- Online voting begins on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 and ends Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016 at 11:59 pm.
- Voting in person is also available during office hours at the SF Bicycle Coalition office for the duration of the voting period.
- Paper ballots may also be printed but must be received by Dec. 4, 2016.
- Opportunities to meet and hear from candidates will be available at our annual Member Meeting and Open House and Winterfest.
- Only current SF Bicycle Coalition members as of Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 at 11:59 pm may cast a ballot.
- Results will be announced in the Biker Bulletin and the Tube Times.
- If you have technical questions regarding voting, please contact our technical staff at boardvoting@sfbike.org.
About SF Bicycle Coalition Board Elections
The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. Any SF Bicycle Coalition member can run for the board. The board is responsible for ensuring the organization’s financial health and achievement of its mission. The 15-member board is elected by the membership. There is a board election each year and terms are two years. Eight seats on the board of directors will be elected by the membership this year for the term from Jan. 1, 2017 to Dec. 31, 2018. A full timeline and detailed description of the process can be found here.
In each election, members of the board who are not running for re-election may select and recommend a number of candidates. These board-recommended candidates meet the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition’s goals for board leadership with respect to commitment to the mission, specific skills (e.g., organizational development, finance, fundraising), representation of bicycle and allied organizations, and diversity. The SF Bicycle Coalition Board developed the following list of top skills/qualities to consider when recommending candidates given this year’s organizational priorities as well as ongoing needs from the organization’s leadership.
If you are a member who is interested in learning more about board service in future years, please contact us at boardnomination@sfbike.org.
Candidate Statements
*Candidate questionnaire responses can be viewed by clicking on a candidate’s name. You can also view all responses here.
Nicholas Aulston
SF Bicycle Coalition Board recommended // Save SF Bike endorsed
As an advocate intent on establishing a safe haven for community members to develop their own bike mechanic, bike safety, and bike activism skills, I co-founded the Bicis del Pueblo community bike project in the Excelsior. Through my advocacy work, I’ve learned a tremendous amount about the state of biking in SF. I want to apply my talents as an urban planner, cartographer, and organizer to tap into the inherent genius of SFBC members to improve biking in SF.
VOTE FOR ME! — if you believe that the board of the SFBC should reflect and value the diversity within the biking community from commuters to weekend warriors, messengers, and youth to elders. If voted onto the board, I’ll be dedicated to expanding membership to reflect diversity and ensure the wealth of voices in the biking community are heard at SFBC.
I’ve been by recommended by the SF Bicycle Coalition board and endorsed by Save SF Bike.
Rocky Beach (incumbent)
SF Bicycle Coalition Board recommended
Rocky Beach is a 10+ year SFBC member dedicated to making San Francisco a better city for bicycling. As both an urban and recreational cyclist, he uses the city’s bicycle lanes on a daily basis (often logging more than 15+ commuting miles per day) and is passionate about the SFBC’s work and influence on the city. For the past four years, Rocky has brought to the board important skills in fundraising and relationship building. Rocky works as the Executive Director of Ultimate Impact, an organization that uses team sports as a framework for emotional development for at-risk youth.
In addition to serving as a positive force on the board, Rocky also volunteers for many of the SFBC’s key events like Winterfest, Bike to Work Day (captain of the Inner-Richmond station), bike builds, and Tour de Fat. Rocky also hosts a homebrew, chili, and pie competition as an annual fundraiser for the SFBC.
John Beckmann
SF Bicycle Coalition Board recommended
I am a long-time SFBC member, have been a daily bike commuter for 10 years, and cycle my 2 year old son to school in Glen Park. As an advocate of cycling, I believe it is an important part of making San Francisco a livable, enjoyable, world-class city. Cycling is an environmentally friendly, and fun way to get around – but can be scary! I am running for the board because I want to help make cycling SAFE and ACCESSIBLE for ALL residents to explore our amazing city. For example – dedicated bike lanes make a huge difference!
The SFBC is instrumental in shaping transportation policy, and needs to continue to be transparent, democratic, and encourage strong member involvement to achieve its goals.
A strong board requires a mix of skills. I bring professional experience in finance, strategic planning and management to the board, as well as a parent’s perspective.
I am honored to be recommended by the board and would appreciate your support!
Risa Blumlein
SF Bicycle Coalition Board recommended
I am a fifth-generation San Franciscan and grew up in our local public schools. My grandfather was a grocer in Laurel Heights and my father biked in the city before there were bike lanes. I fell in love with biking on my first tour, down the California Coast. Now my family has four living generations and I am committed to making San Francisco a safe biking city for families, from toddlers to older adults.
In my professional life I have led several membership organizations with various governance structures and am deeply familiar with the nuances involved. As a nonprofit financial leader with 13 years of experience I could help SFBC manage resources, forecast cash and establish a long-term plan for sustainability and growth. With a strong network of friends and family in my hometown, I would welcome the opportunity to offer my local resources to advance the vision of SFBC.
Yogi Hendlin
Like you, I am excited for San Francisco to advance its cycling infrastructure and clean air transportation. Harnessing disruptive innovations allowing less people to own and use cars, the SFBC has the opportunity to play a powerful role in expanding bay-wide cycling policy and infrastructure, resuming its rightful place in city politics as a key player creating a greener, freer, safer, and more fun city and region. Now is a time for coordinated, resolute, and strategic action.
Business-as-usual scripts, however, will neither bring us the political, economic, nor social power required to make this happen. As an Executive Board member, I would bring my experience as a daily SF commuter, a Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Planning Board member, public health policy researcher at UCSF, environmental justice and cycling advocate and academic, and willingness to listen intently to all stakeholders from government to business to community to SFBC members.
Chema Hernández Gil
Save SF Bike endorsed
I became the SF Bicycle Coalition’s first Community Organizer in 2012. During my time on staff, I founded the community bike build program and led many of SFBC’s top priority infrastructure campaigns. I am currently the Political Coordinator for SF Rising, a powerful alliance of community groups dedicated to building the political power of the city’s working-class communities of color.
During my time at the SF Bike, I continually demanded better, safer infrastructure from the SF Municipal Transportation Agency and witnessed time after time how much-needed projects — from 2nd Street to Polk to Masonic — were weakened or delayed due to political meddling. As a member of the SFBC Board of Directors, my goal would be to support staff in maximizing the power of our member coalition to overcome these barriers and achieve our organization’s mission. Thank you for voting for me and my fellow Save SF Bike candidates.
Amandeep Jawa (incumbent)
SF Bicycle Coalition Board recommended
Hi, I’m Amandeep (‘Deep) Jawa, long-time Board member and local environmental activist. Through my involvement in numerous political campaigns and the SFBC, I’ve worked to create a better world locally, regionally, and nationally.
I live car-free and biking is a huge part of my identity. You may know my parklet on Valencia St or my music-tricycle from Sunday Streets, Bike Party, and Critical Mass. I’ve been an active volunteer at the SFBC (both as a Board member and not) since joining in the late ’90s.
I’m honored to once again be recommended by the Board, as I understand how carefully the Board assess its needs, cultivates candidates, and then recommends individuals who fit the organization’s long-term needs. Our well-functioning board is one significant reason we have been so successful over the past 20 years. I urge you to vote for all the Board recommended candidates.
Marie Jonas
SF Bicycle Coalition Board recommended
Marie Jonas began commuting to work by bike five years ago and is grateful to live in a city where, thanks to SFBC, riding is increasingly practical, safe, and fun. Finding a new passion in riding, she completed her first AIDS/LifeCycle this past June. Now, Marie wants to bring that passion to SFBC, to help the organization keep fighting for safer streets and a larger, more diverse, ridership.
With a background including legal expertise representing non-profits in litigation, grassroots engagement knocking on doors for the Democratic Party and protecting the vote, and substantial fundraising efforts, Marie has the skills and experience needed to help SFBC remain effective and sustainable. Working together with this amazing, energetic community of cyclists and incredible staff, she will bring a strong and insightful voice to the Board.
Marie loves SFBC and will help it continue to improve bicycling in the city!
Adam Keats
SF Bicycle Coalition Board recommended // Save SF Bike endorsed
I’m a lifelong political and environmental activist and a 19-year nonprofit environmental lawyer, first with the Center for Biological Diversity and now with the Center for Food Safety. I have extensive experience in nonprofit law, including serving as general counsel of CBD, where I dealt with compliance, best practices, liability, personnel, and crisis management.
I’ve oriented my life around bicycling, including 30 years of daily bike commuting and now, with my wife, riding our two little kids to school every day. I’ve been an SFBC member since 2004.
I’d like to put my experience and skills to work for the political cause of bicycling and to help make bicycling safer and more universal in San Francisco.
I’m both a consensus-builder and a fierce advocate, and I’m proud to be recommended by the SFBC Board and endorsed by Save SF Bike.
I’d be honored to earn your vote.
Brad McManus
I’m running for a seat on the Board to reinvigorate its mission and help the city meet its aggressive goal of zero traffic fatalities by 2024. While always a supporter of Vision Zero, I became a dedicated advocate after witnessing Kate Slattery’s death in a hit-and-run at 7th and Howard this past June. The incident deeply affected me, and has resulted in a greater personal drive to engage civically.
As part of my platform, I advocate for the SFBC to facilitate a member-driven Technology Committee that produces products for people that ride bikes in the Bay Area. Last summer I built a Bike + BART app in an attempt to use technology to promote cycling and public transit-oriented transportation. Currently I’m constructing a district-based reporting app that makes it simple to engage with city agencies and officials to make our streets safer. Learn more about my candidacy at www.bradforbikeboard.com.
Lindy Kae Patterson
SF Bicycle Coalition Board recommended // Save SF Bike endorsed
A bike coalition member since moving to SF in 2009, I’ve seen so many positive, tangible changes to the livability and bikability of our streets thanks to the great work of our SFBC. With the board moving into a strategic planning process this term, I’m excited by the opportunity to help map out a path toward making SF’s streets even safer and more accessible for all San Franciscans. I bring to this task 10+ years of experience as a nonprofit brand strategist/creative director, helping mission-driven organizations align their strategic directions with their essential cultural and organizational identities. I’m passionate about the SFBC’s work for so many reasons: I ride a bike for everyday transportation, it’s my favorite way to travel and be outside, I’m co-owner of a bike-centered business (Pedal Inn Bike Tours), and I believe deeply in the role bikes play in achieving greater social and environmental justice.
Jeremy Pollock
SF Bicycle Coalition Board Recommended // Save SF Bike endorsed
I bike to work as a Legislative Aide to Supervisor John Avalos and bring over a decade of experience with San Francisco politics and government. I worked closely with the Bicycle Coalition on the Bike Yield, Unclaimed Bikes, Employee Bike Access, and Bike Parking ordinances. I’m excited to bring my extensive knowledge of the City’s legislative and budgetary processes to the board.
I am on the steering committee of the San Francisco League of Pissed Off Voters and have helped write their voter guides since 2004. I’m also a founding board member of a small arts nonprofit and have experience drafting bylaws and setting strategic direction.
In 2015 I founded “Save SF Bike,” responsible for reinstating SFBC members’ right to vote in board elections. I believe that remaking San Francisco into a truly bike-friendly city requires that we grow and diversify the SFBC and increase member engagement in our advocacy.
Marnie (Mars) Regen
Save SF Bike endorsed
Fundraising is the lifeblood of a non-profit. The acute need for the SFBC is to close a $100K funding gap until new staff are hired. I’m qualified to assist, being experienced in the financial and strategic planning of non-profits, including fundraising, event planning, and cause marketing.
I’m the Chief Development Officer for Education Outside, a non-profit teaching science to under-resourced public school students in outdoor garden classrooms. I volunteer with SFBC and Yellow Bike, and dedicated my career to the non-profit sector, with 20 years experience working for environmental, harm reduction, anti-poverty, and educational organizations.
My goals as an SFBC Board member are to close the budget gap, increase and diversify membership, improve public safety, and forge the coalition into a new era of influence and representation. As a full-time bicycle commuter, Tenderloin resident and mother of a preteen cyclist, I understand personally the needs of families and urban riders.
Lauren Sailor
Save SF Bike endorsed
I’ve known how to bike since childhood, and in 2004 I (finally!) discovered biking was the best way to get around. A 2007 cross-country tour with Bike & Build further deepened my appreciation for bicycles as everyday transportation.
After moving to SF in 2011, I became an SFBC member and volunteer. I’m a passionate supporter of Vision Zero and help organize the Ride of Silence to honor fallen cyclists. An intersectional feminist, I’m also sensitive to accessibility issues after spending three months on crutches in 2014.
I’ve worked on and with bikes for 7+ years, doing everything from bicycle delivery to my current role in marketing/events. Aside from the cycling industry, my background includes education, fundraising, communication, and grassroots advocacy. I studied sociology at University of Chicago and wrote my bachelor’s thesis on structural organization within Chicago Critical Mass. I strongly support Save SF Bike’s platform to improve our organization.
Abigail Tinker
SF Bicycle Coalition Board recommended
SFBC is part of the magic pixie dust that gives San Francisco its unique sparkle and I am passionate about increasing the shine with safer streets and expanding bike community. Beyond enthusiasm to promote the bicycle for everyday transportation, I hope to contribute my experience in financial and analytical modeling to the Board’s fiduciary duties.
I have worked to advance sustainable energy issues for over a decade. To amplify my impact I earned a MA from Columbia University’s Earth Institute and a MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. I currently work at PG&E on increasing electric vehicle adoption and grid integration. My nonprofit volunteer experience includes Berkeley Energy and Resources Collaborative (co-president), Boston Roller Derby (various leadership), and Angel Island Conservancy (board).
My recreation is often adventurous, wheeled pursuits including roller derby and bike camping. I bike daily and have never owned a car.
Jiro Yamamoto
Save SF Bike endorsed
Waking up in the hospital in 1999 after being hit by a car, I decided to join the SFBC, the California Bicycle Coalition and the League of American Bicyclists.
As a 17-year member, I have volunteered at countless SFBC events. In 2016, I participated in most board meetings. My primary goal as a board member would be to activate, diversify and increase our membership to move us forward.
As a firefighter in San Francisco, I see firsthand the reality of our complex mix of infrastructure, motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. The injuries and deaths on our streets motivate me to press for positive change.
At work, I learned of the cultural and political divide between cyclists and SF natives who dominate the police and fire departments. I can offer insight and connections to bridge that gap, increase our social and political power, and gain standing in the city.