Show #660 – December 7, 2024

Guests: Tom & Deb Gardner; Jenn Dice

Yes, it’s been a minute – well, maybe a bit longer – since the last episode, but I’m back and today’s show is the first in our year-end series highlighting gift-giving opportunities.

That’s not all though.  My first guests are husband and wife Deb and Tom Gardner.  They live in Indianapolis and have such a great story to tell.

Both are now retired and the accomplishments they have under their belts are mind blowing.  Before they became heavily involved with long-distance cycling, they decided to run a marathon in every state.  Done.  Then it was on to some pretty spectacular bicycling.

I’ve always wondered what drives some people to aim for and achieve such amazing objectives such as running a marathon in every state or riding across country.  In the case of Tom and Deb Gardner, I think it’s just the way some people are wired – but what is so cool about this couple is that they seem to be wired exactly the same! 

My thanks to Tom & Deb Gardner for allowing ME to be the first to broadcast their newest adventure! Their blog site, “Keep Calm and Pedal On,” is full of great information as well as some preliminary details of their upcoming New Zealand trip.

After a break, we catch up with the president and CEO of People for Bikes, Jenn Dice.  People tell me I’m “so enthusiastic!”  But, next to Jenn, I feel pretty laid back!

And, her enthusiasm for the work she does is contagious!   Running PFB, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary – thank you very much –  is a big deal and from the city ratings program to eBike battery recycling, Jenn can recite chapter and verse on all the many spokes in the PFB hub.

Jenn is a bicycling powerhouse..  She was named “one of the 50 most influential people in American cycling” in 2023 by Escape Collective .

She is a tireless advocate for cycling at the grass roots level, moving a vast array of cycling projects from start to successful finish.

 You can find all of the projects Jenn and I talked about plus a lot more at peopleforbikes.org.  Join the organization, learn about the many great programs and opportunities available, and find out how your city rates as a great place to ride – or learn how to effect change in your city using PFB’s advice. And, you definitely want to recycle your eBike batteries!

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Next time, we’ll be speaking with World Bicycle Relief’s Leah Misbach Day.  It’s time we caught up with her and learn about the organization’s most recent programs and progress.

We’ll also be speaking with BikeFit expert Paul Swift.  I think we’ll have a lot to talk about!

December 7_Transcript

 

Show #515 – August 15, 2020

Guests: Gabe Klein; Lucas Snaije

First, I’d like to congratulate my friend Jenn Dice. She recently took over the helm of People for Bikes as Tim Blumenthal retired after 16 years! Jenn, who was the COO is now President and CEO and hit the ground running and draws on her many years not only at PFB but as the fearless leader of IMBA before that. Nice to see another woman at the helm of a big bicycle organization!

Our show this week comes to you from Washington, DC and Amsterdam, Holland.

Gabe Klein, is a partner at Cityfi, an organization that facilitates and helps create positive, sustainable change for people and the economy – fast He is also the former commissioner of the Chicago and Washington DC departments of transportation.

Cognizant of so much of what is happening – from the effects of shutting down in the pandemic to what he thought the future would be in 2030 – much of what has suddenly transpired because of the pandemic – Gabe has thoughtful, interesting, and actionable ideas for all of us.

After our conversation with Gabe, we head to Amsterdam to speak with Lucas Snaije. Lucas is the communications and community manager for BYCS an Amsterdam-based social enterprise driven by the belief that bicycles transform cities and cities transform the world.

Last week, when we spoke with Matt Pinder up in Toronto, he mentioned the Bicycle Mayor program from BYCS and me, wanting to know more, contacted them.

Lucas and I dive into that program along with some of the other work the organization does.

Show #501 – April 25, 2020

Guests: Jenn Dice; Dr. Michael Lewis

I hope you are safe and well and, as we begin to re-enter the world more fully, will continue to be mindful of taking care of yourself and those around us.

First I’d like to say thank you – thank you all for your kind words about the 500th episode of the show last week. Looking back, it just doesn’t seem possible that I’ve been hosting this podcast for almost 10 years! And, it’s still mostly a lot of fun – of course, nothing is perfect and especially all the time!

As the weather continues to improve here on the east coast and, even though we may find many of the plans we had were disrupted, postponed, or cancelled entirely, I thought an upbeat conversation about getting back out there was in order.

I remember many years ago when a fledgling organization People For Bikes asked that people sign a pledge that supported getting more people on bikes with the hopes of getting 1,000,000 signatures. At the time, I wasn’t at all certain about that lofty goal – but, I put the paper petitions on the counter in the shop and watched people sign.

Fast forward to today? 1.3 million people have signed on to support the notion and People For Bikes is a force to be reckoned with as their programs – from community grants and statistical gathering to their political work and industry-wide partnerships – show.

Today, Jenn Dice, the COO of PFB, joins me from Colorado where she is still staying at home and working, to talk about their newest resource for all of us – Ride Spot. It’s an app. And, it is an encouraging sign that bicycles are going to play a bigger role going forward.

Dr. Michael Lewis is back to talk about his work with the brain. 

Originally working in epidemiology, Dr. Lewis was tapped by the Army to work with his idea that Omega-3 might help to balance the inflammatory problems with the brain – especially when injured by a TBI. His work resulted in his book, When Brains Collide. And, I wanted him to explain his work and how it might apply to anyone who hits his or her head – even when wearing a helmet.

Show #141 – May 4, 2013

GUESTS: JENN DICE, LARRY PIZZI

 

My itchy eyes and constant sneezing tell me that spring has finally arrived in NE Ohio. But here’s the crazy thing: I only have symptoms indoors at home or work. I was totally fine on a 6-hour ride today. I think nature is trying to send me a message.

Besides my spring allergy update, you might want to know who’s on The Outspoken Cyclist this week. Well I’ll tell you…

First up, we have Jenn Dice , Vice President of Government Relations at Bikes Belong. Jenn directs Bikes Belong’s Bohm Strategy Center and leads Bikes Belong’s lobbying team and government relations program. She’s also a bonafide adventurer, having completed the Leadville Trail 100 on several occasions, and climbed up and biked down Mt. Kilimanjaro!

The second half of today’s show is dedicated to electric-assist, or E-Bikes. In the automotive world, we have the Toyota Prius as the best known example of the hybrid car, and now the “hybrid bike” is beginning to get attention in the United States. Larry Pizzi of Currie Technologies is on hand to give us a thorough and insightful explanation of what E-Bikes are, and why they may fill a gap between fully-motorized and fully-human-powered transportation. A device that provides a constant tailwind? Yes, please!