Rust Belt Startup

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: