President and Chief Executive Officer
Ken is proud of the impact that Bike New York’s education and safety program, the largest and most diverse of its kind, has had on its more than 25,000 students annually; the success of Bike Path, which trains formerly incarcerated New Yorkers to become bike mechanics at Citi Bike; and the growth of the iconic TD Five Boro Bike Tour. Prior to joining Bike New York, Ken spent his entire career working for the City of New York, previously serving as the City’s Sports Commissioner –a position he held for 12 years. Before that, Ken served as Deputy Commissioner/Chief Financial Officer for the Taxi & Limousine Commission; Assistant Commissioner of Finance for the Department of Youth & Community Development; and Senior Project Manager for the Economic Development Corporation. Ken began his career as an urban planner for the Department of Housing Preservation & Development, where he was the project manager of Metro Tech, a $1 billion commercial, academic, and technology center responsible for revitalizing downtown Brooklyn. He received undergraduate degrees from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Whitman School of Management and a Master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation. Ken currently serves as Chairman of the League of American Bicyclists, a position he’s held since 2019. He’s also a member of the United Jewish Appeal’s Sports for Youth Council, Westchester Community College’s Health & Human Performance Advisory Board, and the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance. He previously served on the board of directors of Benihana of Tokyo, Achilles International, Ice Hockey in Harlem, the 2014 NY/NJ Super Bowl Business & Economic Development Committee, and National Sports Marketing Network. Ken was also a founding member of Syracuse University’s David B. Falk Center of Sports Management.
Ken has received numerous recognitions, including the Arnold Schwarzenegger Legacy Award, United Jewish Appeal Sports for Youth Award, New York Athletic Club’s Man of the Year Award, Ken Podziba Day in New York City Proclamation from Mayor Bloomberg, and the World Bicycle Day Award from the United Nations.
Hometown:
Oceanside, NY
Favorite restaurant and what to order:
The Zen calm of HanGawi, a vegetarian Korean restaurant in Murray Hill, is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s also where I met my wife on the best blind date ever. The rice bowls are all delicious, but make sure to try the organic wheat-free kale pancakes as an appetizer. (It tastes a lot better than it sounds.)
I like working for Bike New York because:
I love that we empower people to lead healthier, more productive lives through bicycling, and I feel blessed to be able to work with such a talented, committed and big-hearted group of people. My favorite part of the job is getting out to our classes and teaching kids and adults to ride—being by their side during that amazing moment when they’re riding for the first time is pure joy!
Personal Motto:
Dream big, work hard, stay focused and, most importantly, surround yourself with good people.
Dream vacation destination:
A ride through the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Last good book read:
I love historical fiction, especially about old New York. Reading The Alienist by Caleb Carr felt as if a time machine brought me back to 1896.
Something people are surprised to learn about me:
Growing up, I was an avid skateboarder and I now ride with my daughters.
Favorite post-ride treat:
Short rides: ice cream. Long rides: an ice-cold beer.
Chief Operating Officer
Prior to joining Bike New York, Andy was the Senior Vice President of Sports Marketing at NYC & Company, where he played an integral role in attracting the 2014 Super Bowl to the New York City region. Previously, he served for 11 years as Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Sports Commission.
Andy’s extensive career in the sports industry has included positions with the Israel Basketball Association, the University of California, Santa Barbara, the University of Connecticut, the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and has a Master of Science in Sports Management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Andy created and taught a graduate course entitled Sports and Events Tourism at NYU’s Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management, and is a board member of Carnegie Sports and Entertainment, LLC, and currently serves on the board of the Armory Foundation and United Jewish Appeal’s Sports for Youth Committee.
Hometown:
Delmar, NY
Favorite New York restaurant:
SriPraPhai in Woodside, Queens. Best Thai food in the city. I love the Larb Gai as an appetizer along with the Som Tum (Green Papaya salad). Tom Yung Goong soup is fantastic! The curries are great and you can’t go wrong with the steamed or fried whole fish with sweet chili sauce or a garlic, chili and lime sauce. Close second is Taverna Kyclades in Astoria. Grilled Octopus is amazing! Excellent grilled fish, lamb chops, salads, and traditional dips like Skordalia, Tzatziki, and Taramosalata.
I like working for Bike New York because:
We have an amazing team of smart, passionate, dedicated professionals that make every day a great day and we’re helping change the culture of the City which will make it a safer and more livable place.
Dream vacation destination:
Machu Picchu, Patagonia, or Bhutan
Last good book read:
The Power Broker, by Robert Caro
Something people are surprised to learn about me:
I backpacked through Asia for 7 months.
Favorite post-ride treat:
Ice Cream Sundae
Bike Fleet Manager
I first wrenched when I was doing my undergrad in Montreal, and I didn’t realize it at the time, but it became an important source of community, sanity, and income over the course of my life.
In addition to wrenching, I am passionate about mental health and am currently on my way to completing a master’s in mental health counseling. I feel that riding bikes has been an enormous aid in maintaining my own mental health through the years. Riding gives me freedom, and my ability to maintain my bike gives me a sense of competence and safety as I navigate the unfamiliar streets of the places I live and visit. Doing work that allows others the opportunity to access these types of gifts is a dream come true.
Hometown:
Kalaheo, Kauai, HI.
Favorite restaurant:
Impossible to choose, but Little Mo saves my life on the reg.
Dream vacation:
Biking across Canada.
Last good book read:
Miles from Nowhere, by Barbara Savage.
Favorite street to ride on:
I just rode through Randall’s Island along the waterfront for the first time, and it was gorgeous.
Community Outreach Manager
Initially Fitchburg, MA , but mainly Belmont, MA.
Last good book read:
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin.
Dream vacation:
70’s Schwinn Stingray 5 Speed
Communications & Marketing Specialist
Vanessa loves pursuing creative ways of self-expression and finding ways to connect with joy and her inner child. In that search for childlike joy, Vanessa finally learned how to ride a bike in 2020, and she loves it!
As a communications and marketing strategist, her passion lies in merging movement, psychology, and the power of community to help people and companies leverage their authenticity by sharing powerful stories and living their values. She’s excited to bring her hospitality, event, and social media magic to Bike New York, and her motto is “Choose Happiness – It is never too late to try anything that brings a smile to our faces!”
I like working for Bike New York because:
Self-development, yoga, Harry Potter, and learning to ride a bike as an adult.
Dream vacation:
I just got my first bike, a Jamis Citizen 2, and my favorite post-bike treat is on the other side of the Hudson in Jersey City: Cheese Coxinhas (Brazilian Croquettes) from Smorgasburg and Coffee from Clutch Moto.
Director, Events
Devon joined Bike New York as the Director of Events in 2019, but her love of events goes way back to her college years when she was involved with UDance, a philanthropic dance marathon at the University of Delaware. Since then, Devon has been a leader in creating turnkey experiences for non-profits, big brands, and athletic organizations. Prior to her current role, Devon worked for an experiential sports marketing agency where she spearheaded large-scale events for partners such as American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen, Ben & Jerry’s, and the U.S. Golf Association.
Hometown:
Long Island, NY
Favorite New York restaurant:
Taverna Kyclades in Astoria, Queens
I like working for Bike New York because:
Creating events that take thousands of people to new places on their bikes — like the FDR Drive and the Verrazzano Bridge!
Ask me about:
My family’s famous recipe for rice balls.
Education Operations Manager
Chantal is a native New Yorker and a League Cycling Instructor with a passion for promoting the bicycle as a vehicle for independence and sustainability. She is committed to promoting equity, building community, and empowering individuals through her position as Education Operations Manager and her work with the Gear Femmes program.
After graduating from Oberlin College with a degree in Environmental Studies, Chantal spent a number of years in Boston, where she earned her Master’s in Teaching in Art Education at Tufts University and fell in love with cycling. She began her work with Bike New York as a volunteer, and has since held several roles, from working with youth at Recycle-A-Bicycle to Volunteer and Event Production Manager.
Hometown:
New York, NY
Favorite New York restaurant:
Foxface in the East Village! It’s not so much a restaurant as a takeout window featuring creative, unusual, and delicious sandwiches.
I like working for Bike New York because:
Favorite street to ride on:
I love biking around Randall’s Island. It’s such an oasis! In my more adrenaline-fueled moments I get a thrill riding down Broadway through Times Square, especially at night with all the marquees lit up.
Associate Director, Events
Aldo’s history with Bike New Year goes back to 2016, when he first joined the team as a freelancer to help produce the TD Five Boro Bike Tour. He has over 10 years of experience as an event professional, with a passion for event production. As an event consultant, Aldo has helped produce events for nonprofits, live performances, award ceremonies, multi-day sales meetings, and more.
Hometown:
Bayside, NY
Favorite New York restaurant:
Peruvian cuisine is my favorite. It would have to be between Pio Pio and Jora restaurant in Long Island City.
I like working for Bike New York because:
I like being part of a company that promotes better quality of life through cycling and is helping the city transition to a more sustainable future through our educational programs and annual events.
Bike I wish for:
I’m happy with my Trek Emonda road bike. My favorite streets to ride on are Vernon Blvd and Kent Ave. I enjoy the route and the view of the NYC skyline.
Customer Service Assistant
Suzette moved to New York from the Dominican Republic in the early 2000’s. Upon graduating from Prep for Prep’s leadership and educational program in 2012, she attended an independent boarding school in Massachusetts. Soon after she received her Bachelors of Science from Cornell University in 2020.
She values biking as an accessible mode of transportation and wishes to continue supporting her community through her work at Bike New York.
Hometown:
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Favorite New York restaurant:
Gyu Kaku
Dream vacation destination:
Japan
Last good book read:
All About Love by Bell Hooks
Nicknames:
Suzy
Favorite post-ride treat:
Ice cream!
Director, Communications & Marketing
Shannon is an urban planner and storyteller with a nearly 20-year career in strategic communications, government policy, learning and evaluation, and advocacy and a deep interest in transportation, housing, public space, sustainability, and issues of equity.
Before earning her master’s degree in urban planning, the core of Shannon’s professional experience was in content strategy and copywriting, with specialties in PR, digital marketing, branding, and messaging, particularly around complex urban issues. Prior to joining Bike New York, she worked for philanthropic collaborative Living Cities, overseeing its knowledge and impact efforts.
Hometown:
Houston, TX
Favorite New York restaurant:
Ras Plant Based in Crown Heights. Stellar vegan Ethiopian food with a great vibe in my neighborhood!
Why I like working for Bike New York:
Bike New York’s events are so joyful and inclusive; they’re a fantastic cross-section of the New York area. And as far as our bike education programming goes, I love that we’re providing adults and kids with the freedom and independence that comes with learning how to bike — confidently and safely.
Dream vacation destination:
Japan
Something people would be surprised to learn about me:
I’m very into science and space, I wanted to be an astrophysicist when I was a kid, and I went to Space Camp in junior high.
Ask me about:
Alfred Beach’s Pneumatic Railway, the first subway in New York City.
Director, Education
Rich has been the Director of Education since starting at Bike New York in 2004. He has a masters and doctorate from University of Notre Dame, and his bike industry experience includes working for Metro Bicycles and teaching middle school kids for Recycle-A-Bicycle. In addition to being a League Cycling Instructor (LCI), he’s an LCI coach for the League of American Bicyclists. He has a brilliant, wonderful teenage daughter and three cats who are nice, but not so brilliant.
Hometown:
Lincoln, Nebraska
I like working for Bike New York because:
The people here are really fun to work with, and we have great programs that make an immediate difference in peoples’ lives.
Nicknames:
Dr. Mosholu, Professor Hipwader
Ask me about:
American History, World War II, 20th Century global history
Personal motto:
Never send plastic to do a job that requires metal.
Something people are surprised to learn about me:
I was studying to be a Catholic priest at one time.
Favorite post-ride treat:
Any very cold beer.
Director, Human Resources
Jamie moved to Brooklyn from the Caribbean island of Trinidad in 1990. In 2005, she graduated from Baruch College with a bachelor’s degree in Music Management. She also worked for an independent record label while earning her degree, in addition to a stint in publishing with Nielsen Company. She began her non-profit career at the Armory Foundation in 2005 and joined Bike New York in October 2010.
Hometown:
Brooklyn, but born in Trinidad and Tobago
Favorite New York restaurant:
I’m a foodie! I can’t just pick one. If I must choose, I will go with Sugarcane Restaurant in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Any dish that involves callaloo is amazing!
Nicknames:
Mimi, Jam, Jem Jem
Ask me about:
Caribbean culture, shoes (mostly heels), manicures, pedicures and food
Dream vacation destination:
Jade Mountain Resort, St. Lucia
Something people are surprised to learn about me:
I’m obsessed with Lionel Richie; I saw him live for the first time this past June. I think I was the youngest person in the crowd.
If I could have any bike in the world, it’d be:
A Brompton Folding Bike. It can fit in my closet next to the shoes.
Director, Advocacy
Jon Orcutt has 30 years of experience shaping sustainable transportation policies. Before joining Bike New York in 2019, he was the Communications and Advocacy Director at TransitCenter, a foundation setting a national agenda for rebuilding mass transit in American cities.
Jon was Director of Policy at the NYC Department of Transportation from 2007 to 2014. He oversaw development of a new strategic plan for NYCDOT and was a leader of the team that initiated major street design innovations on New York City streets. Jon managed creation of the Citi Bike bike share system and coordinated development of Mayor de Blasio’s Vision Zero traffic safety policy.
Jon has also worked as a consultant to governments, organizations and companies on city transportation strategies, traffic safety, bike share systems, and bicycle transportation policies. Earlier in his career, he served as Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives and the Tri-State Transportation Campaign.
Hometown:
Initially Boulder, CO, but mainly Lexington, MA
Favorite New York restaurant and what to order:
Adelina’s in Greenpoint – go for any of the pasta mains and one of the red cask wines.
I like working for Bike New York because:
It makes eminent sense for someone who has made a career of making NYC bike-friendly.
Hobbies:
I’m not at all well-rounded! Bike racing. Though also hiking, canoeing, backcountry skiing far from cities.
Ask me about:
NYC politics, fixing bikes, riding bikes, transportation developments in other cities.
Personal motto:
Ask forgiveness, not permission.
Something people are surprised to learn about me:
I have no educational background in planning or transportation.
Favorite street to ride on in New York and why:
The Pulaski Bridge bike path, i.e. the first NYC bridge lane fully repurposed and protected from car traffic.
Director, Recycle-A-Bicycle and Membership Program
Hometown:
Atlanta, Georgia
Favorite New York restaurant:
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana – original tomato pie with mozzarella
Hobbies:
Cycling, basketball, and video games
Nickname:
TJ
Personal motto:
“Repetitio est mater studiorum” (Repetition is the mother of learning)
Dream vacation destination:
Bora Bora
Favorite post-ride treat:
Anything chocolate
Associate Director, Customer Service
Hometown:
Ottawa, Canada
I like working for Bike New York because:
I love the idea of teaching people how to ride (biking is one of the best feelings in the world, and for a kid it’s like having wings and wheels, all at the same time). Plus, I love the energy of the Tour; it’s better than espresso.
Hobbies:
Reading, cooking, gardening, finding new places to get lost and then back again.
Personal motto:
If you must hurt someone else in order to win, you have won nothing.
Last good book read:
The Martian.
Something people are surprised to learn about me:
I have synesthesia (I can see and feel music, hear flavors, etc.).
Favorite street to ride on in New York and why:
Shore Parkway Greenway Trail (not really a street), because it goes almost all the way to Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island