The Mechanics of Transportation

Ian Stewart
  • 5.0 (6)
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How can I get drivers to slow down in my neighborhood? What’s Vision Zero all about? Why does it take so long to get a sidewalk/bike lane or a reduced speed limit approved? Welcome to the Mechanics of Transportation – a podcast that will answer these questions as well as introduce you to people who you may want to share a bike ride, bus ride or walk with. Plus, there's a new sub-podcast called RVA Bike Scene in which Sean Yeager and I talk about local events and happenings in the Richmond Va bike scene.  Support my efforts by buying me a cuppa: https://buymeacoffee.com/ian_stewart

  1. Bike Month is Here!

    APR 23

    Bike Month is Here!

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of the RVA Bike Scene, I speak with Natalie Rainer, Engagement Coordinator at BikeWalkRVA. We talk about the Fall Line Trail, about the Mayo Bridge and of course about BIKE MONTH, which starts on Saturday 4/25. Here's a link to their calendar. If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and the RVA Bike Scene and want to support our efforts then please consider subscribing to it and by sharing this podcast on all your socials; rating it and leaving a comment in the show notes.  You can also send me a tip via Venmo–at Ian-Stewart-82. Or buy me a coffee. And if you’re a sponsor who’d like to sponsor this show, then let us know. Thanks. Be sure to check out my other podcast, called History Reinvented, which covers the history and future of places in the city, including the Mayo Bridge and Island and the area known as Pine Camp in Richmond ,VA.  And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud. For 17 years, I had a world music show on a local public radio station. Look for a new podcast coming soon which will feature all my archival interviews with musicians, including Angelique Kidjo, Jack Johnson and Los Lobos. Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad. The Mechanics of Transportation and the RVA Bike Scene  is a Big Soap Production. Music by: groove-sauce-stan-town-main-version-40277-01-56 and was downloaded with permission at Upbeat Music Support the show Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube @IanStewartCycles

    30 min
  2. RVA's Newest Street Cleaner

    APR 21

    RVA's Newest Street Cleaner

    Send us Fan Mail Coming up on this episode of the RVA Bike Scene, I take you to the streets! Well, to an actual press conference that happened the week of 4/18/26 that featured Richmond city officials, including Mayor Danny Avula, Department of Transportation Andy Boenau and Vassar Sumpter of DPW. They were all there to unleash the city's newest bike lane sweeper, tentatively titled Baby Sweeper.  Together Baby Sweeper and MF Broom will work in tandem to clean the city's vast network of bike lanes. You can watch the presser on my YouTube Channel at IanStewartCyles too.  Be sure to like and subscribe and share the show–and tip your server if you can, on Venmo I’m at Ian-Stewart-82. Or buy me a coffee. And if you’re a sponsor who’d like to sponsor this show, then let us know. Thanks. Also check out my other podcast, called History Reinvented, which covers the history and future of places in the city, including the Mayo Bridge and Island and the area known as Pine Camp in Richmond ,VA.  And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud. For 17 years, I had a world music show on a local public radio station. Look for a new podcast coming soon which will feature all my archival interviews with musicians, including Angelique Kidjo, Jack Johnson and Los Lobos. Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad. The Mechanics of Transportation and RVA Bike Scene is a Big Soap Production. Music by: bombay-bass-ashish-zachariah-main-version-40688-02-01 and was downloaded with permission at Upbeat Music Support the show Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube @IanStewartCycles

    14 min
  3. Slapdash Podcast

    APR 17

    Slapdash Podcast

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of RVA Bike Scene, Sean and I dive into what's going on in Richmond, Virginia's bike events for the week of 4/18/26. From Sean's FREE Short Track mountain bike clinic at Dogwood Dell (Sat 4/17/26) to Bike Month, to a new mini-baby bike lane sweeper, we tried to knock out a few of the events happening.  As always, let us know about your events and happenings.  Content Warning: My audio is horrible--as I recorded my end in my car after attending the new baby bike lane sweeper press event (full episode coming). Here are some links: Bike Reg Events Bryan Park Training Series BMX Racing in Richmond If you like the Mechanics of Transportation / RVA Bike Scene and podcast and want to support our efforts then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. You can also help support us by sharing this podcast on all your socials and rating it and leaving a comment in the show notes.  If you do subscribe we’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. You can also send me a tip via Venmo–at Ian-Stewart-82. Or buy me a coffee. And if you’re a sponsor who’d like to sponsor this show, then let us know. Thanks. Be sure to check out my other podcast, called History Reinvented, which covers the history and future of places in the city, including the Mayo Bridge and Island and the area known as Pine Camp in Richmond ,VA.  And watch videos on my YouTube Channel IanStewartCycles. Many of these podcasts are also broadcast there. And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud. For 17 years, I had a world music show on a local public radio station. Look for a new podcast coming soon which will feature all my archival interviews with musicians, including Angelique Kidjo, Jack Johnson and Los Lobos. Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad. The Mechanics of Transportation is a Big Soap Production. Music by: bombay-bass-ashish-zachariah-main-version-40688-02-01 and was downloaded with permission at Upbeat Music Support the show Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube @IanStewartCycles

    20 min
  4. New Podcast coming from Big Soap Productions!

    SEASON 3, EPISODE 12 TRAILER

    New Podcast coming from Big Soap Productions!

    Send us Fan Mail I'm about to launch a new (and yet another) podcast---the World Music Show - Interviews from the Archives. For almost two decades I hosted a World Music Show on a public radio station, where during that time, I interviewed dozens of musicians, authors and filmmakers.  These include Angelique Kidjo, Jack Johnson, Los Lobos, Vieux Farka Toure and More. You can also listen to my music show on Mixcloud.  So keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, make sure you're listening to the Mechanics of Transportation/ RVA Bike Scene and watching my dorky videos on YouTube at IanStewartCycles.  If you want to support my efforts then feel free to Venmo me at: Ian-Stewart-82 or Buy Me a Coffee. Support the show Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube @IanStewartCycles

    6 min
  5. Filmmaker Ben Wolf

    APR 10

    Filmmaker Ben Wolf

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Mechanics of Transportation, I’m speaking with filmmaker Ben Wolf, whose film “Changing Lanes” tells the tale of one neighborhood’s fight to make their street safer after the death of a beloved teacher who was killed by a driver.  But the film tells a bigger story than that–it dives into the history of this once two lane idyllic street in Greenpoint New York that in the 1950s got widened to make way for more cars, and more specifically, to make it easier for drivers to get in and out of the city.   And it tells the background of how local neighbors finally said enough is enough and how a local business owner was able to bend the ear of a few mayors. LINKS: Teaser for Changing Lanes documentary More information about Changing Lanes I’m working on setting up a screening of Ben’s film in Richmond, Virginia but I can use help in making this happen, either with financial help or volunteers or more–I’ve never organized an event like this, so stay tuned for updates.  In the meantime, be sure to share this podcast on all your social media apps and be sure to give it a thumbs up wherever you happen to listen to it. And, if you want to watch this discussion and others like it, check out IanStewartCycles on YouTube, which the link is also in the show notes.  If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and this podcast and want to support our efforts then please consider subscribing to it. You can also help support us by sharing this podcast on all your socials and rating it and leaving a comment in the show notes.  You can also send me a tip via Venmo–at Ian-Stewart-82. Or buy me a coffee. And if you’re a sponsor who’d like to sponsor this show, then let us know. Thanks. Be sure to check out my other podcast, called History Reinvented, which covers the history and future of places in the city, including the Mayo Bridge and Island and the area known as Pine Camp in Richmond ,VA.  And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud. For 17 years, I had a world music show on a local public radio station. Look for a new podcast coming soon which will feature all my archival interviews with musicians, including Angelique Kidjo, Jack Johnson and Los Lobos. Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad. Support the show Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube @IanStewartCycles

    31 min
  6. So Much Stuff!

    MAR 25

    So Much Stuff!

    Send us Fan Mail Coming up on this episode of the RVA Bike Scene, Sean and I break down all the events happening in the region--from the local bike races and groups rides to charity rides. Plus, we talk about VCU Pedestrian Referees, Surveys you need to take and Bolivian Zebras.  Be sure to like and subscribe and share the show. All the links we talk about: AXIOS: Richmond's safety paradox PlanRVA Engage Surveys Virginia Capital Trail events MS Charity Ride Richmond Area Bicycling Association Kids Ride Kidical Mass + Cargo Bike (look for RVA.Cargo.bike on Instagram) Bike Reg Events Bryan Park Training Series BMX Racing in Richmond Traffic Zebras in Bolivia  If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and this podcast and want to support our efforts then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. You can also help support us by sharing this podcast on all your socials and rating it and leaving a comment in the show notes.  If you do subscribe we’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. You can also send me a tip via Venmo–at Ian-Stewart-82. Or buy me a coffee. And if you’re a sponsor who’d like to sponsor this show, then let us know. Thanks. Be sure to check out my other podcast, called History Reinvented, which covers the history and future of places in the city, including the Mayo Bridge and Island and the area known as Pine Camp in Richmond ,VA.  And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud. For 17 years, I had a world music show on a local public radio station. Look for a new podcast coming soon which will feature all my archival interviews with musicians, including Angelique Kidjo, Jack Johnson and Los Lobos. Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad. The Mechanics of Transportation is a Big Soap Production. Support the show Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube @IanStewartCycles

    30 min
  7. The Fate of Cycling Legislation in VA

    MAR 16

    The Fate of Cycling Legislation in VA

    Send us Fan Mail Coming up on this episode of the Mechanics of Transportation, it’s all about some Virginia bike bills that fared well in the current session of the 2026 General Assembly session – and one bill that, after five years of trying to get passed, failed in one particular committee.  My guest is John Hamilton, current President of the Virginia Bicycling Federation, which is part of the national group League of American Bicyclists. The VBF advocates to get bills passed to make cycling safe, among other things, like work to help create safe, multi-use trails like Virginia’s Capital Trail. John and I talk about the Bicyclist Safety Bill (HB661), which you can read about on VBF’s webpage.  But first, please be sure to share this podcast on all your social media apps and be sure to give it a thumbs up wherever you happen to listen to it. And, if you want to watch this discussion and others like it, check out IanStewartCycles on YouTube. If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and this podcast and want to support our efforts then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link. You can also help support us by sharing this podcast on all your socials and rating it and leaving a comment in the show notes.  You can also send me a tip via Venmo–at Ian-Stewart-82. Or buy me a coffee. And if you’re a sponsor who’d like to sponsor this show, then let us know. Thanks. Be sure to check out my other podcast, called History Reinvented, which covers the history and future of places in the city, including the Mayo Bridge and Island and the area known as Pine Camp in Richmond ,VA.  And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud. For 17 years, I had a world music show on a local public radio station. Look for a new podcast coming soon which will feature all my archival interviews with musicians, including Angelique Kidjo, Jack Johnson and Los Lobos. Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad. The Mechanics of Transportation is a Big Soap Production. Music by: bombay-bass-ashish-zachariah-main-version-40688-02-01 and was downloaded with permission at Upbeat Music Support the show Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube @IanStewartCycles

    32 min
  8. RVA's New Bike Lane Sweeper

    MAR 13

    RVA's New Bike Lane Sweeper

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of RVA Bike Scene, I’m sharing my recent interviews with Richmond Virginia bike commuters and advocates John Murden (@RVA.Cargo.Bike on Instagram) and Dan Nelson (@dangelson on Instagram). Both John and Dan are the two people behind getting RVA's newest Bike Sweeper crowd funded.  The Sweeper mounts behind a regular bike (Cargo or E-bike is better) and uses a battery powered sort of vacauum to sweep up debris or has brushes that push crap away. They started the campaign because the city's sweeper, MF Broom, has had issues and hasn't been seen for quite a while--it's now back in action, btw. If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and this podcast and want to support our efforts then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. You can also help support us by sharing this podcast on all your socials and rating it and leaving a comment in the show notes.  If you do subscribe we’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. You can also send me a tip via Venmo–at Ian-Stewart-82. Or buy me a coffee. And if you’re a sponsor who’d like to sponsor this show, then let us know. Thanks. Be sure to check out my other podcast, called History Reinvented, which covers the history and future of places in the city, including the Mayo Bridge and Island and the area known as Pine Camp in Richmond ,VA.  And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud. For 17 years, I had a world music show on a local public radio station. Look for a new podcast coming soon which will feature all my archival interviews with musicians, including Angelique Kidjo, Jack Johnson and Los Lobos. Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad. Be sure to like and subscribe and share the show. The Mechanics of Transportation is a Big Soap Production. *Photo from BikeLaneSweeper.com  Support the show Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube @IanStewartCycles

    31 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

How can I get drivers to slow down in my neighborhood? What’s Vision Zero all about? Why does it take so long to get a sidewalk/bike lane or a reduced speed limit approved? Welcome to the Mechanics of Transportation – a podcast that will answer these questions as well as introduce you to people who you may want to share a bike ride, bus ride or walk with. Plus, there's a new sub-podcast called RVA Bike Scene in which Sean Yeager and I talk about local events and happenings in the Richmond Va bike scene.  Support my efforts by buying me a cuppa: https://buymeacoffee.com/ian_stewart

Information

  • Creator
    Ian Stewart
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Mechanics of Transportation
  • Show Website
    The Mechanics of Transportation

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