Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In

Welcome to the first episode of Damien Talks, a podcast series for Streetsblog Los Angeles, Streetsblog California, LongBeachize and Santa Monica Next. In each episode, I’ll be talking to someone from the transportation scene from somewhere in California.

Sam Ollinger.
Sam Ollinger.
Sam Ollinger.

I’ll try to provide minimal commentary so that the interviews speak for themselves.

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at damien@streetsblog.org, at twitter @damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

For our first episode, I talk over the phone with San Diego’s Sam Ollinger, the executive director of Bike SD. Bike SD started as a news blog about five years ago and became an official advocacy group just a couple of years ago. Last year, they were honored for excellence in advocacy by the League of American Bicyclists. You can catch up on Bike SD at BikeSD.org and follow Sam at Twitter @ollingers.

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the Damien Talks homepage on Linksyn. We'll have iTunes subscriptions set up by our next broadcast.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Wednesday’s Headlines

More on looming transit disaster in the bay, deadly intersections, waymo crashes, protests and more...

February 11, 2026

Eyes on the Path: L.A. City Adding New Access Points to Chandler Path

New accessible ramp under construction at Strohm Avenue.

February 10, 2026

Call to Action: Support Opening the Alto Rail Tunnel for Cyclists and Pedestrians

It would provide a safe, fast, and level route between Mill Valley and Corte Madera/Larkspur.

February 10, 2026

Another Conspiracy Theory, This One Around a Vehicle Miles Tax, Comes to California

"None of this required secret meetings or hidden language in the bill. It only required repetition — and the willingness to treat worst-case hypotheticals as settled fact."

February 10, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines

More CAHSRA, bikes on freeways, poop on parking, more...

February 10, 2026

This Federal Bill Would Give Your Community More Money To Build Its Own Transportation Future

States monopolize federal transportation funding even though local and regional governments oversee most of our nation's roads. It's time for that to change, a new bill argues.

February 9, 2026
See all posts