Guest post from Matt Biggar, SF Bike Board Member
On May 18th, my 16-year-old son Jack and I completed our first 100-mile bike ride. It was a fun challenge to cross off our list, but that was only part of the reason we had such a wonderful weekend.
We were riding in our third Green Fondo Nor Cal Weekend Climate Ride together, raising money for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and Walk SF as part of Team SF. Climate Rides are an enjoyable and impactful way to raise significant funds for local nonprofits.
We love the community that gathers for these weekends. There’s a palpable energy and camaraderie among the riders, rooted in a shared focus on taking climate action. Climate Ride has expanded its reach and become more inclusive each year, welcoming riders of all levels and bikes of all types and increasing the racial and gender diversity of participants.
And, of course, it’s California! The scenery along the ride was outstanding in rural and coastal sections of Sonoma County. The ride support was excellent, with aid stations putting on delicious lunch spreads and serving local pies.
The best part was the finish – this year, we raised almost $5,500 to date from our ride, and every dollar we raised goes directly to the vital work that the SF Bike Coalition and Walk SF do every day to make our streets safer for biking, rolling, and walking. Jack and I share their collective vision of a walkable, livable, thriving, and less car-dependent city. If you are interested, you can still make a tax-deductible donation here.
We’d love for you to join us next year and help us grow Team SF (which started in 2023). If you would like to be notified when registration opens for next year’s Green Fondo, you can learn more here and let us know you’re interested in joining Team SF!
Matt Biggar. Ph.D., is a 20-year resident of San Francisco and is passionate about active transportation and livable communities. He writes, speaks, and works on place-based systems change and collaboration. He has served on the SF Bike Board of Directors since 2024.
