Kyle was President of the Coalition (2010-2018), the Rockingham County Safe Routes to School Coordinator (2015-present), and has been a member in the George Washington National Forest Stakeholder Collaborative since 2010. He is a Harrisonburg resident and 2007 graduate of James Madison University.
While my career brought me to Virginia, riding in and around Harrisonburg pulled me to the Shenandoah Valley. We’ve got it all here: world-class mountain biking on well-maintained trails; fantastic road biking through the gorgeous countryside; and communities that either are already put together with or have the potential to develop bike and pedestrian-friendly ways for getting to and from school, work, and life in general in a comfortable manner.It was apparent when I was a visitor and has been even clearer to me since I moved here in 2016 that it’s no accident that the Valley is such a great place to ride: the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) has very effectively put in the time and legwork to make this such a great place for bikes. And while it’s fantastic here in the Bike Capital, there is plenty we can do to make it even better, to bring in new riders and get more people out walking and riding and enjoying this wonderful place we have. I’m excited to be on the Coalition board and be a part of these efforts to bring the Shenandoah Valley to its full potential as a place where people can live, work, and play comfortably in the fresh air. Bikes are just a ton of fun and I want to share that with everyone. Let’s get to work!
Whether building world-class mountain bike trails, making our communities more bike-friendly, or improving access for all the residents of the Valley, I believe that we have the opportunity to continue to build the SVBC into an organization that can achieve great things. I am excited about what the future holds and grateful for all the work that has made the Shenandoah Valley a great place for bicycling.
Not long after moving to the area, I volunteered at some SVBC trail work parties and knew that this community is one I wanted to be a part of and give back to.
I moved to Virginia from Alabama in 2017. I also enjoyed being part of the cycling community in Birmingham, where I often volunteered my time leading group rides and served on the board of a local non-profit bicycle cooperative.
I’m excited to join the SVBC Board and look forward to serving the community and meeting more of its members!
Living in Portland, OR, I gained a true appreciation for a city that you can safely and efficiently bike anywhere and everywhere. It was my favorite thing about Portland. I love the work SVBC is doing. I know how large the scope of work that SVBC is involved with and how important it is and would love to help move the agenda forward.
I would like to see the SVBC platform and vision realized! I would especially love to see the bike/ped infrastructure greatly improved in Harrisonburg. It would be a dream to see Greenways connecting North to South and East to West.
About me – a few cycling highlights:
- I have enjoyed bike tours, including a 3-week tour from Philadelphia to Nova Scotia and back with five friends at age 16, and a Baltimore-Danville tour in my 20s via Skyline Drive.
- As a photojournalist, I covered the first US pro team in the Vuelta Espana.
Editor and cycling blogger for a newspaper in Westchester, NY: After a cyclist was killed by a city bus in 2009, I helped write an editorial suggesting a safe passing law be enacted. Thanks to the efforts of many, Merrill’s Law went into effect a year later, making New York riders safer.
- LCI Certified Instructor
- Currently helping to organize Bike Kitchens and lead rides in Staunton and Waynesboro: Bikebox of the Blueridge
Please fill out a Letter of Intent to let us know you are interested.
When are the elections?
Our board elections are typically held in March of every year.
Who can vote?
Any current SVBC member 12 years or older.
How many Board Members will be elected?
The SVBC board consists of 11 members. The terms are three years. Each board member is limited to three consecutive terms with no limit on the total number of terms.
Board Members Eligibility
Must be an active member of SVBC in good standing. Good standing is defined as projecting a positive image, conducting oneself in a professional manner, respecting the rights of other directors, staff and members to express their ideas and communicating with honesty and respect.
Must agree to uphold the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the organization.
All Directors are elected to represent the membership as a whole and not the interest of a particular constituency.
Directors cannot own, run or be employed in a business that is in direct competition with this organization.
Time Commitment Required
The Board of Directors meets every month for an average of 2 hours per meeting. Committees of the SVBC meet three to six times a year, depending on the committee. Directors are expected to attend an annual board retreat, of one day in length. Board members are encouraged to attend the monthly membership social which typically immediately follows the monthly board meeting.
