In this very special episode, author Colin Stein unveils an epic portrait of our place and time: Vanbikes: Vancouver's Bicycle People and the Fight for Transportation Change, 1986-2011 (An Oral History). In conversation with Gordon and a room full of fans, he relates how the bicycle people transformed Vancouver, and how Vancouver transformed Colin Stein.

Related as a series of discussions and anecdotes and packed with photos and memorabilia, Vanbikes tells of culture change from the inside out. It's a page-turning story of activism both within and beyond the bureaucracy which includes endless bike-lane battles, naked riders, B.C:Clettes dancers, cycling dinosaurs, City Hall smackdowns, and eventually, the mayor of Vancouver himself fronting the Critical Mass, and committing to make Vancouver the #1 cycling city in North America (which, according to some lists, it now is). From grass-roots to sweeping policy change: how we got there, and where we are going.

This podcast includes much laughter, clinking glassware, and some heckling – and concludes with a lively Q&A featuring folks who were featured in the book.

To see Colin's gorgeous portraits and profiles of Vancouver's bike heroes, and/or to order a copy of the book for yourself or a beloved bikeshevik, go to vanbikes.ca

****************************************

The Viewpoint Podcast is a production of Viewpoint Vancouver.
Visit viewpointvancouver.ca for more Urbanism, Insight, and Evolution.  Please subscribe to the Viewpoint newsletter, or subscribe to the Podcast in all the usual paces.

If you like this podcast and want to help shape our region,  please support our labour of love. Cool perks and prizes are at: patreon.com/viewpointvancouver

Music for the VWPT Podcast is by Romina Jones, from her lp Elevation. Hear more from Romina at:  soundcloud.com/andabeat

Catch up on Viewpoint Podcasts you might have missed, HERE.