Chema Hernandez Gil, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Chema is a highly effective community organizer who has captained nearly all of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition’s toughest campaigns unflappable persistence. He has secured winning votes for millions of dollars of funding for high impact projects. He developed a popular Reclaimed Bicycle Program, putting refurbished bikes in to the hands of low income San Franciscans throughout the city. Thanks to his work, the City is transforming this successful pilot program in to an ongoing, City-backed program. He has developed strong relationships with diverse community groups and organizations around the city, finding ways to navigate stiff opposition with kindness and open arms. Chema has made the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition much stronger through his thoughtful hard work.

Nominated by: Kit Hodge

Nelle Pierson, Washington Area Bicyclist Association

As WABA’s outreach coordinator and former events coordinator, Nelle has designed and established the highly successful and multi-faceted Women & Bicycles program. Her new program is transforming the conversation about women and bicycling in the DC region and bringing in new riders and advocates to bicycling. New elements of the Women & Bicycles program include the a handbook with basic bike information and women-specific riding tips, the “Roll Models” outreach program in which ten leaders each mentor ten new riders, rides and workshops for skillsharing, a rapidly growing women-only Facebook group, and a weekly women’s coffee club.

Nominated by: Fionnuala Quinn

Angela M. Eikenberry, Mode Shift Omaha

Angie coordinates Mode Shift Omaha, a group of volunteer advocates working to advance active transportation. She closely follows city transportation issues, writes well researched blog posts and op-ed letters to keep community members informed, and collaborates with policymakers as a member of several regional and city transportation committees. In 2013, she coordinated a candidate questionnaire for mayor and city council candidates. Omaha is so fortunate to have her!

Nominated by: Julie Harris

Cynthia Rose, Santa Monica Spoke

As Director of Santa Monica Spoke, Cynthia has worked tirelessly to make Santa Monica a better place to bike, walk, and live – all in an upaid volunteer capacity. As a founder, she has built SM Spoke into a highly respected voice for change via numerous local and regional alliances. The organization has become a key partner for the city, credited with playing a key role in the creation of the city's Bicycle Action Plan. Cynthia has also been at the forefront of forming the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition's Local Chapter Program, of which SMSpoke is the inaugural chapter. The Local Chapter Program is key in reaching all 88 municipalities in vast Los Angeles County.

Nominated by: Damien Newton, Bryan Beretta, and Francie Stefan

Rhonda Smythe, Trailnet

As policy and advocacy manager at Trailnet, Rhonda leads all of the organization’s advocacy work in St. Louis. She brings her health and nutritional sciences background to Trailnet’s Healthy, Active, and Vibrant Communities Program, working with regional partners to promote active living and healthy nutrition in four low-income communities vulnerable to obesity. In addition to leading advocacy for safer facilities, increased funding, state legislative priorities, and connected networks, Rhonda has tirelessly led the charge to implement a Complete Streets Policy in St. Louis County. After over 9 months of writing and advocating for a policy to make all streets accessible for all users, the policy was adopted in January.

Nominated by: Brighid O’Keane

Ed France, Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition

Ed France has been at the center of the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition as the organization has evolved from an all-volunteer organization to hiring multiple staff members and seeing tremendous growth. Under his leadership, the Coalition opened BiciCentro, the first regional bike kitchen, which empowers the community to learn to fix their own bikes. Ed also oversaw Increased advocacy efforts, which led to new bike lanes and a heightened awareness of the city’s need for better bicycle accomodations. Ed is now hiring advocacy staff to work full time on our “Connecting our Community” campaign, which envisions an improved bike network to lead to 20% biking mode share.

Nominated by: Michael Chiacos

Eric Weis, East Coast Greenway Alliance

Eric's commitment to biking and walking is transforming the Eastern Seaboard, especially New England. He has devoted 15 years to developing the East Coast Greenway, a 2,900-mile urban sister of the Appalachian Trail. He is smart (knows almost every mile of the route) and fun to work with for fellow staff, volunteers, and allies. He has recently organized three New England Bike and Walk Summits that are helping the region begin to achieve its potential as a hub for ubiquitous active trips for commutes and recreation.

Nominated by: Dennis Markatos-Soriano

Mark E. Martin, Bike Baton Rouge

Mark has been an energetic, tireless advocate for bicycling in Louisiana and the region. Not only Baton Rouge but three other Louisiana cities now have effective bicycle advocacy organizations due, at least in part, to his efforts. He worked to have 3-feet passing and anti-harassment laws passed in the state. In conjunction with AARP-Louisiana, he worked to pass a Senate resolution which led a Complete Streets policy within the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD). On top of all this, Mark has been working with Front Yard Bikes to establish the first community bicycle shop in Baton Rouge history.

Nominated by: Brian Parsons

Samantha Ollinger, Bike San Diego

No one has done more to advance bike advocacy in a major California city in just a few years than Sam Ollinger, Executive Director of Bike San Diego. With her forceful, precise style, Sam has altered the transportation conversation and the direction of public policy in California's second most populous city. In 2013, Sam oversaw the passage of a progressive $312 million city bike plan update and a regional decision to front-load $200 million of bike-ped investments. Thanks in part to Sam’s influence, 2013 mayoral candidates competed with one another over who was more bike-friendly, the City of San Diego has officially embraced design guidelines for protected bike lanes, and thousands of San Diegans are informed and activated online. Sam’s work with BikeSD has challenged longstanding bike advocates to up their game, and they have responded strongly, creating additional momentum to move San Diego towards robust active transportation.

Nominated by: Walter Chambers, Chris Morfas