Staff

Meet the Bike Program Staff

photo of group staff as of june 19, 2009

Second row, from left: Joshua Koonce, Ben Gomberg, Amanda Woodall, Kate Ibara, Frank Zurek, Matt Villanueva, Christopher Gagnon.
First row, from left: Charlie Short, Jeff Rhodes, John Alex Colón, David Gleason, Christy Fisher, Jack Ringness, Steven Vance, Nick Puczkowskyj.

Photo taken at Bike To Work Day Rally on Friday, June 19, 2009 in Daley Plaza. Mike Amsden, Dave Miller, and Uzma Syed are not pictured.

For general inquiries, suggestions and requests,
please call our Bike Hotline at (312) 742-2453 or
cdotbikes 'at' cityofchicago.org

Return to the Bike Program homepage.

Staff Profiles as of November 2009

Mike Amsden

Mike Amsden

Bikeways Planner
(312) 742-2973

"Getting around on a bike is the most practical way to travel in a city as busy and congested as Chicago. It's great getting to wherever I'm going quickly, safely, and cheaply, while at the same time getting in some exercise."

Photo of John Alex Colón

John Alex Colón

Bikeways Intern
(312) 742-9067

"I believe that a balance between the bicycle, automobile, and pedestrian can be achieved. As our society acknowledges the values inherent in collaborative decision-making on issues such as the environment and social justice, it is also likely that new opportunities will develop within Chicago as it relates to the Bikeway network. No reason exists why we cannot share the roads and resources of this great city. Chicago is often cited as a world-class city, but that status will never be achieved if we disregard the needs and desires of our fellow citizens, whether on foot or wheels."

Photo of Christy Fisher

Christy Fisher

Bike Parking Assistant
(312) 742-9067

"Transportation and urban form develop together. The speed, scale, and design of our chosen vehicle directly influence the way we experience a place and how the urban fabric evolves with us. A street that accommodates the needs of bikes, pedestrians, and motorists returns our corridors to an extension of our homes, workplaces, and schools."

Photo of Chris Gagnon

Christopher Gagnon

Bike Parking Program Manager
(312) 744-4600

"When I was new to Chicago, I found using a bike for transportation to be a great way to meet people and make friends. Chicago has a thriving bicycling community, and there's always some cool bicycling-related activity or event going on, year round. And cycling through the winter helps keep me fit so when the nice weather returns, I'm ready for it!"

Photo of David Gleason

David Gleason

Managing Bikeways Traffic Engineer
(312) 744-3160

"I like how small the city feels on a bicycle. I like to look up and see tall buildings and trees and sky rather than the ceiling of a car. I like the focus and concentration required to move through rush hour traffic as quickly and fluidly as possible. I like running into a friend on a bike at unexpected locations."

Photo of Ben Gomberg outside

Ben Gomberg

Bicycle Program Coordinator

"Bicycling is a great way to get around Chicago. It's fun, fast and good for the environment. I love getting to work in fewer than thirty minutes, parking my bike in seconds in front of my building, and starting work refreshed and in good shape."

Photo of Kate Ibara Kate Ibara

Mayor Daley's Bicycling Ambassadors Program Intern
(312) 742-2610

"My favorite parts of the day is rolling my bike onto the pavement in the morning and knowing that I am starting my day exercising and don't have to rely on a motor to get me to work."

Photo of Joshua Koonce

Joshua Koonce

Bicycle Program Intern
(312) 742-6288

"Whether for transportation, leisure, or both, biking is the premiere way to move around Chicago. I often find that arriving at a location by the power of my own two legs makes the city feel more personal."

Photo of Dave Miller

Dave Miller

Bikeways Traffic Engineer
(312) 742-7620

"In a world-class city like Chicago, the smart way to travel is by bicycle."

photo of Nick Puczkowskyj

Nick Puczkowskyj

Bikeways Technician
(312) 742-9067

"If riding bicycles is wrong I don't ever wanna be right!"

Photo of Jeffery Rhodes

Jeffery Rhodes

Safety and Education Program Coordinator
(312) 744-5645

"It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle."
—Ernest Hemingway

photo of Jack Ringness

Jack Ringness

Engineering Intern
(312) 742-9067

"Large population centers around the globe have embraced biking to reduce congestion and cut down on pollution.  If Chicago can do the same it can lead fellow North American cities into becoming more bicycle friendly."

Photo of Uzma Syed

Uzma Syed

Graphic Design Intern
(312) 742-9067

"I've taken small steps to get onto active transportation, by taking Metra to work, but I still haven't jumped on a bike yet."

Photo of Charlie Short

Charlie Short

Junior Ambassador Coordinator
(312) 744-8147

"Riding a bike in Chicago is better than peanut butter and sardines!"

Photo of Steven Vance

Steven Vance

Bike Parking Assistant & Abandoned Bike Coordinator
(312) 744-0513

"There is not a faster or more fun way of traveling in this city than by bicycle."

Issues about the website should be directed to Steven.

Photo of Matt Villanueva

Matt Villaneuva

Engineering Intern
(312) 742-9067

"If you're tired of starting your week waking up early, having your wallet stolen at the pump, idling in a jam or light and frantically trying to find a parking spot that's still about ten blocks away from your building, then grab a bike...what a better way to wake yourself up and de-stress as you pass through standstill traffic and park your bike in front of your destination."

Photo of Amanda Woodall racing

Amanda Woodall

Training and Enforcement Coordinator
(312) 744-0805

"I find riding my bike in this great city to be very liberating. Chicago's bike lanes and signage really helped me to get comfortable with street cycling. Because I can get around town by bike, I'm a happier urban dweller."

Photo of Janine Zimnie

Janine Zimnie

Bikeways Technician
(312) 742-9067

"When you get the irresistible craving for Super Dawg, there's no better way to get there than the Elston Avenue bike lane."

Photo of Frank Zurek

Frank Zurek

Engineering Intern
(312) 742-9067

"Bicycling in Chicago is great! I love arguing with my friends over why bikes are better then cars. Not only do you get to your destination quicker as you rush past lines of jammed cars in a wide open bike lane, bikes are also the only vehicle on the road with unlimited miles per gallon."

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