(PEDAL) POWER COUPLE: MEMBER-VOLUNTEERS KAT & ASUMU

Editors: This story was originally published in Issue 161 of our quarterly Tube Times magazine, one of many perks of membership in the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.

Winterfest is just around the corner, and the excitement is already building. We can’t wait to have the help of over 200 member-volunteers who make it happen. Two folks who you can bet will be there are Kat and Asumu, a veritable volunteering dream team.

Though Kat and Asumu only became members of the SF Bicycle Coalition when they moved to San Francisco from Boston last year, they jumped right into becoming deeply involved with our work. We first came to know them through our monthly Volunteer Night.

“We really like Volunteer Night,” Kat said. “It’s a great way to hang out with other people who bike while helping out the SF Bicycle Coalition.”

Though they now share a mutual fondness for biking, it hasn’t always been love on wheels for Kat and Asumu. Asumu learned to bike at the age of four, and it’s been his primary mode of transportation since middle school. Kat, however, just learned how to bike last year and started riding in the city a few months ago.

“I used to be terrified of going downhill, but now it’s one of my favorite parts!” she said.

In addition to traditional volunteering, Asumu has spent many hours helping with our street campaigns, attending hearings and sending letters to City leaders to help make our streets safe.

“Despite our differences in skill and experience,” explains Asumu, “we both sometimes don’t feel safe in the city and know that the infrastructure can be better. We want to help the SF Bicycle Coalition make cycling more accessible to anyone, anywhere in the city.”

Kat and Asumu are known for taking on less visible but no less important volunteer roles, like setting up for Winterfest to support our work for more bikeable streets.

“Setup is fun because you can see all the goodies they have for auction before the party,” Kat said. “It’s a lot of fun to be behind the scenes.”

“Also, sometimes we’re shy people!” Asumu added. “Plus, free drink tokens don’t hurt.”

Want to join Kat and Asumu as a volunteer at Winterfest on Sunday, Dec. 3? We need over 200 volunteers to make Winterfest happen. Plus all Winterfest volunteers get free entrance and a free drink token. Sign up today.

The Tube Times is published quarterly as one of the many benefits to members of the SF Bicycle Coalition. For a complete list of membership benefits, or to join/renew today, click here.

Become a member and you'll improve your commute and get discounts at shops across the city.