March 18, 2009

Nationally recognized biking and walking visionary to take national stage

 Randy Neufeld, a pioneer in the biking and walking movements, was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alliance for Biking & Walking in Washington, D.C. as part of the annual National Bike Summit on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.

The award was given at a critical juncture for both Randy’s career and for the Active Transportation Alliance. This June, Randy will move from his staff position with Active Trans to focus on national policy and consult with organizations throughout the country.

Neufeld, a widely respected transportation visionary, is chief strategy officer for the Active Transportation Alliance and has been a powerhouse for the organization for more than 20 years. He served as its executive director for 16 of those years.

“Randy has catalyzed leaders, communities and individuals to improve the way we all get around. Thanks to him, Chicagoland is now on track to become a haven for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit riders,” said Active Trans Executive Director Rob Sadowsky.

Randy will still stay connected with the Active Transportation Alliance’s advocacy on special projects, as a member of the board of directors and as a representative at city and regional committees.

“He has taught our organization so much and with such passion that, while we will miss his daily impact, we know this shift will strengthen the overall movement,” Sadowsky said.

Randy began his career as the Active Transportation Alliance’s – then the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation – first employee in 1988, working for free until the organization could sustain itself.

His energy brought the organization from a small group of volunteer activists in 1985 to a leading advocate for biking, walking and transit in the region.

During his tenure, Randy rallied communities around Sunday Parkways, which opens streets to people to walk, bike and play; gained political support for Illinois’ Complete Streets policy, which requires roads to accommodate all road users; and crystallized a broader, multi-modal vision for Chicagoland transportation.

“In light of current economic, public health and environmental crises, our prescription of biking, walking and transit has never been more vital,” Neufeld said.

This legacy of a comprehensive approach to transportation propelled Neufeld to the forefront of the national biking and walking movement.

In 1997, Randy helped found and was president of the Alliance for Biking & Walking, an association of biking and walking organizations across North America. He serves as strategic manager for the National Complete Streets Coalition. Randy is also the president of America Bikes, a national coalition of leaders from the bicycle community advocating for biking and walking in federal legislation.

“Randy has been a leader and mentor for hundreds of bicycle and pedestrian advocates across North America,” said Jeffrey Miller, president and CEO of the Alliance for Biking & Walking. “His experience, strategic thinking, and fun approach have not only made him one of the most respected advocates nationally, but an inspiration and model we all hope to be someday.”

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. Formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, the Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 35 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

 ###