Streets.mn Podcast

The Borealis is the first new Amtrak service Minnesota has had since the 80's. Let's chat with some of the people riding on opening day to find out what this train means to them! Episode chapters 00:00 | Intro 07:38 | Jeffrey Mack & Felecia Thomas Mack 11:11 | Lillaia Christiansen 16:03 | Brandon Maurisak 24:12 | Kadence Kushnir 34:04 | Angel Morris Hernandez 45:21 | Operating differences from Emp...

There is far more wildlife living in our cities than many humans realize. Meet a couple University of Minnesota researchers studying urban foxes and coyotes! Links Twin Cities Coyote and Fox Project (TCCFP) Urban Coyotes | Minnesota DNR Mapping habitat use and disease of urban carnivores Living With The Coyotes Among Us | Streets.mn Attributions Our theme song is Tanz den Dobberstein, and our inte...

Once a year, the residents of Uptown are delighted by preschoolers walking around the neighborhood, handing out poems they wrote. Let's meet the teachers behind the tradition! Episode chapters 00:00 | Intro 03:00 | Teachers Julia & Claire 34:52 | The Parklet 41:08 | Poems 43:11 | Outro Attributions Our theme song is Tanz den Dobberstein, and our interstitial song is Puck's Blues. Both tracks used...

Early in the pandemic, Bemidji offered to pay teleworkers to move there. Let's take a trip up north to find out how it went! Links 218 Relocate Similar program in Tulsa Paul Bunyan Communications Attributions Our theme song is Tanz den Dobberstein, and our interstitial song is Puck's Blues. Both tracks used by permission of their creator, Erik Brandt. Find out more about his band, The Urban Hillbi...

We took the opportunity at BikeMN's summit on capitol hill to chat with activists from across the state about cycling in their communities. Episode Chapters 00:00 | Intro 00:46 | Alice Tibbetts, Duluth 15:46 | Ben Scheidel, Mankato 33:04 | The Parklet 34:23 | Glen Kajewski and Andy Miller, Thief River Falls 52:21 | Outro Attributions Our theme song is Tanz den Dobberstein, and our interstitial son...

Kathy Lantry and Amy Brendmoen collectively spent three decades on Saint Paul City Council, each serving as Council President for part of that time. We get their insider perspective about the process of how policy gets made and budgets set, how things changed as more women joined the council, and what they wish they had more time to accomplish. Attributions Our theme song is Tanz den Dobberstein,...

Spencer Miller-Johnson, Senior City Planner for the City of St. Paul, joins Sherry for a lively conversation about zoning and land use. Spencer helps us unpack a city report on its East Grand Avenue Overlay Study. He also shares about the city's planning philosophies, why he's passionate about form-based codes, and what keeps him up at night. Hear about how you can help guide potential zoning chan...

You may have noticed bus stops in the Twin Cities with signs naming someone who adopted them. That's right, Metro Transit now has an Adopt-a-stop program! They recently hosted an appreciation brunch, so we went and chatted with other adopters about how they're liking the program. Links Find out if your local stop or shelter is getting upgrades Become a stop adopter Report issues with stops and fac...

Building on the momentum from last year's historic Minnesota State legislative session , several organizations are bringing ambitious transportation and land use proposals to the table this year. Links 2023 Legislative Wrap-up   Neighbors for More Neighbors   Streets.mn episode on Land Value Tax   Rumble Strip episode about road maintenance   Bike Walk Summit on Capitol Hill: March 14 Attributions...

What to do with an urban highway that destroyed a community 60 years ago? ReConnect Rondo wants to put a land bridge over it. Episode chapters, links 00:00 | Intro Streets.mn Podcast episode on urban highway removal 00:55 | Interview part 1 Rondo land bridge feasibility study 25:56 | The Parklet Streets.mn bonfire event Donate to Streets.mn 27:14 | Interview part 2 Rondo land bridge health impact...

How do you choose a neighborhood to move to? Ian and Tim took very different approaches, did they both end up in places they like? Listen in on their discussion, moderated by Sherry Johnson! Episode chapters & links 00:00 | Intro 01:37 | Tell us about your move 06:22 | What drew you to that neighborhood? 09:42 | How do you move car-free? Ian moving a couch by bike trailer 14:10 | Spending time wit...

This podcast episode comes to you in two parts: Side A: A photographer from Grand Marais previews an upcoming DNR touring route. Side B: The Streets.mn Podcast team looks back on our favorite episodes of 2023! Episode chapters 00:00 | Intro 01:00 | The Border to Border Touring Route WTIP's episode Video: Bryan's gear Bryan's website 25:12 | Our favorite episodes of 2023 Editor Jeremy Winter Rezoni...

Hear what it's like to lead and run a bikeshare program with our guests, Melissa Summers and Alasdair McKernan. Formerly of our beloved Nice Ride, they now help run our car sharing program. Listen in as they share their wisdom about the logistics of bikeshare, the complications of the entities who run them, and advice for anyone who'd want to rebirth a Cities-wide option. Links Dan Marshall's arti...

Everything you want to know about potholes, but were too afraid to ask! How do they form? What can we do about them? We sit down with engineers Doug Fischer and Bev Farraher to chat about all that and more! Connect with us Anatomy of a pothole video Doug's website: The Highway Doctor Spreadsheet comparing vehicle weights and damage to the street Neighborhood electric vehicle Article about vehicle...

Passenger train advocacy organization All Aboard Minnesota is celebrating their 10th anniversary. Let's learn the history of the organization! Connect with us All Aboard Minnesota 10 year celebration AAMN video: Why Passenger Rail is good for Minnesota Discuss this episode on social media with the hashtag #StreetsMNPodcast Help make the show possible by  making a donation  or  sponsoring the show...

We sit down with Sherry Johnson to chat about her popular article series of motorists' questions for bicyclists! Connect with us The Top 10 Questions for Bicyclists article series Email Sherry at facilitator.sher@gmail.com Discuss this episode on social media with the hashtag #StreetsMNPodcast Help make the show possible by  making a donation  or  sponsoring the show ! Attributions Our theme song...

There are people who travel long distances by bike, and there are people who are willing to open their homes to those traveling by bike. Together, they make up the Warmshowers community! Episode summary 00:00 | Intro 01:08 | History of Warmshowers 04:55 | Stina and Ian's experiences 09:29 | Getting started on Warmshowers 13:44 | Tips for hosting 19:06 | Tips for guesting 25:24 | Twin Cities WS com...

New Saint Paul resident Sarah Johnson interviews city councilwoman Mitra Jalali about her thoughtful and people-centered approach to transportation infrastructure. Show Notes Sarah has a conversation with Councilor Mitra Jalali of Ward 4 in Saint Paul, MN. Car Free Midwest is a podcast exploring the stories, barriers and joys of getting around the midwest without a car. Building community around m...

Join Elissa Shufman and Ian R Buck for a discussion of the novel The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd. A mystery that has us pondering what is a map, and how does it give us power? Episode summary 00:00 | Intro 01:31 | Spoiler-free 19:56 | The Parklet 27:51 | Spoilers 42:54 | Outro Links, connect with us The Cartographers Next book: How to Do Nothing Participate in Car-free MSP this September! Purpl...

There are several current pilot projects in Minnesota that point towards exciting possibilities for public transportation. Let's take a look! Episode summary 00:00 | Intro 01:21 | Micro Transit 23:00 | Southwest Transit Lyft Integration 32:57 | The parklet with Kyle 36:24 | Electrifying buses 42:51 | Self-driven buses, goMARTI 59:01 | Outro Images Connect with us Move Minneapolis Micro Transit Web...

Though Hopkins is one of the smaller Minneapolis suburbs, it packs a big punch on climate action. We dig into two really innovative programs they're doing on reducing the urban heat island effect and speeding deployment of clean energy and energy efficiency solutions with a cost share program. We speak with Hopkins Mayor Patrick Hanlon and Special Projects and Initiatives Manager, PeggySue Imihy B...

BikeMN was founded 15 years ago as a statewide bike advocacy organization. Its founding executive director, Dorian Grilley, is stepping down this summer. Let's look back at his career! Connect with us Suggested listening: Legislative session wrap-up Streets.mn summer picnic BikeMN at Indeed Brewing Donor Party at Erik's Take our survey - we want to know more about our listeners! Discuss this episo...

Sarah Johnson, Omaha-based transportation advocate and podcaster, decided to move to the Twin Cities. Let's follow along with her moving journey! We'll check in at a couple of key points to get a more full picture of what it's like to move to a brand new metro area. Episode summary 00:00 | Intro 01:02 | December 2022 - picking a neighborhood 27:33 | The Parklet 29:13 | June 2023 - Buying, renovati...

Minnesota just finished a historic legislative session! Let's hear from leading transportation advocates what we accomplished. Episode summary 00:00 | Intro 00:48 | How we got here 17:06 | Funding for transit 29:01 | New passenger rail 41:33 | Biking safety laws, routes, and funding 58:21 | Looking forward to next year's session 59:17 | Outro Further resources 2022 All Aboard Minnesota passenger r...

Let's talk bike accessories! Over his years of bike commuting, Ian has found a few items that he keeps with him at all times. Here are his recommendations! 00:00 | Intro 00:26 | Current news 02:07 | Ortlieb panniers 17:05 | Pizza Rack Carrying yard waste on the Pizza Rack DIY splash guard 28:11 | Abus Bordo folding lock 34:08 | PDW Ninja Pump Ian's full bike toolkit 39:46 | Rokform phone mount 51:...