In this episode, I sit down with Matt Van Slyke, founder of Utica Bike Rescue, to talk about bikes, mobility, walkable cities, and why transportation is really about participation and freedom. Utica Bike Rescue has redistributed thousands of bikes over the past decade — helping people get to work, school, and medical appointments — but Matt’s work goes far beyond bike repair.
As a transportation planner, he helps us understand how infrastructure shapes daily life, community connection, and opportunity. In this conversation, we explore:
🚲 What Utica Bike Rescue actually does — and how the model works
🏙️ Why walkable and bikeable communities create stronger civic life
🚗 The surprising reality of car access in mid-size cities like Utica
🧠 Why mobility = freedom, especially for people without reliable transportation
🔌 Utica Bike Rescue’s new electric mobile bike repair van and what it unlocks
👥 How everyday people can support better transportation and community design
This episode isn’t just about bikes — it’s about how we design places that invite people to participate, connect, and belong. Learn more or get involved: https://uticabikerescue.org If you enjoyed this conversation, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who cares about community, cities, or local impact.
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