This week we talk with Franklin Jones, founder and visionary for Portland-based B-Line Sustainable Urban Delivery, the company that delivers cargo to businesses by electrically assisted tricycle. We discuss the difference between a courier service and established route delivery, their delivery radius, Dave’s Killer Bread, working for David Evans & Associates, B-Line’s beginnings and the Boston-based company (MetroPed) that helped inspire it, contracting with the city’s office suppliers, the re-opening of the Morrison Bridge, Cycles Maximus Trikes and the Stites Design Truck Trike, bridge problems, B Corporations as a new business movement, working with nonprofits like Sisters of the Road, etc.
Brock talks about getting his saddle stolen and his new security configuration, And Brandon briefly describes his insomnia while enjoying a candy cane.
Mailbag:
Gus gave us the whole quote: ""Lies, damned lies and statistics" -Mark Twain
Filmed By Bike says: "Thanks for talking about Filmed by Bike Lounge at Bike Craft! Hope to see you there. Come hang out in The Lounge with us. BTW - you should have Amos on more often. Your threesome was hilarious."
Carl sends a care package of links: picture of a bike for 10, and some great bike stickers at http://peacesupplies.org/; and in response to Brandon’s turkey stuffing photo: "I am not even going to look at a grown man "stuffing" a turkey. Aren't there laws in Oregon about that kind of behavior? Isn't he married now? I am saying that now but perverted curiosity may get the best of me...."
JohnnyK comments: “You guys rock! I think I am going to post something for every show now. Something totally off subject and useless. It's not like I am going to offend anyone since I am the only one that is posting on the website. BTW is your mailbag a pannier, messenger, or backpack?” and also gives some posterior boil advice. Then he donates enough for two growlers, so I guess we have to read his comments 
The Belle Starrs send us their sexy, sexy new calendar as a Christmas gift along with a sweet note. If you're interested, you can get one here.
Headlines:
Portland Transport: TriMet considers Bus Rapid Transit options
REI via listener Blayne: a great article about Merino Wool and how to choose yours
TriMet Diaries: what to do when a fare inspector boards your MAX train
BikePortland: Pedal Powered Talk Show begins production in Portland
BikePortland: historic and legendary “Bike Swarm” in solidarity with Occupy movement
Upcoming Shows: 12/11 Alex Roth is The Pepper Peddler, 12/18 Jena Robinson on urban farming & food plentitude, 12/26 the Pedal Powered Family, 1/2 Tom LaBonty of tomscargobikes.com
Fine Print: email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com, twitter @SprocketPodcast, phone in: 503-847-9774, or visit us on the web at http://thesprocketpodcast.com for links, info, and more. Ryan J. Lane provides our intro & outro music from his fine independently released 2009 project Conversations of the Leisured. [www.myspace.com/ryanjlane]. Our news segment music is provided by Hurtbird from their 2010 album Nature Vs City which is available on iTunes. [www.hurtbirdmusic.com].
Standard Podcasts [00:59:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (506)
2 responses so far ↓
Logan // Dec 6, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Hey Brock,
Bummer to hear about the theft of your saddle!
I also once used a cable to lock my wheels and my saddle, however, after a while I found the extra-time to lock everything up with a cable cumbersome.
About two years ago Tammy and I switched to Zefal locking skewers. Its awesome to have the peace of mind of having your wheels and saddle locked but without the time of using a cable. When you turn the bike upside down the locking mechanism unlocks and the skewers work like normal quick release skewers (so its easy to change a flat without a special key or wrench). Also to protect against someone removing your headset, handlebars, etc, we put beeswax and a used bearing in the recess of each bolt. The beeswax and bearing is easy to remove for you when turning the bike upside down and using a lighter. However, to a thief, the beeswax and bearing makes for a very difficult impediment with the bike locked in an upright position.
The skewers cost ~$25, beeswax costs about $2 at any natural foods coop, and used bearings can be found for free at any bike repair shop.
Hope that unsolicited story and suggestion can help you or your readers!
We love the show!
Cheers, Logan.
Cheers, Logan.
johnnyk // Dec 11, 2011 at 10:52 am
Ok this is actually my second post to this weeks show but the first one I clicked forward and then back and lost the silly thing. Anyway sorry to hear about your saddle. Also the other post was a book anyway. There is no reason for any advertising for my old software shareware company that never really did anything and has nothing to do with bicycles. Currently I work for a large software company. So bicycles are a way for me to get away from the confines of corporate life. I use bicycles as transportation and they are a hobby. Needless to say most people I know while they admire what I do they think I am absolutely crazy for doing it. Anyway ending this post before it’s a book again. Again another excellent show.
Leave a Comment