The Boston Cyclists Union’s first five years have shown amazing growth, culminating in some incredible achievements fixing bikes and fixing streets. The Union played a significant role in bringing the City of Boston from worst cycling city in the country status into an innovative leader in bike planning and policy. I have worked very hard and I’ve also enjoyed every minute of it, and most of all getting to know all of you.

My passion is to influence positive change in the city I love, and hopefully to influence others around the world to do the same in their own hometowns. With the victories on Comm Ave. and Vision Zero that you and I played a strong role in, we’ve entered a new and interesting era for bike advocacy in Boston–one where the precedents are on the ground and many of the administrative tools we will need to create a far safer and more enjoyable city are falling into place.

These developments and the Bike Union’s strong framework for the Bikeways for Everybody and Vision Zero campaigns create a natural opportunity for new leadership at the Bike Union. They also give me an opportunity to pursue exciting new ideas on how I can be even more effective at creating change in our region.

While there is no specific timeframe for me passing the baton, the board and I are working together on a nationwide search for a new Executive Director. We’re looking for a person who has the passion and skillset required to take this wonderful, scrappy little organization with a big footprint into the future–toward new and fascinating challenges. Meanwhile, the Bike Union will continue to teach bike repair, build the Bikeways for Everybody campaign, and advocate new strategies for Vision Zero. I will remain director of the Union until we have further news to announce.

Rest assured that even after I move on, the Bike Union will remain committed to focusing primarily on the City of Boston in the core of our service area, which, thanks to our support and to the incredible work of the Walsh Administration, is emerging as a national leader on bike safety. Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville, as always, are within our sights as well.

I welcome your calls and communications as I consider my next steps, and I encourage all of you to keep the Bike Union in your hearts when it comes time to renew your membership, make a donation or volunteer. When the time comes for me to leave, undoubtedly there will be a party invite in your inbox! The Bike Union’s power has always come not from me, but from you, our supporters, and I thank your for that support.

I love you all and ¡Viva la Bike Union!

Sincerely,

Pete Stidman

P.S. (from the Board of Directors) The Board wishes to thank Pete Stidman for his tremendous hard work, inexhaustible efforts, and myriad achievements in building the Boston Cyclists Union from scratch. In just a few short years, he has made it into a respected, informed, and constructive voice for advancing our mission of creating a healthier, more livable Boston region through promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation. The Bike Union’s mission is of course part of his own personal mission, and we look forward to his continuing help and participation in our organization as well as in the city and region.