About this user
I fell in love with bicycling in 1990 while attending graduate school in Washington DC. Having grown up in suburban Dallas, Texas, I was used to driving everywhere. Informed that there was no parking available near my school, I borrowed my brother's 10 speed Schwinn. Within a few weeks, I was in the best shape of my life, and a lifelong love affair had begun. Since then, I have been a dedicated bicyclist for recreation, touring, exercise, and daily utilitarian trips. I have two children - ages 11 and 8 -- and see bicycling as a win-win strategy for maintaining my family's health, safety, budget, and community connection.
My career has included:
Advocacy work (1989-1993) at an international environmental think tank, during which time I worked with cities in developing countries on transportation energy conservation strategies.
Government leadership as the City of Portland's Bicycle Program Manager, where I led Portland's transformation to the country's most bicycle friendly city.
Consulting with communities nationwide (1999 to present) as a Principal at Alta Planning + Design, the nation's leading firm specializing in bicycle, pedestrian, and trail planning, design, and implementation. I have worked on hundreds of bicycle and pedestrian planning projects around the nation; expanded Alta to a 65-person firm with 13 offices nationwide; and authored studies on such groundbreaking topics as shared lane markings and rails-with-trails.
Teaching bicycle and pedestrian planning through my role as Adjunct Professor at Portland State University and founder of PSU's Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation (IBPI).
Age
44
Hometown
Dallas, TX
Country
United States
Occupation
CEO and Principal, Alta Planning + Design
Schools
M.A. International Relations & Economics, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Bologna, Italy and Washington, D.C., 1990
B.A. Government and French, University of Texas, Austin, 1988
MiaBirkJoyride
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