The Board of Directors of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia announces with mixed emotions the departure of our long-time Executive Director, Alex Doty. Next month, Doty will leave the Bicycle Coalition after 13 wonderful and productive years to head the League of American Bicyclists in Washington, DC.
Having our Executive Director tapped to lead a national organization demonstrates the kind of extraordinary reputation the Bicycle Coalition enjoys both in the Greater Philadelphia Region and around the country. His move to the national level is a huge endorsement of what he and his team have accomplished for cycling and cyclists here in Philadelphia. Alex will now become the third Bicycle Coalition leader to head a national organization: Breen Goodwin, our former Education Director, leads the Alliance for Biking and Walking; and Hans Van Naerrssen, a former Bicycle Coalition board member, served as President of the League of American Bicyclists through 2013.
When Alex began at the Coalition in 2003, he was one of just two staff members. Under his leadership, 20 people are now employed and Philadelphia is the most-biked big city in the United States. During his tenure, our region has enjoyed many improvements to the cycling experience: hundreds of miles of bike trails developed, buffered bike lanes on Spruce and Pine with more to come, Indego Bike Share, the construction of the spectacular Boardwalk on the Schuylkill River, and education programs for both new and experienced cyclists, to name a few.
We wish Alex the best in his future endeavors. Sarah Clark Stuart, who has served as Deputy Director since 2006, will take over as Acting Executive Director in the interim. Sarah has served a key role in our numerous victories, including the inception and creation of the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk, and The Circuit.
The BCGP board is fully committed to a strong and bright future for our organization and we want you to know that we will work diligently to chart that path forward. We are very appreciative of all of our members and supporters and look forward to continuing our relationship with you in the years to come.
-Leslye Silver
Chair, Board of Directors
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia