UPDATE: Watch the recording of the candidates’ statements at our annual board meeting.

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 Jan 22, 2024 and ends Jan 31, 2024 at 9:59 pm PST.
• Members will each receive an individual e-mail on Jan 22 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.
• Opportunities to meet and hear from candidates will be available at our Annual Member Meeting on Jan 18.
• Only current SF Bicycle Coalition members as of Friday, Jan 12, 2024 at 11:59 pm PST may cast a ballot.
• Results will be announced in the Biker Bulletin email and on our website.
• 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 2025 board elections. A full timeline and detailed description of the process can be found here.

This will be our sixth 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.

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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. 

All candidates participated in the board interview process.

MATT BIGGAR

he/him

I’m a 20-year resident of San Francisco. I have been involved with fundraising, strategic planning, and advocacy for the Bike Coalition. My teenage son and I have raised over $20,000 for the Coalition and Walk SF through Climate Rides. I work as an independent consultant supporting nonprofits, government, and collaboratives with meeting facilitation and strategy. I facilitated the planning process for the Coalition’s 2018-22 Strategic Plan and have supported Safe Routes to School partnerships. I’ve conducted multiple published studies on transportation and public space, including an analysis of how the JFK Promenade was saved. I hope to support the coalition with my knowledge of organizational strategy, finance, and partnerships and how to make cities like San Francisco thrive with active transportation. I love San Francisco, biking, and working with others. I’m committed to helping the Coalition fulfill our mission of transforming streets into safe, bikeable spaces across San Francisco.

GARRETT BRINKER

he/him

Biking, to me, transcends mere transportation. I’ve never owned a car, and so biking has enabled me to more intimately experience my community. It is how I explore both familiar and unfamiliar places in San Francisco and elsewhere, and is a powerful way to solve our most pressing issues – from climate change to more livable cities.

By day, I’m a Director of Partnerships at Via, working with transit agencies (including SFMTA) to build more convenient and equitable transportation systems. I’ve also been involved in many community volunteer roles, including: democratic political organizations, housing & transit advocacy groups, fundraising organizations, and the Alumni Board of my graduate school at Georgetown. 

As a Board member, I hope to bring my experience and passion to fight for safer, more equitable streets – and to ensure that our city can become a more joyous, just, and livable place. I would be honored to have your vote!

IKE KHURGEL

they/them

Hi, I’m Ike. And I love to bike. From point A to point B, to no point whatsoever – commuting, exercise, errands, fun – I love it all. I work at a bike shop, and it’s the best job of all time. Before, I used to work in Sustainable Finance (which was less fun, but demonstrates core competencies I believe would be useful to this role, namely: strategic planning, project management, stakeholder engagement, and of course, sustainable finance). I’m running for the SFBC Board because I want to support bicycle advocacy efforts in San Francisco, my home. I’ve lived in very bike-friendly cities in the past (Amsterdam being a shining example) and want to elevate a bike-friendly community – from getting more people on bikes, to improving infrastructure. If elected, I aim to support an organizational strategy aligned with member expectations, with a particular focus on effective, pragmatic, real-world impact. Thanks for reading! 

It would be an honor to serve on the board and be able to support the work of everyone in the coalition to the best of my abilities.

WILLIAM MEE

he/him

Will here! I’m a long-time member and volunteer of the SF Bike Coalition and an even longer-time cyclist: I’ve cycled for both sport and daily commuting throughout my adult life. Off a bicycle I engage further with the city: trail maintenance in the Sutro hills, serving meals at St Anthonys in the Tenderloin and fostering kittens (those both cute and with ringworm). I’m giving up work on the board of the San Francisco LGBT swim team to apply for the SF Bike Coalition board because I’m a huge beneficiary of the cycling advocacy the Coalition does and want to take my engagement to the next level. Outside “my work is bike” and being a volunteer, I’m an engineer who’s doing a part-time MBA.

MICHAEL NGUYEN

he/him

My name is Michael and I am running to offer the Coalition and its Board my passion for biking combined with nonprofit experience. 

From commuting to bikepacking and competitive racing, biking has become a significant part of my identity and I am now seeking to expand this passion into forms of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy and stewardship.

I’ve volunteered with the Coalition in the past regularly in their workshop and in the office on volunteer nights. After a career transition, I am returning to the Coalition to continue volunteering and to provide strategic insights as the organization navigates this inflection point to recruit an Executive Director, define their vision, and facilitate a strong membership and fundraising strategy. 

My background in nonprofit organizations, which includes finance/accounting and strategic advisory, aligns with these goals. It would be an honor to leverage these skills to contribute to the organization’s growth and success.

RYAN PATTERSON (incumbent)

he/him

One of the first things I did when I moved here in 2011 was take a Bicycle Coalition urban cycling class. It gave me the confidence to ride on Market Street and pride to join this cycling community. I’m an avid bicycle commuter and an advocate for bike safety and increased ridership. I believe education, infrastructure, and community are key to achieving these goals, and that biking can make a vital contribution to public health, the environment, and a vibrant city. In addition to serving on the Bicycle Coalition’s Board of Directors, I have served on a number of other nonprofit boards. From these experiences, and my experience as a small business owner and land use attorney, I strive to bring practical skills to the Board to help with planning and
execution, especially on the Finance Committee. It would be an honor to continue serving for the next two years.

BRANDON POWELL (incumbent)

he/him

I am a lifelong cyclist, and some of my earliest memories are of riding with my father and brother. In the years since then, I have used a bicycle to commute, to compete, to exercise, to deliver pizzas, and to escape. Whether clipped in and wearing lycra or on flat pedals wearing business casual, my bicycle has been an instrument of freedom and joy.

I am currently on the SF Bike board and represent District 9 on the San Francisco Bicycle Advisory Committee. I am also a member of the Major Taylor Bay Area cycling club and have co-led our club’s annual Juneteenth community rides in Oakland.

SF Bike can transform our city through strong advocacy which demands progress—and accountability—from our government; programs which grow the number of people who use bicycles; and collaboration with organizations and individuals who share our vision.

We who live and work in San Francisco are entitled to safe streets, public spaces, and infrastructure which give priority to people and human-scaled mobility.

EMILY STEINGLASS

she/her

I’m honored to run for the SF Bike Coalition board. Biking has been a lifelong passion of mine, but after three knee surgeries, it’s taken on a deeper meaning for me, as a form of therapy for both my mind and body. I am now a proud triathlete. 

I’ve shared this passion by teaching friends that it’s never too late to learn how to ride a bike. Now, I’m eager to become more involved with the SFBC.

As a Senior Business Operations Analyst for the Autodesk Education team, I advocate for students and schools ensuring the next generation has the skills to design and make a better world. In my role, I build meaningful relationships by actively listening to understand the needs and goals of others. I am also an agile problem solver who helps drive collaborative solutions.  

If elected, I’ll leverage these same skills to advocate for the community, striving to create safer streets for all San Franciscans.

CHRISTINE P. SUN

she/her

Bicycling almost always puts me in a better mood. Whether it’s cycling the hills of Marin on my road bike, or riding the streets of SF with my son on our cargo bike, I feel a sense of autonomy and respect for our community and nature that I never experience in a car.  

It’s that passion for bicycling that I would hope to ignite and support as a Board member for the Bicycle Coalition. I believe strongly in the mission of the Coalition, and have experienced first hand the incredible progress that it has helped achieve in making our City’s streets safer for cyclists, pedestrians, and families. And of course, there’s always more to be done. I’ve spent most of my career as an advocate for civil rights – including as the former Legal and Policy Director for the ACLU of Northern California – and would seek to contribute those skills to support the work of the Coalition. 

In addition to my advocacy skills, I have also previously served on the Board (and Executive Committee) of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, and been an active volunteer for SF New Deal and my son’s SFUSD elementary school. It would be an honor to be considered for the Board. Thank you! 

Last month, the SF Bicycle Coalition kicked off the holiday season in partnership with St. Anthony’s for their annual Giving Thanks on the Golden Gate event. We raffled off 40+ bikes and hosted free bicycle education classes and mechanic services on the Golden Gate Greenway in the Tenderloin. 

This past year, our Bike It Forward program has hosted four free bicycle repair pop ups to the Greenway to get people back on their bikes who otherwise would not have been able to afford a proper tune up. Activations like this, plus our programming at Giving Thanks on the Golden Gate, would not have been possible without the Greenway. We’re excited to bring even more programming to the Tenderloin in the future. 

The Golden Gate Greenway is the block of Golden Gate Avenue between Leavenworth Street and Jones Street that is closed to vehicular traffic everyday from six in the morning to six in the afternoon. Created during the pandemic, the Greenway is used by organizations on the 100 block of Golden Gate Ave to provide important direct services and resources to those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the densest neighborhood in the city, the Greenway provides public space for residents who don’t have many other options. 

“The street closure has also helped us to do some extraordinary things during an extraordinary year: things like COVID-19 pop-up testing; outdoor voter registration; distributing essential supplies like hand sanitizer and face coverings; drumming circles; a street mural; and hosting Play Streets events for children.” – The Golden Gate Greenway coalition, 2021

In 2020, we spoke vocally about the need to bring programs like Slow Streets and Car-Free spaces to neighborhoods like the Tenderloin. We know most of the streets in the Tenderloin and in equity-priority communities fall on the City’s High-Injury Network and that these communities would benefit the most from programs like Slow Streets and car-free spaces. 

The Golden Gate Greenway is a vibrant community gem and resource to the Tenderloin neighborhood. Every year, the Greenway has to reapply for permits to keep the partial road closure and we need your help to turn this into a permanent space forever. By supporting the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Education Fund with a tax-deductible donation this December, you can help support these crucial partnerships and programs in the new year.

DONATE TODAY

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is proud to have a very active and professional all-volunteer Board of Directors as stewards of our organization and work.

Directors are elected by members to serve a two-year term, and in January, members will be voting to elect eight directors for the board. San Francisco Bicycle Coalition members may nominate themselves or another member as a candidate for the Board of Directors. Interested candidates should review the following:

• Candidate Handbook
• Candidate Questionnaire
• Preview of Questionnaire

Here’s the schedule for the 2024 San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Board elections:

Fall/winter 2023: Board promotes the election amongst members and encourages members to declare their interest.

January 2, 2024: Deadline for interested candidates to submit the online candidate questionnaire and submit resume to boardnomination@sfbike.org.

January 3-12, 2024: Current Board Directors review candidate questionnaires and interview candidates.

January 12, 2024: Membership eligibility deadline: January 12, 2024 at 11:59 pm PST. You must be a member by this date to vote or run in the election.

January 12, 2024: Candidates must officially declare their intent to run by submitting the following to boardnomination@sfbike.org before this deadline:

• Candidate photo
• 150-word statement

Week of January 15, 2024: Staff meets with candidates to review the election process. 

January 18, 2024: Candidates may deliver a 2-minute speech during the Annual Member Meeting. Candidates will also have the opportunity to connect with members in-person. Speeches will be recorded for later viewing.

January 22, 2024: Voting starts. Members will have a chance to vote online throughout the election period. Candidates’ 150-word statements are published in the SF Bicycle Coalition newsletter.

January 31, 2024: Voting ends at 9:59 pm PST.

February 1-2, 2024: Election results are communicated to each candidate.

Week of February 5, 2024: Election results are announced in the SF Bicycle Coalition newsletter.

February 10, 2024: Board of Directors participate in an all-day retreat.

February 27, 2024: Board of Directors meeting is held. 

Questions? Email boardnomination@sfbike.org.

After almost a decade with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Janelle Wong will be stepping down as executive director. Janelle has played a critical role in advancing your San Francisco Bicycle Coalition’s mission of promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation, and we are so grateful for her long tenure and tireless activism. 

Janelle’s leadership has left an incredible mark on our organization. Her unwavering commitment to transportation justice has touched numerous communities across San Francisco, from the Bayview to the Sunset. Many members know Janelle as an approachable and kind leader who is always ready to roll up her sleeves and incite needed change. Under Janelle’s leadership, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has helped secure important wins such as JFK Promenade, Bayshore Boulevard Quick Build, and a permanent Slow Streets Network. 

“When I started bike commuting in the city, I happened upon this organization whose members advocated for a bike lane on 7th Avenue,” Janelle recalled. “That bike lane allowed me to commute downtown from my house after the birth of my first child. That’s the year I became a member of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, and I have been committed to making safer streets for people biking in San Francisco ever since.”

Our board of directors has selected Deputy Director Christopher White to act as interim executive director while they work to find a new leader for the organization.

“Janelle has been a committed and tireless advocate for making our city an inclusive and safe space to ride,” said Board President Marie Jonas. “The work of transforming our streets and neighborhoods is ongoing. We will be searching for an executive director who can lead our organization through this new chapter, including a refresh of our strategic plan.”

Janelle will continue to support the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition through the end of the year, and members can join us in celebrating her tenure at this year’s Winterfest. 

We thank our members and broader community for your continued support during this time of change. Our important work must continue at full speed while we look for a new executive director. To help us navigate through the next few months, we hope you will consider making a donation, becoming a member, or renewing your membership.

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is transforming our streets and neighborhoods into safe, just, and livable places by promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation. We’re seeking a passionate, highly motivated Volunteer and Membership Coordinator with a commitment to transportation justice to lead our volunteer program and to help grow membership engagement. 

The Volunteer and Membership Coordinator recruits, organizes, and oversees all volunteer logistics while providing programmatic support, event planning assistance, and on-site membership recruitment. The Volunteer and Membership Coordinator also oversees the recruitment and retention of the organization’s members through data-driven strategies and fundraising opportunities. They serve as the primary receptionist at our office, assist with accounts and member services, and maintain a wide knowledge of the organization’s work across all departments. This is an amazing opportunity to get to know people who are making our city a healthier place that’s more welcoming and enjoyable for people biking.

APPLY HERE

Primary areas of responsibility:

Volunteer and Outreach

• Recruit, train, and organize volunteers and interns for all aspects of SF Bicycle Coalition events and programs, including for Bike to Wherever Day, Winterfest, and Bicycle Ambassador events;
• Recruit and manage daytime membership volunteers who assist with membership support tasks;
• Coordinate and execute outreach event logistics including the transportation, setup, and breakdown of event equipment;
• Maintain volunteer retention through appreciation, including but not limited to planning and executing an annual Volunteer Appreciation party;
• Manage Intern Cohort program: assist all staff in recruiting, hiring, and managing interns on a semester basis; grow and develop intern cohort program, offering professional development opportunities for interns; budget and maintain payroll for all interns; 
• Use Salesforce to track volunteer hours, recruit and thank volunteers;
• Host regularly scheduled Volunteer Nights, one or more nights a month;
• Manage consistent volunteer communications through the Volunteer Newsletter; and
• Integrate volunteer best practices via staff training, intern cohort management, documenting, tracking, and leadership.

Membership 

• Connect members and the broader community with our mission, vision, and ways to get involved with our work, with emphasis on our core values of Transportation Justice, Sustainability, People Power and Joy;
• Triage constituent services, responding to mail, phone, email, and in-person inquiries;
• Manage member services, including bike box and bike trailer rentals, membership renewals and account updates, and maintaining inventory of all membership-related products;
• Manage membership fulfillment processes, executing one to two times a week;
• Manage membership renewal letter processes, executing two times a month;
• Manage business and corporate partner relationships through the execution of in-person fairs and events; 
• Manage walk-in payment for membership and store purchases, as well as special donations;
• Manage SF Bicycle Coalition merchandise, including inventory, new product design, online and in-person sales, and shipping and handling;
• Develop novel strategies aimed at increasing membership engagement especially in under-served communities, and growing and diversifying membership to better reflect the communities we serve; and
• Apply an intersectional approach to the organization’s ongoing anti-racism work

Strong candidates will possess as many of the following qualifications as possible:

• A deep commitment to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition’s mission;
• Interest in and passion for transportation justice, equity, and anti-racism;
• Strong organizational, multi-tasking and time management skills;
• Experience with databases or CRM systems (experience in Salesforce a plus);
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a wide variety of audiences;
• Excellent interpersonal and relational skills;
• An ability to work individually and as part of a team;
• Experience leading groups or individuals;
• Demonstrated track record of successful volunteer management and project planning;
• Commitment to and/or interest in the nonprofit sector;
• Fluency in languages other than English, specifically Spanish, Cantonese, or Tagalog;
• Ability to ride a bike comfortably in an urban environment; 
• Possess a valid California’s driver license;
• Experience successfully coordinating projects with multiple stakeholders;
• Experience recruiting and managing diverse groups of volunteers;
• Ability to work nights and weekends;
• Desire and ability to implement systems that will allow your work to scale quickly and significantly reach significantly more people;
• Positive attitude, enjoyment and comfort in working with diverse communities; and
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work history.

Reports to: Membership Engagement Manager

Salary and Benefits: The annual salary for this exempt position is $60,000 – $65,000, depending upon relevancy of experience. Full-time benefits include medical, vision and dental insurance.

Hours: Full-time, exempt. This position includes night and weekend work; depending on the season, approximately three to seven nights per month and one to three weekend days per month.

Location: Hybrid — San Francisco Bay Area. Staff and their supervisors will work together to determine the appropriate work arrangement based on the nature of the individual’s role, and in alignment with organizational policies and departmental needs and activities. We strive to be as flexible and fair as possible while ensuring in-person accessibility when needed to interface with our volunteers, membership, community, and each other.

APPLY HERE

About the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition works to transform San Francisco’s streets and neighborhoods into safe, just and livable places by promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation. Our work is guided by our four-year strategic plan and the core values of Transportation Justice, Sustainability, People Power and Joy. The organization’s culture reflects its grassroots origins and professional advocacy in equal measures. Our active membership represents San Franciscans of all ages and backgrounds from all neighborhoods who are working towards safe, sustainable and more affordable ways to move around our city. The SF Bicycle Coalition is the largest city-based bicycle advocacy group in the nation and one of the largest member-driven groups in San Francisco.

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is an equal opportunity employer.

To apply, please submit a resume and a cover letter which answers the following questions:

1. What makes you excited to work at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition?
2. Describe a specific program or project that you managed, including your full scope of responsibility. How did you measure success and what lessons did you learn? 
3. What does transportation justice mean to you and how do you see it fitting into your career?