Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Active SGV

SGV Connect 93 – Bike Month with Senator Portantino and ActiveSGV

May is Bike Month, and we're kicking off the "Chris and Damien" era at #SGVConnect with two interviews that tie-in to bicycling in the San Gabriel Valley.

First, Chris visits La Cañada Flintridge to interview Senator Anthony Portantino. Portantino famously became an avid cyclist during the coronavirus stay-at-home orders and has developed his own bicycling exercise routine. He has taken his new bicycling passion with him to Sacramento where he authored legislation that would force more communities to plan for and make progress on bicycle and pedestrian planning.

In our second interview, Damien talks with Wes Reutimann and Danielle Zamora with Active SGV. The conversation starts with a wrap-up of the recent 626 Golden Streets a couple of weeks ago and continues with a discussion of Active Transportation planning throughout San Gabriel Valley cities.

At the end of the podcast, Damien mentions this action alert put out by Active SGV in South Pasadena. The City Council is going to vote on a new project list for Metro funding and sadly their draft list is missing many walking, bicycling and transit projects in the city's transportation plan.

And if you want to hear more podcasts featuring Chris, make sure to also check out SGV Weekly. His most recent episode featured Christine Tran discussing food insecurity and battling Asian American stereotypes.

SGV Connect is supported by Foothill Transit, offering car-free travel throughout the San Gabriel Valley with connections to the new Gold Line Stations across the Foothills and Commuter Express lines traveling into the heart of downtown L.A. To plan your trip, visit Foothill Transit. “Foothill Transit. Going Good Places.”

Sign-up for our SGV Connect Newsletter, coming to your inbox on Fridays and catch past episodes of SGV Connect and #DamienTalks on LibSyn,iTunes, Google Play, or Overcast.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

New E-Bike Legislation That Includes Mandatory License Plates Panned by Bike Safety Advocates

I think everyone agrees there's a safety issue with motorized bikes and modified e-bikes being treated as bicycles, but based on early reviews this legislation won't solve those problems.

February 18, 2026

Wedneday’s Headlines

I am. Somebody.

February 18, 2026

Bicyclist Killed on Northern Marin Road Considered Part of the SMART Path

Staying active as we age should not result in senseless tragedy like this.

February 17, 2026

Updates on L.A. City Stopping Resurfacing, Instead Doing “Large Asphalt Repair”

Bureau of Street Services GM states that budget cuts forced them to pivot to "large asphalt repair." That practice ends up resurfacing streets partially, ineffectively, and inefficiently.

February 17, 2026

Winners and Losers in California’s VMT-Based CEQA System

An urban planner ranks the winners and losers in the state's VMT system.

February 17, 2026

Tuesday’s Presidential Headlines

CAHSRA Chief in trouble, transit and transportation funding from Bay to SD, Oil, walkouts, more...

February 17, 2026
See all posts