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The Mechanics of Transportation

The Mechanics of Transportation

By: Ian Stewart
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About this listen

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

© 2026 The Mechanics of Transportation
Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Fate of Cycling Legislation in VA
    Mar 16 2026

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    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

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • RVA's New Bike Lane Sweeper
    Mar 13 2026

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    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

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Spring Sweeper
    Mar 11 2026

    Send a text

    On this episode of RVA Bike Scene, Sean and I are back to talk pro racing, upcoming RVA races, the perils or plusses of Daylight Saving and a new behind the bike bike sweeper (with a preview to another podcast strictly about that new sweeper along with the fate of MF Broom).

    You can watch this podcast on YouTube at IanStewartCycles.

    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 and the RVA Bike Scene 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

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
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