Lawrence Li first moved to San Francisco in 1998, when the bikeability and livability of our streets was a far cry from the routes we enjoy today.
“At the time, the bicycling community gathered monthly at Justin Herman Plaza to demonstrate safe riding,” Lawrence said. “That is when I learned the necessity of the SF Bicycle Coalition’s work to promote a vision of safe, everyday bicycling.”
Biking and sharing the city with others who biked became an intrinsic part of Lawrence’s life in San Francisco.
“This community improved the way I experience my city: inspiring activity, making travel more convenient and saving cash for a few burritos,” Lawrence said. “I had to join as a member and support this great new way to live.”
From seeing the necessity for safe streets advocacy, to becoming a member, Lawrence’s involvement with the SF Bicycle Coalition continued to evolve.
“Over the years, I actively volunteered while I built my nonprofit administration, neighborhood and social justice experience,” Lawrence said. “A few years ago, the board invited me to run for a different kind of volunteer role.”
So he ran and won election to the board. Since then, he’s served in a variety of roles, including serving last year as president of our all-volunteer Board of Directors.
“I have worked on Personnel, Audit, Finance and Board Development committees alongside some amazing board leaders,” Lawrence said. “I enjoy supporting staff and a healthy organization from the committees, where much of the work of the board happens. And I enjoy hearing reports of the extensive work of all the other committees at board meetings.”
Lawrence see his service as paying a debt to the volunteers and staff whose work improves the livability of his adopted city.
“As a nonprofit professional at SPUR, I personally benefit from volunteer support of 100 board members, and I get how they strengthen the organization and mission,” Lawrence said. “As someone who feels gratitude to the SF Bicycle Coalition for my quality of life, I owe it my time, knowledge and skills.”
Members elect half of our all-volunteer Board of Directors every year. This year, voting opens on Nov. 14 and closes at Winterfest on Dec. 4. Voting will also be available online during that time, and in person at our office (1720 Market St.)