Manvel Leaves BTA, Notes "Bicycling Renaissance"
Posted by: EvanJul 20 2007, 3:47 pm
Bicycle Transportation Alliance Executive Director Evan Manvel announced today that he is leaving the organization after two years of service.
"It's been a wonderful couple of years," said Manvel. "I've been honored to lead such an amazing organization and see it grow so significantly. There's no doubt about it – the bicycling Renaissance is here, and the BTA is leading the charge."
Since Manvel took the helm in May 2005, the organization:
- Pushed through five new laws to improve bike safety and the rights of cyclists.
- Published its landmark Blueprint for Better Bicycling report.
- Launched its bicycle boulevards campaign, garnering national attention.
- Helped pass Measure 26-80, a Metro bond measure that will significantly increase bike trails in the region.
- Helped win a key decision upholding Portland’s trail requirement.
- Successfully lobbied for $100,000 for the Portland Bicycle Master Plan update.
- Taught over 8,000 kids across Oregon bicycle safety education classes.
- Launched the Portland Safe Routes to School program, serving 19 schools in partnership with the City of Portland, Alta Planning+Design, and other community organizations.
- Expanded its Bike Commute Challenge to over 6,100 participants at 550 businesses.
- Built its annual budget from $550,000 to $1,009,000.
- Doubled its full-time staff from 7 to 14.
- Dramatically expanded media outreach, getting scores of stories in print, on television, on radio and on-line.
- Revamped on-line communications, increasing web visits ten-fold.
- Twice expanded into new offices.
- Held its largest Alice Awards and Dinner event, with over 730 attendees.
"It's been a thrill to see the BTA grow, and biking in Portland and around the state grow with it," said Manvel. "Many thanks go out to our members, our volunteers, our staff, and our Board of Directors for contributing to that success."
Citing the gorgeous Oregon summer, Manvel says he plans to take a life sabbatical before deciding what to do next. "While I've celebrated my retirement before, I don't think I’ll call this retirement. People might stop believing me," Manvel said.
The BTA is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to creating safe, healthy communities by opening minds and roads to bicycling. It has over 4,500 members.
Wow. I am reeling! Is this true? We are going to miss really you Evan. Thanks for all your great work for the BTA and the community. The smarts, breadths of vision, and sense of humor you brought to the helm of the BTA will be very very difficult to replace.
Jim
Wow is right. Best of luck in your next adventure Evan. I so enjoyed volunteering for the BTA under your direction and know you will continue to do good work in the world…and that the BTA will continue down it's path of growth. -Molly
Evan, you'll be sorely missed. The BTA is more successful than ever and it's made a real difference in Oregon. I'm confident, though, that you'll keep doing great work on behalf of bikes and building better communities.
Dan
Thanks, Evan, for helping knit our cycling community together and strengthening our voice.
I hope you find a nice quiet path to roll along with your helmet off and enjoy the breeze for a while.
Ring your bell, pass on the left and have a safe journey, brother.
Evan — So sorry to see you go, but glad you're going to take some time for yourself. It's well deserved! You've done a magnificent job leading the ever-more-successful BTA for the past two years and have every right to feel proud of your collective accomplishments. Enjoy your sabbatical – we'll look forward to seeing you resurface, refreshed and ready to roll!
Best,
Meeky
Thank you for your service, Evan — best of luck on the road (trail?) to come!
Evan — We could use many more like you in communities across America! Congratulations on your very successful "pull at the front" at BTA. And do be careful about throwing about that retirement word. There's a lot left to do, and I suspect we'll see you back in the harness before too long.
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