(Unedited) Podcast Transcript 574: Second Hand E-Bikes
The Talking Headways podcast featured Upway’s Ysabel Hoogeveen and mobility consultant Calvin Thigpen discussing Upway’s refurbished e‑bike platform. Upway buys, refurbishes and certifies pre‑owned e‑bikes, selling them for an average $1,900—roughly 45% less than new models. State rebate programs can further reduce costs by up to $1,500, making e‑bikes a viable alternative to car ownership. The hosts highlighted that if the U.S. market matched Germany’s adoption, annual e‑bike sales could reach $33 billion, underscoring the growth potential of affordable, sustainable micro‑mobility.
(Unedited) Podcast Transcript 573: Civil Rights Enforcement in Transportation Projects
The Talking Headways podcast featured Laurel Paget‑Seekins of Public Advocates discussing how civil‑rights enforcement in transportation projects is under threat, especially as the U.S. Department of Transportation moves to rescind disparate‑impact regulations. She highlighted the chronic staffing and capacity crises...
(Unedited) Podcast Transcript 570: Buildings Are Here to Help People
Jeremy Wells, former professor and preservation leader, discusses his new book, Managing the Magic of Old Places, which argues for people‑centered historic preservation. He highlights a stark disconnect between public emotional attachment to historic sites and the profession’s focus on...
The Value of Time
The article highlights time as an overlooked planning metric, linking time poverty to health and stress. It cites Chris and Melissa Bruntlett’s research on how excessive responsibilities erode well‑being. Barcelona’s pioneering Time Policy Agreement and dedicated officer illustrate how cities...
Mondays 187: Missing Service We Paid For
The Overhead Wire’s Monday 187 episode highlighted a range of urban issues, from Zurich’s ambitious green‑roof program that turns rooftops into a climate shield, to Denver’s RTD contractor failing to deliver contracted rail frequency, leaving taxpayers footing the bill. It...
(Unedited) Podcast Transcript 569: The Annual Prediction Show with Yonah Freemark
In the annual prediction show, Jeff Wood and Yonah Freemark reviewed last year’s forecasts on congestion pricing, high‑speed rail, and transportation funding, noting mixed outcomes. They predicted a new U.S. mayor will announce a congestion‑pricing plan, a new tax source...
Keeping the Zombies at Bay
Anna Zivarts argues that urban highways inflate vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and make transit slower, urging the new mayor to embed VMT reduction in project planning. She stresses that alternative modes must offer equal or better convenience, speed, and safety...
Mondays 186: Datamatize Pedestrian Data
The Overhead Wire’s Monday episode spotlights a new MIT‑backed model that maps foot traffic across New York City, highlighting how data‑driven insights are reshaping pedestrian planning. It also cites a Scientific American study showing that relocating to walkable cities can...
Movement on Earth
The article highlights massive human mobility events, noting 9.95 billion trips across China during the Lunar New Year and 650 million pilgrims converging on India’s 2025 Kumbh Mela. It describes how temporary megacities are erected for such gatherings and contrasts them with centuries‑old...