SAVE Radio Episode 5 - Interview with Melinda Barnes

This week I took the opportunity to interview local cycling expert and bike shop owner Melinda Barnes. Among the most important things we talked about were cycling safety, and how to ease yourself into cycling and the community if you're new to the scene. There are obvious reminders, such as wearing the appropriate safety gear (helmet, reflective clothes and lights), but there are also operational considerations that should be made at all times, such as being aware of your surroundings and making yourself as visible as possible. That includes making sure your intentions as a driver (you are considered a vehicle while on the road) are obvious and that you obey traffic laws and norms.
If you are interested in beginning cycling, either for recreation or commuting, be sure to pace yourself and adjust to what your body can handle. A good idea would be to bike once or twice a week to and from work. If it is quite a distance, see if you can bike to a place and get a ride from there, or find alternate means of transportation to accommodate your needs. Avoid technically demanding rides such as steep slopes and winding roads until you have the confidence to handle yourself safely. If you'd like more information, check out Big Sky Cycling and Fitness at 801 N. Last Chance Gulch or their website bigskybikes.com.


This week's tunes:
Miike Snow - Animal
Cults - Go Outside
Oh Land - Sun of a Gun
Reptar - Stuck in my Id
Matt and Kim - Lessons Learned
FM Belfast - Par Avion
Crystal Fighters - At Home
The Naked and Famous - Young Blood
Friendly Fires - Skeleton Boy
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - Vocal Chords
Theophilus London - I Stand Alone
Little Boots - New in Town

SAVE Radio Episode 4 - Trains and You

Trains seem to be an almost forgotten mode of transportation in our country. How many people can say that they've taken the train from East to West, or vice versa? It seems that modern day trains are relegated to city-wide light rails and freight lines. That may change, however given the inefficient and unsustainable nature of personal transit. Public transit is set to become a much larger portion of transportation in the coming years, in effect returning to the way that America used to popularly commute. Take a look at city photos from a century ago. You'll see trollies, trains, and carriages mingled in with those Ford Model Ts. We won't be going back to carriages (I don't think), but trains and busses will play an increasingly important factor in our lives. This broadcast focused on the future of trains in America, and how we can again rely on timely, efficient public transit. I don't have the space here to elucidate the many considerations and costs of such an endeavor, but they can all be found here: http://www.fra.dot.gov/rpd/passenger/31.shtml

SAVE Radio Episode 3 - Interview with Steve Coen

For those of you out there that like to mingle community, the rugged outdoors, and sports, this was the show for you! I had the good fortune of interviewing the owner of the Garage bike shop and president of the Gravity Guild, Steve Coen. We talked about how he has made a career of his passion for the sport of cycling (especially downhill, hence 'gravity') and how this led him from working at the Great Divide Cyclery to opening the Garage. It's a mix of hang-out, workshop, and community center that engages Helenans of all ages to learn about cycling and to meet their fellow community members. One of the most interesting facets of the shop is the DIY workbench that can be rented on a per-hour basis, along with the cycle maintenance and repair workshops that provide you with all the knowledge you need to keep on cycling. Check them out at 334 Jackson Street, or online at gravityguildgarage.com!
We also touched on what it means to be a part of the Gravity Guild, Helena's downhill cycling team. Along with representing the city on the regional competitive scene, the guild also brings tourists and competition to our own South Hills. The team creates and grooms trails, liaises for cooperation and good-will between cyclists and hikers, and also creates and coordinates competitions right here in Helena! Check out the blog and events tabs on their site for more information. These are meant to be inclusive of any interested community members, and many of their events can be done with almost any kind of bike. The competitive factor is up to you, of course.

The playlist for the day will be posted shortly, so stay tuned!

Transportation Policies and Your Health

This article out of San Diego makes a case for urban cycling development and makes use of some sad-but-true statistics to back up the need in such a heavily developed area:

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/feb/17/transportation-laws-can-affect-health/