Jacob Van Sickle Archives - Outspoken Cyclist Podcast

April 9, 2026April 9, 2026

Show #688 – April 9, 2026

Subscribe: RSS

Guest: Larry Pizzi – eBikes Part II

Before we get to our guest, I want to give a HUGE shoutout to our very own Bike Cleveland Executive Director, Jacob VanSickle. Jacob was named Professional Advocate of the Year by the League of American Bicyclists at the National Bike Summit a couple of weeks ago.

Jacob has taken what was the fledgling Bike Cleveland organization and put it on the national stage in many ways. Our cycling experiences here in NE Ohio have been immensely enhanced by his leadership. Congratulations Jacob!!!

In this, the second in our series on eBikes, I speak with Larry Pizzi,. Larry is the president of Pedego, a long-time senior executive in the e‑bike industry, and an active participant in national policy and advocacy efforts, collaborating with brands, dealers, and organizations like PeopleForBikes.

While Larry’s views don’t particularly contradict those of Hans Rey, who was my guest in the first of this series, they do bring up important aspects of the conversation that Hans and I didn’t cover.

Larry and I have known each other for a long time, and he too offers his

opinions about eBikes and what we – specifically the industry – need to be thinking and doing so that access to eBikes remains viable for everyone – not just riding on trails.

Larry has laid out his “call to action” plan for us around three points: safety, access, and innovation.

Here is the link to Larry’s letter in Bicycle Retailer and the Mineta study.

Coming up in our third and final eBike conversation, People for Bikes’ Matt Moore and Ash Lovell will lay out the strategies that the organization is exploring and implementing for taking on many of these issues around eBikes – legislation, enforcement, definitions, and more.

In a final note of passing, I want to offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and express a profound sadness everyone in our bicycle world is feeling at the passing of Tim Blumenthal. Tim was a pioneering voice in our bicycle world for his journalism, broadcasting, and advocacy. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed. Here is the link to the obituary.

Transcript_April 9

April 18, 2023April 18, 2023

Show #628 – April 18, 2023

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Guests: Wayne Stetina; Jacob Van Sickle

As promised the last time we spoke with him, Wayne Stetina, SRAM’s senior field guide, is back to school us on the new SRAM Eagle Transmission system. In fact, you might want to take some notes.

From learning about cassette mapping to the simple installation of the chain, Wayne gives us the details in a clear and precise manner.

The result though is in the riding and according to Wayne, the harder you pedal this new system, the easier it shifts.

I really appreciate Wayne’s thoroughness in explaining the new system. For more information about SRAM’s new Eagle Transmission you can log on to SRAM.com OR… better still, go to your LBS and ask to try one!

In the second half of the show, we welcome back Bike Cleveland’s executive director, Jacob Van Sickle.

Fresh from the National Bike Summit, Jacob fills us in on this year’s legislative asks including the tax credit for eBikes, and catches us up on what has and is about to happen in NE Ohio to improve biking and walking.

When I think back – decades really – to when I first heard about the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath project, it barely registered because it seemed so far away. Yet, here we are! The Towpath project is finished – all the way into downtown Cleveland.

This podcast is dropping just before the April 22^nd Celebrate Trails Day community bike ride with Cleveland’s Mayor Justin Bibb and County Executive, Chris Ronayne. You can join them on Saturday at Merwyn’s in the Flats for a fun afternoon – and you can let them know what YOU want to see for better and safer biking and walking in NE Ohio.

March 7, 2020March 6, 2020

show #494B – March 7, 2020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

First up is the advocacy organization in Greenville, SC – Bike Walk Greenville. While it may not be the oldest advocacy group in the U.S. it must certainly be one of the most productive having several BIG projects accomplished in what must be record time.

And, this past week, after browsing an enormous 400+ page document to be presented at the Greenville City Council meeting, Bike Walk Greenville’s executive director, Frank Mansbach found 2 pages that detailed adding sharrows to 13 streets.

THAT was on a Saturday and with some quick phone calls to his executive board, Frank had gotten his advocates lined up and signed up to speak at the council meeting the following Monday. And, damn if they didn’t make their
case!

Then, it’s off to Northern Kentucky for a chat with Joe Braun, ride director for a new event, The Licking Valley Century, which is part of the Kentucky Cycling Challenge this spring and summer. Scheduled for June 27th, the inaugural ride sounds like a real winner.

Finally, not leaving my own backyard without some early spring acknowledgment, I reached out to Jacob Van Sickle, the executive director of Bike Cleveland to get a quick update on how we’re doing – and, I’m pleased to say we’re doing really well.