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On this episode of the Mechanics of Transportation, we talk with Dironna Moore Clarke, from the City of Richmond’s Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility, which is part of the Department of Public Works. She heads up projects that are dubbed Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper. But what is that?

Over the past year or more, her office has been installing temporary infrastructure projects known as lighter, quicker, cheaper. These can range from pop-up parks, to putting safety bollards to slow cars down as they try to turn right to putting up a roundabout.

It’s what’s known as tactical urbanism—which in other cities is also referred to as guerrilla urbanism, pop-up urbanism, or D.I.Y. urbanism. But, the far-off cousin of tactical urbanism stems from when citizens would take it upon themselves to say, install a stop sign or in the case of my neighbor, install a speed hump in our neighborhood.

So, what is Tactical Urbanism and lighter, quicker, cheaper all about? Let’s find out.

If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and want to support my efforts then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. You can also help support my efforts by sharing this podcast on all your socials and rating it and leaving a comment in the show notes.

If you do subscribe I’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. And if you’re a sponsor who’d you know, like to sponsor this show, then let me know. Thanks

Be sure to check out my other podcast, called History Reinvented, which is about the history and future of Mayo Bridge and Island in Richmond ,VA. And, I’m now on YouTube, at IanStewartCycles, where some of these conversations are also posted.

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, where I also happened to report on transportation topics.

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–where recently, I guest hosted an interview with 80s music icon Thomas Dolby.

History Reinvented is a Big Soap Production. I’m Ian Stewart, thanks for tagging along.

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Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube IanStewartCycles

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On this episode of the Mechanics of Transportation, we listen to this informal meeting that featured staff from RVA Rapid Transit, the Greater Richmond Transit Company, (GRTC) and the public about the impact that Zero Fare has made on residents, how it increased ridership and how if it goes away, could be detrimental to the city.

If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and want to support my efforts here at Big Soap Productions, then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. You can also send me a tip via Venmo–Ian-stewart-82 Thanks! And if you’re a sponsor who’d you know, like to sponsor this show, then let me know.

Be sure to rate the show, leave a comment and share with your friends. I

Speaking of checking things out, if you like world music and other tunes, be sure to check out my weekly streaming show called Ian’s World O’ Music, found on MixCloud. For 17 years, I had a two-hour, weekly wms on a public radio station, so I know how to groove. And, I have another podcast, called History Reinvented, which is about the history and future of Mayo Island and Bridge in Richmond–go check it out wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support the show

Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube IanStewartCycles

Send us a text

You can probably tell I’m a bike rider–a lover of the beauty of riding my bike anywhere I can. I’m such a nerd that I just created a YouTube channel showing my bike rides in suburbia (called Ian Stewart Cycles).

I often fantasize of going to the Netherlands and to Amsterdam to ride the city streets. So when I heard that two members of the Dutch Cycling Embassy were visiting Richmond, Virginia to share their knowledge, I wanted to make sure I went to an open house at Richmond’s beautiful Main Street train station.

So, here’s an audio diary of my afternoon hanging out at the open house with the Dutch Cycling Embassy.

If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and want to support my efforts here at Big Soap Productions, then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. You can also send me a tip via Venmo–Ian-Stewart-82

Thanks! And if you’re a sponsor who’d you know, like to sponsor this show, then let me know.

Speaking of checking things out, if you like world music and other tunes, be sure to check out my weekly streaming show called Ian’s World O’ Music, found on MixCloud. For 17 years, I had a two-hour, weekly wms on a public radio station, so I know how to groove. And, I have another podcast, called History Reinvented, which is about the history and future of Mayo Island and Bridge in Richmond–go check it out wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support the show

Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles or YouTube IanStewartCycles