President and Chief Executive Officer
Ken Podziba serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Bike New York, a nonprofit organization renowned for producing the TD Five Boro Bike Tour—the largest cycling event in the United States and the world’s premier charitable bike ride. Under his leadership, Bike New York has empowered countless New Yorkers to transform their lives and communities through bicycling. The organization operates the nation’s most extensive and diverse bike education and safety program. This includes the groundbreaking Bike Path initiative, which trains formerly incarcerated individuals as skilled bike mechanics, empowering them to secure full-time employment maintaining Citi Bike fleets. Additionally, Bike New York’s advocacy efforts have been instrumental in promoting safer, more equitable streets, and its proactive response to the migrant crisis has equipped asylum seekers with bicycles to enhance mobility and integration into New York City life.
Before joining Bike New York, Ken dedicated his career to public service for the City of New York. He served as the New York City Sports Commissioner for 12 years, spearheading a wide range of initiatives to attract, support, and promote sports across the five boroughs. His earlier roles included Deputy Commissioner and Chief Financial Officer of 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 with the Department of Housing Preservation & Development, where he managed the $1 billion MetroTech project, a transformative commercial, academic, and technology hub that revitalized downtown Brooklyn.
A recognized leader in the national bicycle movement, Ken served as Chairman of the League of American Bicyclists for four years and now holds the honorary title of Director Emeritus. He was recently appointed by Mayor Adams to the newly created NYC Sports, Wellness & Recreation Advisory Board and is also involved with several other organizations, including the United Jewish Appeal’s Sports for Youth Council, the Achilles International Advisory Board, the Westchester Community College Health & Human Performance Advisory Board, and the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance. He has previously served on the boards of Benihana of Tokyo, Ice Hockey in Harlem, the Super Bowl Business & Economic Development Committee, and the National Sports Marketing Network and was a founding member of Syracuse University’s David B. Falk Center for Sports and Human Dynamics.
In December 2024, President Joe Biden honored Ken with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his lifelong commitment to strengthening the nation through volunteer service. Ken’s contributions have garnered numerous other accolades, including the Arnold Schwarzenegger Legacy Award, the United Jewish Appeal Sports for Youth Award, the New York Athletic Club’s Man of the Year Award, a proclamation of “Ken Podziba Day” by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and the United Nations’ World Bicycle Day Award. He has also been featured in City & State’s Transportation Power 100 and PoliticsNY’s Power Players in Transportation for three consecutive years.
Ken holds dual undergraduate degrees from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Whitman School of Management. He earned his Master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation, where his thesis on the Canary Wharf development in London received the school’s top prize.
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.
Operations Manager, Education
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!
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.
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, 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.
Operations & Education Manager, Recycle-A-Bicycle
Hometown:
Jamaica Plain, MA
Bike I wish for:
Something I fabricate/weld myself
Ask me about:
Modernist Architecture
Something people would be surprised to learn about me:
I enjoy juggling and unicycle riding
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
Associate Director, Education
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 Associate Director of Education 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, and now as Associate Director of Education.
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.
Director, Recycle-A-Bicycle & Membership
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
Bike Fleet Manager
Mary is passionate about exploring the outdoors and covering lots of ground on two wheels. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College, taught public school in Yonkers, and earned a Master’s in Education from CUNY Lehman. Her interest changed gears to outside activities. She became certified as a Wilderness First Responder with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Mary lived in Minnesota, where she fell in love with riding on scenic trails. After returning home to New York, she continued to work as a bike mechanic with REI. She did self-supported bike tours, such as the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Before joining Bike New York in 2023, Mary was a Service Manager with Trek Bikes in New Jersey.
Hometown:
Yonkers, NY
Why I like working for Bike New York:
Bikes can help folks feel more confident and self-sufficient. Bike New York’s free education classes play a huge part in this. It’s never too late to start again– “it’s like riding a bike.”
Ask me about…
Scenic bike routes in the tri-state, gravel, and places where you can get a post-ride beverage.
Dream vacation:
Exploring and bikepacking somewhere I haven’t been before.
Bike you wish for, favorite post-bike treat, or favorite street to ride on:
I enjoy riding on the South County Trail in Westchester. It’s amazing to see how this pathway has developed over the years. It’s now an essential part of the Empire State Trail.
Chief Development Officer
In concert with various CEOs, Executive Directors, Volunteers, and Development Staff, Bev Lacy has raised over $75M in the New York City Metro Region and Delaware. Accomplishments include major capital projects, program design, endowment gifts, the case for support development, events at landmark Manhattan venues, cultivation of A-list celebrity hosts and talent, and board and donor development. In addition, she has worked throughout her career to level the playing field for children, families, and communities.
A Certified Fund Raising Executive, CRFE, Bev was named Chief Development Officer of Bike New York in 2023; before that, she served as Chief Development Officer for the YMCA of Delaware and Vice President of Campaign and Strategic Advancement. From 2016 to 2019, Bev served at the YMCA of Long Island as Vice President of Philanthropy, where she helped build a new culture of giving with senior management. In 2018, Bev was awarded AFP Long Island’s Outstanding Fundraising Professional of the year. Bev began her extensive development career with the YMCA of Greater New York City, focused on major gifts, capital campaigns, and special events. She served as the Interim Development Department Head for the YMCA of Delaware from 2014 to 2016 and led the Brandywine YMCA Capital Campaign. She has made a significant impact in all her former roles. In addition, Bev is a former spin instructor, avid fitness enthusiast, and recreational cyclist!
Hometown:
Santa Ana, CA.
Something people would be surprised to learn about me:
My first job was as a Disneyland Cast Member working on Storybook Land; I remember every word of my former spiel.
Favorite street to ride on:
Why I like working for Bike New York:
It starts with a bike and leads to transformative change! It is great to be a part of a team creating access and opportunity to bicycling, affordable transportation, workforce development, addressing our carbon footprint, promoting wellness and recreation, bike education, and more.
Senior Manager, Community Engagement & Equity Programs
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
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.
Customer Service Assistant
Tasreen is a first-generation Bangladeshi American college graduate with a strong commitment to community and social justice. Born and raised in Astoria, Queens, she earned an associate’s degree in Urban Studies from Guttman Community College, followed by a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Community Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Now living in Brooklyn, Tasreen is dedicated to contributing to the greater good through her involvement in community initiatives.
Hometown:
Astoria Queens, NY
Favorite New York restaurant:
As a proud vegan, I have many favorite spots in New York City, but my top picks are Aunt ET Uncles (their burgers are the best) or Vegan on the Fly (big fan of their kefta platter)!
Something people would be surprised to learn about me:
One surprising fact about me is that I’m a singer and songwriter, and I love spending my free time creating music. I also can speak 3 languages!
Nickname:
Tas, Tasmanian devil, Pigeon hero
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