Statements from Candidates for the Board of Directors

Maureen Gaffney (incumbent)
Vince O’Brien (incumbent)
Alexander Price (incumbent)
Tom Woolley (incumbent)
James Bogin
Celia Graterol
Matt Adams
Chris Lang
Gerry Coles

Maureen Gaffney (Incumbent)

I was elected to the MCBC Board in April, 2006 and have enjoyed helping to shape the efforts of one of the most successful bicycle advocacy groups in the nation. I have served on two Board subcommittees--the Advocacy Committee and the Spoke Society Committee. I bring experience with local, regional, state and federal government in the environmental, transportation and recreation field. I received a degree in environmental policy from UC Berkeley in 1997 and joined the environmental planning department at the Port of Oakland where much of my work focused on public access to the shoreline in a difficult industrial area.

In 2001, I moved east and became the Boston Harbor Regional Coordinator for the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, again working on shoreline public access issues. I returned to the Bay Area in 2003 and am currently employed by the Association of Bay Area Governments working as a planner for the San Francisco Bay Trail Project, a planned 500-mile walking/cycling/multi-use pathway around the entire San Francisco Bay.

I am an occasional bike commuter and avid mountain bike and road cycling enthusiast. I compete on the amateur mountain bike circuit and participate in several local organized road cycling events. I am certain that current and future investments made in non-motorized transportation in Marin County can bring about a robust transportation network that provides real alternatives to further jaw-grinding gridlock. I wish to continue to work towards this goal by serving another term on the MCBC Board.

Vince O’Brien (Incumbent)

I am a recreational cyclist who is very committed to improving conditions for all pedestrians and cyclists. I’ve met with DPW engineers to sensitize them to better bicycle design. Along with staff, I’ve also met with real estate developers to make their developments more bicycle-friendly. While my efforts on behalf of the MCBC have been focused on infrastructure, I am also interested in access and safety issues. Finally, I am also on the Board of the California Bicycle Coalition working in Sacramento on bicycle legislation.

I have been a Board member since 2002 and am proud and excited by how successful the MCBC has been. And we’ve only just begun. In the next few years we will see a lot of projects initiated or advocated by MCBC completed. And there are more projects after that. I would very much like to contribute to those projects and would appreciate your vote.

Alexander Price (Incumbent)

Cycling is a passion of mine and has a lot to offer the community of Marin. From the days I commuted 10 miles to high school to my present morning commute to the Larkspur ferry I have always relied on my bicycle for both recreation and transportation. As a new parent and a high school Mtn Bike coach am constantly instilling the benefits of non-motorized transportation to a younger generation. With your support for a second term I hope to continue MCBC’s mission and continue to establish Marin County as an example for other communities nationwide.

As a director of technology and small business owner I bring long term vision, attention to detail and business acumen to the board. I have a passion for doing what is right and overcoming obstacles. As MCBC grows so do our opportunities and challenges. We need a board that can help make progress happen while not forgetting the day-to-day needs of our community. I have enjoyed undertaking this responsibility and partnering with the existing talent on the board. Please help me continue to help the MCBC realize our mission "to promote safe bicycling for everyday transportation and recreation." Thank you for your support.

Tom Woolley (Incumbent)

It has been my honor to serve on the Board of Directors of Marin County Bicycle Coalition for the past 18 months and I respectfully request the support of Coalition members in serving a second term. I bring to the board a strong personal belief in integrating bicycle transportation into the American way of life. I believe that safe, accessible bicycle routes supported by sensible bicycling infrastructure in our county will improve the quality of life for Marin County residents through reduced road congestion, healthful lifestyles and a strong sense of community.

As a board member, I am able to contribute to MCBC’s success by directing my passion for cycling, leveraging my experience as a professional investment advisor to nonprofit institutions and engaging my network of community contacts built from over 15 years of residence in Marin. As a member of the Finance Committee of the board, I will continue to help make MCBC financially sustainable for future generations. As a founding member of a Marin-based master bicycle racing team and member of the organizing committee of a successful Northern California charity ride, I bring a breadth of experience with cycling programs that will help lead MCBC in its second decade as a model bicycle coalition for America.

I am grateful for your support and am honored to serve the members of MCBC for a second term on your Board of Directors.

James Bogin

I moved to Marin in 1996 and over the past several years I have been cycling more and more in Marin alone and with my family, both on road and mountain bikes. I have come to realize that there is quite a bit which needs to be done to promote biking and the MCBC further, and I would like to be more involved The MCBC can be more of an integral part in the lives of all local cyclists.

Our county has received a large federal grant to increase bicycle. As a professional money manager I have experience studying money allocation. I would like to see more bike routes, and improved infrastructure such as the tunnels. The new bicycle lanes in Sausalito are wonderful. I work in Sausalito and watch the tourists drive by all day long. The Mill Valley path could be better and the Highway 101 crossing less dangerous.

I have been a Course Marshall for the Tour de California in Sausalito twice, I worked the MCBC's annual party during registration, and am on the board of the Japan Society. My family now incorporates cycling into every vacation, and we have cycled in Holland and France, Montreal, Florida, and Kyoto. We are doing more and more exploring by bike. I enjoy cycling more and more.

Professionally, I am the President of Legend Capital Management, LLC, and lived in Tokyo 9 years before moving here. I received my B.A. from Harvard College and an MBA from The American Graduate School of International Management.

Celia Graterol

I fell in love with biking when I started riding to work at SFSU in 2000. It was a great way to get in shape and enjoy the gorgeous and safe commute via Golden Gate Bridge, Presidio, Great Highway and Lake Merced. I had to start my bike commute from the GGB because riding from Mill Valley to the GGB wasn’t as safe as the San Francisco portion of the route. As well, when I started working in San Rafael, to make my bike commute safe, I had to come up with alternative steep streets that made it harder and longer. I believe Marin can do better for the safety of bikers and pedestrians.

I also fell in love with mountain biking and race in the expert category. In 2006, I was thrilled when I won the Downhill US National Championship for women over 40.

I volunteered as an advisory committee member of the Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program. NTPP was part of a federal transportation bill allocating $25 million to four counties in the US for the purpose of constructing infrastructure and creating educational programs to increase bicycling and walking and reduce vehicle usage. Thanks mainly to MCBC advocacy efforts Marin was one of the selected communities.

I believe in MCBC’s work to increase the safety of bike and pedestrian routes, and to promote biking and walking in Marin. Being a board member for this organization will provide me with more opportunities to make a difference in Marin County.

Matt Adams

I am running for the MCBC board because I believe in cycling as a sport, recreational activity, and transportation alternative. I have participated in cycling for over twenty years. I grew up in San Rafael, rode my bike to school, and raced throughout college. These days, I ride for fun and transportation.

As an owner of Mike’s Bikes, I feel I am uniquely positioned to help the MCBC achieve its goal of 20% of trips in Marin taken by bike. The skills I use everyday in running our successful company suit me well for the challenges of this position. My understanding of people along with my leadership skills and teaching ability will make me an effective board member. I understand cyclists because I work with them everyday. With Mike’s, I have created many lasting relationships with local cycling groups and event organizers. Also, within the bike industry I have influence over the companies with whom I work closely.

My goal as a member of the board is to make an immediate impact by focusing on the most important projects. I feel the North/South Greenway and the Pilot Program have the most potential for tangible results. Marin has an incredible bike culture. It is perfectly positioned to be a model of bike transportation and if cycling were made a little bit easier, the MCBC’s 20% goal would be easily attainable. I understand the problems, mainly that cycling needs to be safer and more convenient, and I will help bring about solutions.

Chris Lang

Bicycle promotion is a large part of my life. In my efforts to help the MCBC, I have noticed that it would be helpful in my lobbying efforts if I was an officer of our group. This is one of the reasons I worked especially hard in 2007, to show that I was willing and able to get the job done. I respectfully ask for your vote so that I may re-join our leadership team in order to work more effectively towards our common goal. The following is a brief list of my efforts, for more information, please feel free to call me at 457-8687. Thank you for your consideration. May: Co-creator and Director Fairfax Fat Tire Festival. May: Team Leader MCBC Tunnel Float, Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade. June: Lead Scheduler and Supervisor, Fairfax Festival MCBC Bike Parking (2 days). July: Team leader MCBC Tunnel Float Twin Cities Fourth of July Parade. Sept: Nominator of Deb Hubsmith as Community Leader of the Year, Spirit of Marin ( Fairfax Chamber of Commerce). Oct: Creator and Director San Anselmo Kids Bike Race #5. Oct: Lead lobbyist, California Traffic Control Device Committee, (with Hubsmith to gain approval of San Francisco application for dashed, colored bike lanes). Nov: Cleanup volunteer MCBC Big Bike Bash. Nov: Creator and Director of the Alan Goldman-Craig Tasley Memorial Party (after 32 nd annual ‘Appetite Seminar’). Dec: Member Fairfax Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Endorsed by Patrick Seidler, President, Transportation Alternatives for Marin.

Gerry Coles

If you want bike paths from East Marin connected to West Marin’s huge Federal and State parks and small nearby towns where few exist now - vote for Gerry

Problem: Nothing of the $20M Marin County gets from Federal Legislation Act Sec.1807 is budgeted for any bike or pedestrian paths in West Marin (WM). Of Marin’s 45 programs none benefit WM’s “recreation areas” that host 4,000,000 recreating visitors annually. Three other areas received this same $20M grant. Two are cities; the other is mostly agricultural. Marin County has: an urban Eastside; a rural Westside with open space, parks and agriculture; and a Hardside that denies WM new facilities to benefit bicyclists.

Solution: Marin County designates $4M (just 20%) of its $20M for WM: $2M helps reopen WM’s Gallagher ARROW (abandoned railroad right-of-way) between Sam Taylor Park and Point Reyes Station; and $2M for other worthy bike path projects.

Gerry organized a Critical Mass effort in 1969 that helped convert Tiburon’s ARROW into a Bike Path. 1982 until now he’s promoted reopening an ARROW near Tomales Bay that the Feds won’t let happen. Over a decade ago he lobbied the MCBC and Congress to reopen the Gallagher ARROW, but still it’s a neglected dream. Contact gerry@mermaidhill.com to participate in peaceful Critical Mass bicycling events along the public road near this 12 mile long ARROW. Citizens demonstrating together toward a common objective may get it opened sooner (2012?) than it might ordinarily take (2025?).

All bicyclists benefit when WM becomes bicycle friendly.