horizon? And who is Paul Seixas anyway?

We will catch up with Joe for a more in-depth look at the Tour de France Femmes before the start in September.

Keep up with Joe and the team as Escapecollective.com and listen to their daily TdF wrapup at spincycle wherever you get your podcasts.

Transcript_Show 695

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Show #694 June 19, 2026

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Guest: Will Chavez from the Cherokee-Phoenix

This episode brings together a long and sorrowful history and a bicycle tour that commemorates it.

We are all familiar with rides that have meaning such as fund raisers for medical research, rides that create long-lasting memories and friendships such as RAGBRAI, and rides that bring back fond memories such as the upcoming re-creation of the Bikecentennial Ride in July, celebrating the founding of our Nation.

And then, there are rides that reaffirm some truths about who we are and what we stand for as a people while shedding light into how we might deal with the truths of our history and do better in the future.

Today’s conversation falls into the latter category and my guest is Will Chavez, the associate editor of the Cherokee-Phoenix, the official newspaper of the Cherokee Nation. 

The paper itself has a long and interesting history, beginning in what is now called New Echota, once the capital of the Cherokee Nation in Georgia and now a historic site.

In the 1830’s – 1838 to be exact – the removal of 100,000 Native Americans, including the Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole – from their homelands in the Southeastern United States to Indian Territory – now Oklahoma – resulted in thousands of deaths from harsh conditions, starvation, and disease.

The route that was traveled by the tribes back in the 1800’s is now commemorated each year by 12 specially chosen young Cherokee riders as they travel the almost 1000 miles on the Trail of Tears.

Will offers us a look back at history and forward to what these riders take home from the historic journey they are privileged to take.

Will’s new book “Riding the Trail: Cherokees Remember the Removal,” is now available for pre-order and you can follow all of the news from the Cherokee Nation through the Cherokee-Phoenix newspaper.

Transcript_June 19

Cherokee Nation Remember the Removal cyclists begin their day’s journey June 8 from downtown Golconda, Illinois, next to the Ohio River. CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
On June 8 along their three-week journey, Cherokee Nation Remember the Removal cyclists arrive at Camp Ground Cemetery near Anna, Illinois, where Cherokees camped during their forced removal known as the Trail of Tears. CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
On June 8 along their three-week journey, Cherokee Nation Remember the Removal cyclists arrive at Camp Ground Cemetery near Anna, Illinois, where Cherokees camped during their forced removal known as the Trail of Tears. CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
In the final stretch, this year’s Remember the Removal bike ride team makes its way down Water Avenue in Tahlequah on June 19. CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
Surrounded by friends and family, Cherokee Nation citizen Ella Mounce, 22, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, celebrates her return from the annual Remember the Removal bike ride on June 19 in Tahlequah. CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
Remember the Removal teammates Adrian Gaches and Savannah Slayton hug after their return to Tahlequah on June 19 following a three-week-long bicycle trek along the Trail of Tears with other cyclists. The annual Remember the Removal bike ride includes a team of Cherokees from both the Cherokee Nation and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
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Show #693 May 31, 2026

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Guests: Melissa & Chris Bruntlett

Seven years ago, Melissa and Chris Bruntlett gave up their cars, moved to the Netherlands, and have been exploring urban transformations around the world. 

The last time I spoke with Melissa and Chris, back in 2022, they had just published two books, Curbing Traffic and Building the Cycling City.  They didn’t have the opportunity to do the traditional kind of book tour at the time because of the pandemic, but that’s since changed.

In fact, with their kids heading off to college and beyond, and their new book, Women Changing Cities, global stories of urban transformation, just published, they’ve been able to travel and speak about their work in person all over the world.

Their work has led them to so many women who are doing remarkable things in their respective cities, and their stories are both fascinating and inspiring.

Women Changing Cities highlights the stories of nineteen women working in eleven different cities as Melissa and Chris shine the spotlight on what can only be termed a modern transformation of urban thinking.

Our conversation ranges from why women are still not well represented in the planning space of engineering, politics, and architecture, to the astounding fact that only 8% of the 300 largest cities in the world have elected women as mayors.

The explanations of how those things are gradually, but surely, changing are encouraging.

You can find a copy of Women Changing Cities: Global stories of urban transformation, from RIBA.org as well as all your favorite book sellers.  The suggestions in the book, the women who are highlighted, and the beautiful photography that graphically shows some incredible results, will inspire anyone looking for ideas and support to bring to their community for consideration – and hopefully, implementation.

And for more information on what Chris and Melissa are doing next, you can follow them at modacitylife.com.

Transcript_May 31

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Show #692 – May 18, 2026

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Guests: Matt Sturgis, Lance Boucher; Professor Chris Sweet

This is the next episode in our series of great rides around the U.S. for spring and summer 2026. Today, we visit Maine.

Lung diseases affect 35 million people in the U.S. and the American Lung Association is the first stop for advocacy, research, and funding for those people and their families. 

Perhaps you know someone or ARE someone who suffers from a lung disease – whether it be asthma, lung cancer, emphysema, or even allergies associated with the environment. 

The American Lung Association offers many programs as well as advice and will advocate for everyone needing their help with events like the Trek Across Maine as well as a cohort of delegates who speak directly with members of Congress.

Then, there’s the fun of a large group of riders who are not only supporting the fundraising efforts but are enjoying the beauty of the State of Maine with a fully supported 3-day ride. 

The 42nd annual Trek Across Maine – yep – 42 years! – has to be one of if not the longest running event of its kind – a fund raiser as well as what you will hear is almost a family reunion with hundreds of folks, for what promises to be a lovely three-day ride around Maine.. And with a Father’s Day weekend date… it’s a great way to celebrate Dad!

My guests are Matt Sturgis, who has held many positions with the American Lung Association in connection with this ride and other offices around the eastern seaboard, and Lance Boucher, who is the voice of the organization in advocacy and public affairs.

While the Trek Across Maine isn’t the only Lung Association ride, it is their biggest.  If Father’s Day weekend doesn’t work for you, you can find their other events, along with tons of great information at cycleforair.org. 

My second guest today is Professor Chris Sweet.  He’s the Information Literacy and Scholarly Communications Librarian at Illinois Wesleyan University.  His just published book, a History of Bicycling in Illinois: 160 Years of Booms and Busts, goes all the way back to the late 1800’s, tracing the ups and downs of cycling from manufacturing and racing to how bicycles figured into the wars of the 20th century and beyond.

I didn’t think there was so much to learn about the history of bicycles and cycling in Illinois, and I was wrong! 

Professor Chris Sweet,  is also an avid cyclist and a historian.  His research reached back into the late 1800’s to explain the subtitle of his book, 160 years of booms and busts, and brings it right up to the to effects the pandemic had on cycling just a few years ago.

Order your copy from bookshop.org, your local book seller, and of course, your local library!  With this in hand, I think we can learn something about our love for the bicycle and the instability of the bike industry at large.

Transcript_May 18

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Show #691 – May 7, 2026

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Guests: Laura Killingbeck; Carlos Rogers & Robin Morton

I don’t think I’ve met a more fascinating person than adventurer Laura Killingbeck.

For example, how many of us know from a very young age who we are and what we want from life and then follow that desire into adulthood?  Especially when we are talking about a rather solitary and independent life.

Laura Killingbeck is one of those people who DID know, and her story is incredibly compelling.

Laura is a naturalist – a hunter gatherer as she decided very early in life – and she has been on the move, writing and talking about her work, ever since.  

Laura is a force of nature.  She’s an award-winning writer, storyteller, and speaker and I was able to catch up with her while she was getting ready for a new project beginning May 20th.

In conjunction with the Orsa Credit Union, Laura is about to embark on her 2 months-long “Choose the Bear” bike trip around the State of Michigan to raise awareness   and support for survivors of domestic and economic abuse.

It’s just the latest in a long list of amazing adventures that Laura has been pursuing for most of her life.

You can follow Laura at laurakillingbeck.com as well as social media @laurakillingbeck.  The “choose the bear tour” begins on May 20th and runs through July 20th.  For more information, log on to choosethebeartour.org.

Then, in the second half of the show, we take a 180-degree turn when my guests are Carlos Rogers and Robin Morton.  Carlos is one of the partners who owns the Philadelphia Cycling Classic and Robin is the race director.

After a 10-year absence, this iconic and well-loved event is back and just like that, Philadelphia is the proud host of a professional cycling race again.

Mark your calendar then plan your road trip to the city of brotherly love for the Philadelphia Cycling Classic, and it’s going to be a momentous event.

In addition to world-class men’s and women’s pro racing on Philly streets-  with equal prize money for both I might add – there is a festival, a citizen’s time trial, and the joy of being in one of the most interesting and historic cities in the country.

To learn more about the race and keep up with the news on who’s coming to the event, log on to philadelphiacyclingclassic.com. BTW, if you are planning on going, I’d book a hotel sooner rather than later!

Join me next time when I’ll be talking about Trek Across Maine’s long association with the Lung Association, the next episode in our series about interesting rides around the U.S. this summer and fall.

Transcript_May 7