It’s time for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition annual election of our all-volunteer Board of Directors. Here you will find information about the process, statements by the candidates, and links to questions you may have.
The timeline is:
- Online voting begins on Wednesday morning, Jan. 23, 2019 and ends Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019 at 11:59 pm.
- Members will each receive an individual e-mail on Jan. 23 with a code and link enabling them to vote. This code will be sent to the e-mail address on file through which the member receives communications from the SF Bicycle Coalition. Please add invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com to your contacts. If you do not see your invitation in your inbox, please check your spam folder.
- Voting in person is also available during office hours at the SF Bicycle Coalition office (1720 Market St.) for the duration of the voting period.
- Opportunities to meet and hear from candidates will be available at our annual Member Meeting and Open House on Jan. 23.
- Only current SF Bicycle Coalition members as of Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019 at 11:59 pm may cast a ballot.
- Results will be announced in the Biker Bulletin email and the Tube Times magazine.
- If you have technical questions regarding voting, please contact our election administrators 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 beginning at the first board meeting following this election until the new board is seated following the 2020 board elections. 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.
This will be our second board election using ranked-choice voting, giving members the chance to rank their votes in order of preference. Our board of directors adopted ranked-choice voting in the hope that it will encourage increased member participation in our elections and our work. For more information about multi-winner ranked-choice voting, click here.
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
*All candidates completed an online questionnaire to declare their interest in running for the board. You can view all candidate questionnaire responses here.
Nic Jay Aulston (Incumbent)
Board recommended
During my time on the board, I’ve earned four significant honors:
- Elected President of the Board of Directors
- Received a Golden Wheel Award for Bicis Del Pueblo
- Recommended by the SFBC Board
- Recommended by SFBC Momentum
While it is impossible for one person to represent all the various, and sometimes divergent, priorities of our membership, I lead feeling obliged to listen, understand, and honor the voices of members while encouraging them to meaningfully engage with the SFBC to achieve safer streets for all.
As a co-founder of Bicis del Pueblo, I work with an ambitious group of people along with dozens of organizations and volunteers building community and addressing the needs of underserved individuals and families through improving their bike mechanic, riding, and advocacy skills in a culturally competent way.
I look forward to serving another two years on the board and continuing to elevate voices that haven’t been prioritized.
Sarah Bindman
Board recommended
I am passionate about transportation justice. I have dedicated my professional career to working as a transportation planner in both the public and private sectors designing protected bike lanes, evaluating transportation access, and helping transit agencies reach their mobility goals.
Since I began biking to work five years ago, I have fallen in love with the freedom cycling permits: a sense of personal agency and security. I have also experienced challenges including unsafe infrastructure, conflicts with vehicles and pervasive stereotypes. I am particularly interested in having cycling feel more approachable as it took me many years to feel safe while riding in the City.
I hope to leverage my experience working in transportation to advance SFBC’s strategic plan as I believe everyone deserves access to safe bike routes and the community support they need to feel comfortable while cycling.
Please support me and other Safety Together candidates!
Sarah Clusen Buecher
My name is Sarah Clusen Buecher and I’ve lived in San Francisco for more than 20 years. During that time I’ve ridden my bike for everyday transportation and recreation, but when my 16 year old daughter took up mountain bike racing with the SF Composite Team (part of the NorCal High School Cycling League) I gained a whole new appreciation of the many ways cycling can change people’s lives for the better. As my kids have gotten older and begun cycling around the city on their own, I’ve been grateful for the past work of the Bike Coalition to create a safer environment for riders and pedestrians alike. I look forward to working with the Bicycle Coalition to build on the organizations previous successes and to expand access to cycling to a new generation of San Franciscans for whom cycling can be a transformational experience.
Amandeep Jawa (Incumbent)
After 13 years on the Board, I’m running again because I love this organization as much as ever! I love the change we make in the world. I love our mission. I love bringing the joy and the hope that is bicycling to more and more people.
SFBC is a kick-ass, get-things-done organization because of the strength of our members, channeled by our staff, and supported by our Board. Membership continues to be our greatest asset. Staff continues to focus and execute on our goals. But the Board has too often lost focus on what matters: supporting staff efforts to build bike lanes, expand access to biking, and make bicycling safer for all San Franciscans.
I’m running with Safety Together because we believe the Board’s priority is supporting our staff, financially, legally, and strategically, so they can stay focused on on our mission — promoting the bicycle for every day transportation.
Roan Kattouw
I’ve been an SFBC member since I immigrated here seven years ago. I was born and raised in the Netherlands, where I grew up biking to school every day from age 5 through high school and college. Back there that’s safe and perfectly normal, but here in San Francisco it’s not. We need to fix that.
We need a new, ambitious, citywide bike plan to build more and safer infrastructure. A lot has been achieved in the past five years, but now it’s time to set the bar higher. Protected bike lanes are the new normal; protected intersections should be next. Bike lanes and bike share stations should be available to everyone across the city, not just in a few neighborhoods.
I’m a software engineer and former manager at a non-profit by day, and an advocate at City Hall by night, and I’m endorsed by SFBC Momentum.
Meaghan Mitchell
Board recommended
My life’s work is based off an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
My success in building the trust of residents from the most vulnerable neighborhoods in SF, stems my experience growing up in Bayview, a historically marginalized community.
My background is multifaceted, but diversity, inclusion, and community engagement are where my focuses most commonly intersect.
Over time my outreach work has made me successful in helping establish the legislated “African American Arts & Cultural District” of SF, work with a team to launch the first dock-less e-bike share system in SF “JUMP Bikes”, debut Hoodline’s Bayview news coverage through journalism, and lead the “Play Streets For All” initiative while working for Livable City.
With Safety Together, It would be my distinguished honor to bring my strong voice and advocacy skills to SFBC as a member of the board.
Tyler Morris
Board recommended
I joined SFBC five years ago and have been a business member for four years. I actively volunteer and give back each year to SFBC. I’ve been a bicycle commuter for nearly twenty years not only in San Francisco, but also New Orleans and Los Angeles.
I own and operate Underdog Couriers—a bay area bicycle messenger company. Working as a messenger I intimately know what it’s like being an SF cyclist—the joy and frustration. I can’t help but support SFBC’s mission, staff, and the community it represents.
I’m running because I want the SFBC Board to ACT. I want more Accountability, Communication, and Transparency. A Board that ACTs only strengthens SFBC’s mission. I’m endorsed by the SFBC Board, SFBC Momentum, and supported by SFBC staff.
I believe the Board can be stronger and more impactful to support SFBC staff and strengthen the voice of its members. Keep pedaling!
Pamela Ocampo
Board recommended
When it comes to transit, my go-to is my bike. While I value physical safety when riding the streets, it’s equally important that people feel they can identify with the greater SF biking community. The bike coalition’s reach and influence should be both accessible and transparent — and not cater to a single community of folks who have greater mobility, access, and capital.
As a Latina in tech, I’m constantly aware of entrenched barriers to entry and actively seek to challenge them. Effecting change in the social fabric of our biking community starts with a diverse board and a cohesive SFBC Strategic Plan. As a board member, I will wholeheartedly support our objectives, and will also hold the plan accountable for serving a diverse community and making our rides feel safe.
Please support me and the Safety Together candidates in prioritizing an inclusive biking community and safer streets in San Francisco.
Jeremy Pollock (Incumbent)
I worked closely with the Bicycle Coalition on legislation (the Employee Bike Access, Bike Parking, Unclaimed Bikes and Bike Yield ordinances) as staff to Supervisor John Avalos.
In my first term, I’ve enjoyed bringing my knowledge of the City’s legislative and political processes to the Coalition’s work. I’m excited about building our member community. In 2018, I helped organize the return of the Bike Away from Work party, and I’d love to bring back events like Love on Wheels and Tour de Fat. I’m working to create a Board Alumni program to keep our former board members involved.
But I’m not gonna lie, it’s been a challenging couple years for our board. Please see my full thoughts (beyond 150 words) on my goals for my second term to help overcome the challenges we face. I’m proud to be endorsed by SFBC Momentum, but wish we didn’t have two “competing” slates.
Preston Rhea
I am endorsed by SFBC Momentum.
I’ve been in the Bike Coalition since I moved to SF, having volunteered at Bike to Work Day and at Winterfest.
I want to share with SFBC my skills as a team manager at a local internet service provider, working with city government to bring free high-speed broadband to public housing in SF, prior experience on the board of the Community Technology Network, and enjoyment of cycling communities like SF and East Bay Bike Party. Since 2014, I also lead a weekly ride to Ocean Beach called “bike religion” — riders touch the ocean and reflect before heading to work.
I am running for the SFBC Board to:
- Advocate for member-based organizing initiatives
- Commit the SFBC to participate in mass movement organizing with marginalized communities, especially around Vision Zero
- Protect the SFBC from undue influence by car companies and corporations that profit from privatized transportation
Kelli Shields
Board recommended
I am committed to making San Francisco healthier, safer, sustainable, and more accessible through cycling. Bicycling should be safe, affordable and accessible for everyone. We can and should fight privatization of our city’s transportation infrastructure.
As a Director, I’ll work with staff and members to ensure the SFBC continues to direct the city’s transportation policy, fight climate change and diversify our membership. I will advance organizational transparency and accountability and cultivate member-led bicycle advocacy.
I’m a tenants’ rights attorney and longtime social and environmental activist, have represented organizations in nonprofit formation, governance and compliance issues, and have fundraised for environmental and social justice organizations.
I’m an active 11+ year SFBC member, volunteer, Bicycle Ambassador, regular participant in Board meetings, and daily bicyclist. I stand on unprotected bike lanes with People Protected, and was an organizer of the 2018 Bike Away from Work party.
Recommended by SFBC Momentum.
Alexandra Sweet
Board recommended
My name is Alex and I’m excited for the opportunity to serve on the SFBC Board! As a transportation planner, I have dedicated my career to planning streets that prioritize the needs of people walking and biking. I bring an expertise in bicycle planning, street design, and multimodal planning, including traffic, transit and parking projects, which gives me a unique perspective into how we plan our public spaces.
I have an unabashed enthusiasm for bicycling as the best way to travel, and am raising my toddler in a bicycle/transit-first household; she could express herself with a bike bell before she could talk.
As a board member, I’ll wholeheartedly support SFBC’s Strategic Plan, including growing a protected bike lane network and ensuring equitable access to bicycling across SF, so that people of all ages and abilities can bike safely, comfortably, and joyfully.
Join me in voting for Safety Together candidates!
Patrick Traughber
My name is Patrick and I’m running because I want biking in San Francisco to be more safe and inclusive, and to grow the Coalition. I began riding my bike to work 7 years ago, and have been an advocate for safer streets ever since. As a board member, I’ll focus on:
- Expanding our network of protected bike lanes. We made a lot of progress last year with 5 more miles of protected bike lanes, but we still have a lot more work to do.
- Bringing bike share to every neighborhood. This is why we started Our Bikes, and I will continue this advocacy as a Coalition board member.
- Supporting SFBC staff, strategic plan, and growing the organization’s inclusivity, membership, and influence.
The SF Bicycle Coalition is an incredible organization and I’m thankful for the chance to serve on the board. Please support me and the other Safety Together candidates!
Juli Uota
Board recommended
I bike because of the SF Bicycle Coalition. I’m a product of our education program beginning with the Adult Learn to Ride class. While skills were important — our supportive community brought me to the bike lane.
Now, as an Adult Learn to Ride instructor, I work to maintain and expand the green lane community. Being a bike instructor, a decade-long volunteer, an Outer-Parkside resident, and having learned to bike as an adult give me a perspective the Board needs.
I’ve been SFBC Phone Bank Coordinator for nine years and an SF resident for eighteen. SF stands at a critical point where the leadership of the Bike Coalition is needed. I want to continue to push cycling forward, for those for whom it’s an identity and those for whom it’s a simple act of transport.
Please support me and SafetyTogether for better streets and a more inclusive, diverse community.
Brad Williford
I’m running to build more protected bike lanes and an inclusive bike community. I will:
- Deliver safer streets sooner. Since being hit by a car on Howard, I’ve spoken out for safer streets and helped raise $20,000 for the Bicycle Coalition through Climate Ride and personal giving.
- Get more people biking. I launched Our Bikes and got 1,000 bikers to petition for expanded bike share. We won bike share at Golden Gate Park and increased the cap on JUMP bikes.
- Hold businesses accountable. When I saw Chariot driving in a bike lane I took action. I got Chariot to agree to become a Bicycle Coalition business member and improve driver training.
- Increase diversity in our bike community. I brought together the Safety Together board slate to promote diverse bike advocates.
I’ve delivered results and as your board member I’ll remain relentlessly focused on safety and inclusion.
Jiro Yamamoto (Incumbent)
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. Advocating for safer streets is essential to inspire more people to bike. Cycling is key to reversing climate change.
As a 21-year 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.
As a 19-year SFBC member and board incumbent, I have volunteered at countless SFBC events. I am running for a second term on the board to activate, diversify and increase our membership to move us forward. I believe “United, our collective efforts will transform the city.”
I am proud to be endorsed by SFBC Momentum.
