Meet the 2024 Bike Champions of the Year
Congratulations to our outstanding awardees! From community advocates to literal life-savers, this is a truly extraordinary group of bike champions. Read on to meet the awardees from each of the nine Bay Area counties.
Anthony Propernick,
Alameda County
Bike East Bay is thrilled to spotlight the efforts of librarian and community activist Anthony Propernick. Originally from East Los Angeles, Propernick has been a fixture in Oakland for more than two decades, where he is known for his advocacy work at the 81st Ave Branch of the Oakland Public Library.
Nominated for the BCOY award by his colleagues Isaiah Hurtado and Jason Wilkinson, Anthony has been collaborating with Jason at the 81st Ave Library since 2012. They started fixing bike flats together in May of 2013 when they hosted a bike repair workshop during Bike Month. They share a passion and a skill for working with youth. With support from Jason, Manny, Chris and RB, Anthony spearheads the Bike Fix and Father Circle at the library, which connects cyclists and fathers to library resources.
With a biking journey spanning five decades, Anthony's connection to bikes began in the mid-1970s with a blue Mongoose boasting yellow Motomag wheels. His favorite part of riding a bike is the mental and physical health benefits it gives him, while also being one less car on the road. He loves being part of the biking community and how biking can exist throughout one’s life as a common thread connecting childhood and adulthood. He reflects, “I remember being a kid when I ride my bike as an adult.”
Anthony’s passion lies in helping people fix their bikes or getting them a bike and encouraging them to ride, exemplified by initiatives like the Bike Fix, the Bike Library Lounge, and the East Oakland Engagement Team, which brings library resources directly to the community via bicycle. Anthony has helped forge relationships and build a supportive biking community in East Oakland. His dream is to see more accessible and safe biking routes in the area. He notes “I’ve ridden all over the East Bay and the lack of biking infrastructure and safe and pleasant routes in East Oakland needs to be addressed.”
On being named as the Alameda County Bike Champion of the Year, Anthony says "I'm excited because it means the work is valued” and ”I’m happy to lift the work and raise awareness on the disparities in bike infrastructure and bike repair that East Oakland residents endure. Changing that for the better is what I’m excited about.”
Anthony and Bike East Bay invite everyone to join the Bike Fix sessions—still held every Friday at the 81st Ave Library—a testament to a shared commitment to fostering a biking culture in East Oakland.
Bruce “Ole” Ohlson,
Contra Costa County
If you’ve ever been to a public meeting in Central or East Contra Costa County that pertained to a bicycle issue, then you’ve probably seen this year’s Contra Costa Bicycle Champion of the Year – “Mr. Bicycle” himself, Bruce “Ole” Ohlson. The Pittsburg, CA native has had a lifelong passion for bicycling that has seen him organizing a 20,000 mile, around-the-world group ride (which included bicycling across the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia), and bicycling the perimeter of the United States and Australia, among many, many other rides. In total, he estimates that he has spent over 8 years, on and off, touring the world on his bicycle and on foot.
His bicycling hobby led the way to his other hobby, attending public meetings and advocating for bicycle accommodations. After receiving encouragement by former Bike East Bay Executive Director (and now BART Director) Robert Raburn in 1999 to attend local meetings, Ole started to become a regular mainstay in city council chambers around Brentwood, Oakley, Concord, Pittsburg and other Contra Costa cities to promote bicycling and make sure that accommodations were being considered in plans and construction projects.
One such project is the recent opening of the Mokelumne Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing project in Brentwood, which connected a large trail gap over Highway 4. Originally planned as an environmental impact mitigation from building the highway in the early 2000s, Ole remained steady with nearly two decades of advocacy, reminding decision-makers of their obligation to build the overcrossing. Finally, earlier this year, the project, led by Contra Costa Transportation Authority, finished construction and opened to the public.
With that project completed, Ole is now working with decision-makers to close a gap between two major trails in central Contra Costa that are separated by the I-680/SR 4 interchange. A former Pittsburg Planning Commissioner, Ole currently serves on the Contra Costa County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Countywide Bicycle Advisory Committee, and the Caltrans District 4 Bicycle Advisory Committee. He also volunteers with Delta Pedalers Bicycle Club and Bike East Bay. Anyone working in the bicycle world in Contra Costa knows that just as he never tired from his long, arduous bike rides, Ole will never tire from showing up and speaking up for bicycles in his community. Congratulations, Ole!
George Osner,
Marin County
Biking is a central part of George's life, contributing significantly to his fitness and well-being. He received his first bike on his 8th birthday, and nearly 70 years later, George still enjoys the same joy and freedom in cycling. We are delighted to name him Marin's Bike Champion of the Year and have him represent our vibrant bike community.
For many years, biking was primarily a means of commuting. Early in his career, he worked in City Planning in Modesto, where he played a key role in designing and implementing a comprehensive bike plan and network of routes for the city. This experience taught him how to handle "unexpected opposition" and to approach challenges with creativity.
Later in his career, George served as coordinator of Stanislaus County's Bike to Work Day, where he worked closely with colleagues from various agencies and representatives to build and maintain a robust cycling program.
George's passion for using biking as a force for good led him to participate in the California AIDS Ride during the early days of the AIDS epidemic. This was his way of honoring a friend and colleague who had AIDS, and also marked the beginning of a new era for George, recreational and long-distance riding.
George continues to embrace the joy and freedom of biking. He rides several times a week with various groups in Marin, including the Old Spokes, Mariners' Cove group, and Terry’s Gang out of Larkspur Bike Shop, which allows him to stay active and engaged with like-minded enthusiasts.
By promoting Marin County's extensive network of bike paths, George supports safe and accessible cycling for all. He uses biking not only for personal recreation but also for everyday tasks and errands. His commitment to cycling extends beyond personal enjoyment to advocacy and mentorship within the local biking community.
In addition to his passion for biking, George is an accomplished photographer. He brings his camera on rides to capture the beauty of nature, and candid moments with fellow cyclists. His photography skills are put to good use in supporting Marin County Bicycle Coalition and the Marin Museum of Bicycling, where he contributes event photography to promote our missions and document events. Through these efforts, George continues to strengthen his ties with the local biking scene while also preserving its legacy through his lens.
A friend of George praised his leadership, saying, "For the past 8 years, he has led, organized, and motivated the Old Spokes Bike group's weekly ride. George exemplifies everything that biking stands for and serves as a role model and advocate for Marin's biking culture."
Aziza Ali and Trevor Hall
Napa County
Aziza Ali became passionate about road biking in 2013 when she started working at SeaWorld in Orlando where her team did a 40-mile charity ride every year. She shares, “Since then I’ve bought two road bikes, shipped one to Hawaii when I moved there, and enjoyed my clip in pedals!” She likes “being outdoors and getting to know my city better and more intimately than I could in a car,” and one of her goals for the future is to “live off of a bike trail so I can make [riding] a more routine part of my lifestyle.”
Aziza has called Napa home for three years, and she is a member of several Black Girls Do Bike clubs across the country. She says, “It’s important to me that my community of Black women have access and information to make their cycling routines come to life. I host a group ride the second Saturday of every month, and I love to grab a friend or a brother and do a triathlon or charity ride somewhere around the US.”
Those who join her group rides speak glowingly of Aziza and the way she encourages them. One rider commented, “She tirelessly advocates for women of color to come out to Napa with their bikes and ride the city's excellent infrastructure. Aziza supports new riders in helping them better understand their bikes by showing them how to change gears, helping with tire changes on rides, and giving lessons on how to use clip-less bike pedals. Without her consistency and dedication, our chapter of Black Girls Do Bike wouldn't be half as active or successful as it is.”
Another rider and one of her nominators noted her “positive, uplifting energy” and that she is “inclusive in her leadership style and always smiling!”
Yet another commented, “[Aziza’s] commitment to encouraging women of color to ride is wonderful. Our rides are always enjoyable and filled with laughter, fun and food! Even though we are a small group, it is the consistency that helps to encourage us to show up and ride!”
What advice would Aziza give someone who is new to biking? “Join a group to build some community and get to know the trails in your area! It’s so much fun AND safe as you learn the etiquette, rules of the road, and gears.”
When Trevor Hall is not busy serving as a peace officer in neighboring Marin County, he dedicates his time to riding and encouraging others to ride. Trevor is a coach for the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team, where he helps his own daughters, along with area youth, learn to ride off-road and improve their cycling skills and confidence. He notes, “Coaching my children and getting [youth] involved in cycling is something that I hope will pay them positive dividends in the many years to come.”
In support of youth riding, Trevor also serves as the cycling team’s Advocacy Lead, and this past year he spent much of his personal time advocating for increased access to beginner off-road riding. He recognized that Napa needed an approachable, beginner trail system where youth could learn, so he reached out to the Napa County Bicycle Coalition and ignited what became a year-long process of meeting with elected officials, identifying the scope of a pilot program, and marshaling support for the change. As a result of this sustained effort to which his commitment never wavered, City Council unanimously voted to expand bike access at a beginner-friendly open space through a pilot program. He also saw it as a youth development opportunity and engaged youth on the team to speak at council meetings. Of the pilot, which opened on April 15, Trevor says, “It’s a fantastic opportunity for youth and will provide them a location that is close and accessible, where they can learn cycling skills and improve their health.”
One of Trevor’s Bike Champion nominators commented, “He's making a lasting difference in the community. His commitment to coaching not only demonstrates his passion for cycling but also his desire
to mentor and empower young cyclists.”
Trevor deeply values the benefits of riding. “Cycling is a rewarding experience that has changed my life in many ways, all that are positive. I have a stressful job as a peace officer, so it is crucially important that I take advantage of opportunities to improve both my mental and physical health.” He recognizes what cycling can do for others, too. He notes, “I truly believe people are healthier when they spend time outdoors and away from negative influences in their life, such as social media, television, and other screen time type activity. Getting outside and enjoying the peace and quiet that parks can provide has tremendous benefit.”
Peter Belden,
San Francisco County
Interview with San Francisco Bike Coalition:
1. Tell us about yourself and how biking is part of your life here in the Bay.
I had never ridden a bike in SF before 2019 because I was too scared of getting hit by a car. Then during a family trip to Copenhagen I finally experienced how wonderful it is to bike around for everyday transportation. It's fun. It's healthy. It's better for the planet and you get to experience the city and see things you'd normally miss. So when I returned home, I took a SF Bike class on urban riding and went out to explore. I found that although there were some routes, particularly in SOMA, that felt safe, there were too many gaps in the bike network. I knew I wanted to help make a difference there. Now I bike for everyday transportation, but advocating for better biking infrastructure is an even bigger part of my life.
2. What does bike joy mean to you?
Bike joy to me is when I am riding on one of those precious few places in SF where the biking infrastructure is truly safe and carefree like Car Free JFK, the Great Highway Park and the concrete protected bike lanes on the Embarcadero. There is a sense of relief, fun, and ease. And of course, bike buses and all the fun I've had organizing them with Luke Bornheimer, Molly Hayden, Deep Jawa and Charlotte Mooney. It’s hard to beat the joy of riding through SF with music, bubbles and dozens of kids riding to school.
3. How do you help make your community a better place to bike?
I ride on17th St in Potrero Hill almost every day, including going to and from the gym with my kids. 17th St is the main east-west route on a bike and it’s a critical connection. The bike lanes on 17th are unprotected painted lanes. We started advocating for a physical separation that prevents cars from entering the bike lane and with lots of help from another volunteer, Kieran Farr, created safer17th.com. We did outreach to people using the bike lanes, through the local neighborhood associations. We quickly grew to about a dozen engaged volunteers plus several hundred supporters. We also coordinated with other organizations including the SF Bike Coalition, KidSafeSF, the Sierra Club and more. Ultimately we convinced SFMTA to formally approve a safer design for the bike lanes which will be installed by the end of spring, and we want to make the design even better – we’re still concerned about the lack of protected intersections and will continue to advocate for those.
Following this success, our current focus is for Safer Illinois Street. Myself and another SF Bike member, Donovan Lacy have been helping member Kate Blumberg, who is leading Safer Illinois. We've been talking to merchants, creating materials, distributing posters and doing other outreach to decision makers.
4. What advice do you have for people who want to get involved in making our streets better for biking?
Reach out to someone who is involved. That way they can loop you into an existing campaign and share lessons learned. It really is true that an organized group of just a few people can really change things. That's how we made Safer 17th happen and you can do something similar in your neighborhood. I also encourage everyone to get involved with their local neighborhood association. Neighborhood associations in SF have outsized influence and we need that influence to be in support of biking.
Max Cohen,
San Mateo County
In the scenic stretches between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, Max Cohen is shifting gears in community development and bicycle advocacy. His commitment to making biking comfortable and accessible for all marks him as not just a local business owner but a community visionary and a champion of bicyclists everywhere.
Three years ago, Max opened the Scrub Jay Cycles bike shop in Pescadero, offering bicycling opportunities to all. His shop has become a hub for locals and visitors alike, embodying the spirit of community and support. "It's more than just a shop; it's a community resource," Max explains.
His passion for biking is personal and evolved from an adventurous two-week bike ride from the Bay Area to Los Angeles with a friend during college. "Neither of us were avid riders then, but that trip opened my eyes to the possibilities of what a bike can do," Max recalls.
Every Wednesday, Max leads an afterschool program at the local high school, where he has helped set up a mini bike shop. This initiative started when, with the help of collaborator Carlene Foldenauer, the school received a donation of 25 mountain bikes. Since then Max has worked with a team that enables students to build hands-on bike repair skills. "It's about empowering young people with the skills to maintain their bikes and fostering a sense of independence," he says. Additionally Max works with Puente de la Costa Sur to repair bikes for farm workers and locals, and staffs the Pescadero Farmers Market Free Bike Repair Booth.
Looking forward, Max aims to expand his educational programs and ensure that cycling remains a vital part of his community. "Biking has the power to transform lives, not just through mobility but as a gateway to new opportunities and personal growth," he affirms.
“When I see people falling in love with riding or repairing their bike, or discovering they can ride farther distances than they thought,” says Max, “it gets me just as excited as I felt when my passion for bikes was igniting.” Max’s dedication demonstrates the bicycle as a powerful vehicle for connecting with and empowering the people of his community.
Jordan Moldow,
Santa Clara County
As an active participant of SVBC’s San Jose Local Team, Jordan's enthusiasm for bicycle advocacy is as evident as it is inspiring.
Jordan's work in the community has done much to contribute toward a bike advocacy community. A notable example of this is Jordan's involvement in addressing the overlooked issue of trash obstructing bike lanes in San Jose. After noticing that waste management audits failed to acknowledge this as a problem, Jordan mobilized fellow cyclists - including some from SVBC’s San Jose Local Team - to speak at city council meetings. "It's very early on," Jordan reflects, "but there's reason to be optimistic." As a result of their efforts, San Jose’s Waste Management team acknowledged the need for clear bike lanes and is working to identify a solution.
Jordan is a pivotal force in building a more cohesive biketivist community in San Jose. His advocacy includes attending San Jose Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) meetings, keeping the local residents informed about city meetings and events, and encouraging others to participate. What truly moves Jordan’s advocacy efforts is a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of bicycles, not just as a mode of transportation but as a catalyst for community connection and environmental stewardship. He advocates for a future where biking is not just a leisure activity, but a vital consideration of urban infrastructure in San Jose. "I look forward to a future where you see bikes all the time," Jordan says, envisioning streets so safe that people are always active.
Jordan is committed to creating a community where everyone can integrate more active transportation into their daily lives. Currently, he is working towards that vision by advocating for changes to local policies and infrastructure so that all bicyclists can be safe and comfortable on public roads. Jordan believes in the strength of individual and collective actions and encourages others to join him in attending meetings, speaking with policymakers, or simply joining him in the bike lane. "If there’s a world you want to see, you have to make it happen,” he says. “Rather than waiting for others to make San Jose a more bicycle-friendly city, I have to play that role in making it the city I want to live in.”
Eduardo “Eddie” Sanchez,
Solano County
Vacaville resident, Eduardo “Eddie” Sanchez, didn’t wait to pass down his love of cycling to the next generation. Eddie coached his daughter to balance on two wheels when she was a toddler. He says, “She’s had 5 bikes and 3 bike trailers so far, and she’s only 5 years old!”
For the Sanchez family, cycling is a way of life. His wife Molly Sanchez says, far from letting bicycling slide to the wayside when his daughter arrived, Eddie found a safe bike trailer. “When she outgrew the trailer, he donated it, and acquired a ‘Weehoo,’ a tag-along children's recumbent seat. And he has run alongside her as she learned to push a trike, glide on a balance bike, and ride her cruiser.”
Eddie started biking while in college at UC Davis. He says biking to class was quicker than driving because finding a parking spot was practically impossible. Today Eddie rides a Specialized AWOL, which he says is a gravel bike fitted with panniers and puncture-proof tires. Biking encourages him to exercise on a regular basis.
Molly says, “Most days [Eddie] can be found cycling 8 miles to work at 5:30 am, donning appropriate clothing to help him navigate through cold, rain, and wind.” He likes the way the breeze cools his face, and how he feels energized after riding to work.
Eddie and his family decided to become a single-car household for personal health, environmental impact, and to cut down on expenses. Eddie says, “To make this happen we chose to live local to our jobs. Both my wife and I ride our bikes to work, and we use the car primarily to drive our daughter to and from school.” Through the years Eddie has been diligent in assuring that his family members have well-fitted and mechanically sound bicycles.
A Quality Control Associate at Genentech, Eddie participates in the Genentech Cycling Classic each year, riding from Vacaville to Winters and back, bringing his family along for the ride. Not only is cycling a way of life for them, Eddie and his family cycle for fun, riding their bikes on the weekends.
While on a six-week paid sabbatical in 2022, Eddie and his wife rode on a self-contained, guided, 200-mile bike tour in Oregon. To prepare to ride the 50-mile days with Adventure Cycling Tours, the family trained on the American River Parkway, the Iron Horse Regional Trail, and the Bay Trail in San Francisco. Eddie says he and his wife took turns pulling their daughter’s bike trailer.
A bicycling advocate, Eddie encourages his coworkers to bike whenever he gets a chance, telling them “…it’s a fun way to be active.” He also influences his extended family. “We like going on bike rides with my in-laws. My niece and nephew were in town from Southern California for Christmas; I bought them a couple of bikes at Goodwill and had them fixed up at Ray’s Cycle.” Eddie donated the bikes to Goodwill after the family left, giving others the chance to enjoy them.
Molly says his dedication to cycling has led Eddie to recognize how biking connects community members, and he continues to nurture his connection to the wider community. Eddie hopes to influence policy by sharing solutions to address multiple intersections that could be safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.
If you’re out cycling this weekend, you might spot Eddie, Molly, and their daughter enjoying a family ride on the Vacaville back roads.
Loie Sauer,
Sonoma County
The Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition received numerous nominations from the Sonoma County bike community for the 2024 Bike Champion of the Year. One nomination stood out amongst all of them:
“Dr. Loie Sauer has rendered medical aid so many times when we have a person who has had an accident on a ride, she never fails to give her full attention and comfort, along with full follow up as needed. She literally saved the life of John Mills in early 2023 who experienced cardiac arrest while on a ride. She is truly our Angel.”
Santa Rosa resident Loie Sauer, a vascular surgeon with Providence Medical Group, has been selected as the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition’s Bike Champion of the Year. Loie discovered riding in San Francisco in the 1990’s. One of her earliest memories was riding under the redwoods and being captivated. Sauer recalls a few years later she began road cycling. The memories that bring her pure joy are those times she was riding with her children. Cycling has been a part of her life ever since.
As a member and active volunteer of Velomed and the Santa Rosa Cycling Club Loie noted how much they have given back to her. “The friendships, being able to fit rides into my schedule since the Santa Rosa Cycling Club offers so many group rides practically every day of the week. It’s pure fun and joy.”
Loie is passionate about being safety conscious while riding. She advocates for people to learn CPR, a skill that has been demonstrated to save lives. Dr. Sauer shared some important resources she would like everyone to have:
Take a CPR Class: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr
Get training in crash scene management. Every year Velomed offers “Spring Training,” a two-hour class on this topic.
Download the free app: Pulse Point AED (this application will tell you the nearest location of a defibrillator)
“Everyone should feel confident to ride for their entire lifetime. Being a safety conscious rider can make that possible.”
Loie wanted to emphasize that while she has professional medical training, the aid she has rendered to injured riders is something everyone can acquire the skills to do.
“Learn what you can, do what you can. Let’s all look out for each other on the road.” Anyone can help a fellow rider in need by:
Asking to help them.
Listening to their needs.
Kindness is key (injured riders are in a delicate space and showing compassion has a huge impact).
Dr. Sauer enjoys riding the rural roads of Sonoma County and encourages riders to “clump and gap” when on group rides. Having your group clump together 4-5 riders and then providing a space gap between those groups gives drivers an opportunity to pass safely.
The Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition is honored to have Loie Sauer as our 2024 Bike Champion of the Year. Through her actions, she demonstrated going the extra mile to help a rider in crisis. She was an integral part of the team that saved the life of a fellow rider and has continues to dedicate her time and training to helping riders that are in need. As Loie says, “In the bike community, we are all looking out for each other.”