Congratulations to our 2025 Advocacy and Education Award winners

We were thrilled to host the annual 2025 Advocacy and Education Awards at this year’s Summit, as it helped capture the unrivaled energy of celebrating our winners together as a community. If you missed it, a livestream recording is available, offering a glimpse of the festivities and a preview of 2026.

The 2025 award winners are an impressive group, making significant impacts in the lives of their neighbors and broader community. Their inspiring work, detailed below, is shaping the future of the bike movement by building a more impactful, inclusive, and Bicycle Friendly America for Everyone.

Bicycle Friendly America Leadership Award 

The Bicycle Friendly America Leadership Award honors civic, academic, and business leaders who work tirelessly to advance our shared goal: an America where bicycling is safe, comfortable, and accessible – for everyone. From mayors to public agency heads, from business innovators and university presidents—each year, this award recognizes the leadership of those who make change.

Our 2025 Award goes to Barbara McCann. 

What do you hope the future holds for the bike movement?

My hope for the future is that bicycling increases as a routine method of transportation, supported by complete streets that provide many types of people with a variety of ways to travel, and that use resources fairly because they are safe and welcoming for everyone.  You might call such streets diverse, equitable, and inclusive.  

How should advocates seize this moment to shape the future?

First, find ways to use the joy of bicycling to counteract the hatred we see today. Second, build local community and connections to build a world for better bicycling.

What was a recent moment of bike joy in your work?

I loved being able to bicycle along a causeway with Deputy Secretary Trottenberg on a trip we took to Miami – encouraging her to keep riding despite a climb and a hot day!

Advocacy Organization of the Year

This award goes to a bicycling and/or walking advocacy organization or club who, in the past year, made significant progress. Their leaders have worked tirelessly together to grow and strengthen their organization and fulfill their mission. The proof of their efforts is in the growth of their capacity, programs, membership and the victories they have achieved for biking and walking in their state/community. This award is about recognizing organizations that are inclusive, welcoming, and committed to growing bicycling.

Our 2025 Award goes to Wisconsin Bike Fed. 

What do you hope the future holds for the bike movement?

I hope the future of the bike movement sees bicycling recognized for the tremendous return on investment it can offer communities.  Wisconsin’s bicycling industry is second in the nation for the value it adds to the state’s economy, yet we are near to last in what we invest in the infrastructure needed to make our streets safe for people who bike and walk. The benefits of a cycling-friendly environment are clear—improved public health, stronger local economies, and more vibrant, connected communities. I hope we continue to move forward in the way we design our public spaces and how we value the people who use them. 

How should advocates seize this moment to shape the future?

If the winds are not at our back at the Federal level, advocates should seize this moment by focusing on community focused local advocacy. We need to change hearts and minds by improving bike and walk culture in places where people are most engaged—like neighborhoods and schools. In a time when the divide between opposing viewpoints is deeper than ever, maybe it’s through shared experience – like going on a bike ride – that we can find common ground. 

What is a recent moment of bike joy in your work?

Wisconsin received a record $210 million in Federal Redistribution funds in 2024. Wisconsin Bike Fed was asked to advise Wisconsin DOT on shovel-ready projects that were eligible for these funds – resulting in 49 grants to Transportation Alternatives, Congestion Mitigation, Carbon Reduction and Rail Crossing Safety projects. 

And also…in December Wisconsin Bike Fed’s Santa Cycle Rampage set a new record of over 2,000 registered riders joining us for the “world’s largest holiday-themed costume bike ride for charity”. The “ho ho hos” were deafening!

Advocate of the Year 

This award goes to a leader of a bicycling and/or walking advocacy organization who has shown tireless commitment to promoting bicycling and walking in their state/community. This person goes above and beyond the call of duty to transform their state/community into a great place for biking and walking. Their time, knowledge, creativity, and commitment are the highest standard of excellence exemplifying a role model for peers.

In 2025, the League gave two Advocate of the Year Awards, one to a professional advocate and one to a citizen advocate. 

Our 2025 Professional Advocate Award goes to Lee Lambert.

What do you hope the future holds for the bike movement? 

I hope for a future where using a bike as a means of transportation is practical, safe and accepted as a common means to get people where they want to go by the general public and policy makers.  That we build transportation systems that center the people who want, need or have to travel by bike. 

How should advocates seize this moment to shape the future? 

The threats at the federal level to biking/walking dollars is huge, given how reliant all communities across the US are on these infrastructure dollars. I see the opportunity as twofold. First, how do we sharpen the “why” of biking to those in power in Congress; our talking points need to change, and I think the movement benefits from staying nimble and connected about what resonates. Second, thinking beyond federal funding and policy, how do we work with champions at the state and locally to move issues.  

 What was a recent moment of bike joy in your work? 

Two weeks ago I was one of d 2,000 people on bikes who filled a public ferry in Seattle and travel across Puget Sound in the rain to Bainbridge Island to participate in our 53rd annual Chilly Hilly ride. The fact we can get thousands of people to bike together in February in cold and inclement weather is amazing, and it shows that if we create welcoming events and safe spaces the people will come.  

Our 2025 Citizen Advocate Award goes to Charlie Denney. 

Gail and Jim Spann Educator of the Year 

This award recognizes a person who has worked to elevate bike education in their state/community. We’re looking for educators who are current League Cycling Instructors, active in teaching classes in the past year, serve diverse communities, and have shown innovation in their education work.

Our 2025 Award goes to Megan Ramey. 

What do you hope the future holds for the bike movement?

I hope that in the future when families watch  E.T., Goonies or Stranger Things, those scenes of children riding bikes to solve problems, find friends or get to school, are mirrored out their front window. For this to happen, leaders need to champion childhood joy and independence through active transportation and funnel the money and vision to the engineers so they center children in the design of our streets.

The indicator of success is when it’s normal to see our streets full of free-range kids or moms riding side-by-side with their little ones.

How should advocates seize this moment to shape the future?

Get the kids in the street! Don’t think about it or ask permission, just do it. We advocates have all the reasons to act -“Anxious generation”, climate change and a health crisis. We have new tools like the Bike Bus and E-cargobikes and traditional tools like biking in PE class or after school clubs. Use these tools to get kids in the street. They will feel the joy and community and become your biggest cheerleaders. Consequently, your Principal or Mayor will be uplifted when the kids say things like “Viva la America” or sing and once in their bikes to Taylor Swift. This is subversive advocacy because it’s contagious and leads to action.

What was a recent moment of bike joy in your work?

As an educator who plays with kids using bikes, there are 1000s of joyful moments, especially when I teach older kids how to ride or play their favorite song for a bike ride.

As an advocate, I am addicted to winning grants, accruing almost $10 million in the few years that I have had this job. Two of these grants were synergistic for Odell a 3000-person fruit packing town. Oregon DOT (ODOT) won the Youth Active Transportation grant from the Governor’s Highway Safety Association and the Mid Valley Elementary parent-teacher organization won an ODOT grant. The result was a demonstration “Puma Path”, weekly walking bus, bike shed, fleet of learning bikes for kinder and fifth graders, new Smith helmets, Tern E-bike giveaway and Dero fix-it stations for the elementary and middle schools in town.

In terms of future funding, I was successful when inviting one of Oregon’s five Transportation Commissioners, Jeff Baker, to “be like JT (Timberlake)” and ride the bike bus with my dear friend Sam Balto. And now I consider Jeff my friend.

Susie Stephens Joyful Enthusiasm Award

This award commemorates Susie Stephens, one of the Alliance for Biking & Walking founders and an enduring inspiration for many members of the bicycle and pedestrian movement. The honor goes to an individual or group who carries on Susie’s passion for advocating for bicycling as a fun and economical means of transportation.

Our 2025 Award goes to Dorothy Wong.

What do you hope the future holds for the bike movement? 

The time is now.  Let’s have some fun!  Bicycle movement for everyone! Inspiring to see more people biking with more safe infrastructure and families and friends the bicycle brings us together… pure joy! 

How should advocates seize this moment to shape the future?

Be brave, bold, build coalitions, more people riding bikes, makes us stronger! Bring your passion and be the change! Build community, organize rides, advocate with schools, family, advocate for safe routes to schools and parks. Prioritize safe, inclusive streets!

What was a recent moment of bike joy in your work? 

Working with youth to educate and inspire from TK to High School and in December Altadena Snow Day brought our community together with snow and the Pop-Up Bike Park!

Katherine “Kittie” T. Knox Award

This award recognizes champions of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the bicycling movement. This award goes to an individual or group that has led in making bicycling more inclusive and representative and has worked to remove barriers to participation by underserved and underrepresented people in their community, state, or country.

Learn more about Kittie Knox and her advocacy for a more inclusive League and bike community.

Our 2025 Award goes to Rachel Olzer. 

What do you hope the future holds for the bike movement?

I envision a future where biking is truly accessible, welcoming, and safe for everyone. The bike movement must move beyond a narrow focus on infrastructure alone and embrace community-driven solutions that center the voices of all folks. I hope that the industry can see biking not just as a mode of transportation or recreation, but as a tool for social change—building stronger, healthier, and more connected communities. Ultimately, the future I envision is one where every person feels a sense of belonging in the cycling world, and the benefits of biking—economic, environmental, and personal—are equitably shared.

How should advocates seize this moment to shape the future?

Advocates must seize this moment by prioritizing equity in every facet of their work. Now is not the time to back-down. The moment calls for persisting in the face of fear. Keep it up and remember the joy is in the work!

What was a recent moment of bike joy in your work?

I organized a small ride with community folks on an unusually nice day last week and I was reminded of the beauty in small, community-focused organizing and how many ripple effects that has. It’s so important that we recognize that the depth of intervention is just as, if not more important than the breadth of intervention. 

Emerging Leader of the Year

This award is a special accolade for a young person who is new to the bicycling movement and has demonstrated exceptional and inspiring bicycle advocacy. Nominees have demonstrated leadership in their short tenure and show great potential to continue leading in the bicycling movement.

Our 2025 Award goes to the Hawai’i youth environmentalists. Read more about them on our blog » 

Club of the Year

This award is for a bicycle club that has done an excellent job at providing a great experience for its members and people who are new to bicycling. The goal of this award is to recognize clubs that do an exceptional job at integrating advocacy into club activities or supporting advocacy organizations while creating exceptional events for new and experienced bicyclists. This award is about recognizing clubs that are inclusive, welcoming, and committed to growing bicycling.

Our 2025 Award goes to Potomac Pedalers. 

What do you hope the future holds for biking in America?

As a club we hope biking in America becomes more inclusive, more accessible, and safer for all.

How should bicyclists and advocates seize this moment to shape the future?

Be the future you wish to see: show that joy and cycling go hand-in-hand, and that this joy is attainable to all even in times of chaos and duress.

What was a recent moment of bike joy in your work?

Hosting our annual Ride Leader Symposium brought together veteran ride leaders with folks who want to learn the ropes of leading safe, effective, and enjoyable group rides – it was a meeting of generations and full of joy.

Youth Empowerment Award 

This award recognizes a leader who has dedicated their time and energy to mentoring and empowering young people to see the benefits of bicycling as a lifelong skill. This inspiring mentor has provided guidance, support, and opportunities for young people to develop their skills, gain confidence, and make a positive impact on their communities. Through their mentorship, they have helped to cultivate a new generation of passionate bicycling advocates.

Our 2025 Award goes to Gabrielle Rossi of Girls in Gear.

What do you hope the future holds for the bike movement?

From restrictive reproductive rights policies to systemic barriers in education and employment, the independence of girls is constantly under threat. By fostering self-reliance, resilience, and decision-making skills at Girl in Gear, we empower girls to boldly take control of their futures. The act of riding a bike is a powerful symbol of freedom, teaching girls that they are capable, strong, and in charge of their own paths.

How should advocates seize this moment to shape the future?

At Girls in Gear, we are working at the intersection of youth development, public health, and gender equity to break down systemic barriers that limit girls’ access to biking. We are building a future where girls are not only learning how to ride bikes, but are also becoming strong, confident leaders who understand their worth and are prepared to navigate the world with courage and conviction.

What was a recent moment of bike joy in your work?

Every time a girl pedals on her own for the first time, with her entire team cheering her on, or when she confidently leads a group ride after spending a season in the back of the pack – it fills me with pure joy. But it’s not just about biking. When a girl applies what she’s learned through Girls in Gear to become a better student, daughter, or friend, it reminds me why we do this work. Life is challenging, and being a girl in today’s world is even tougher. While we’re shaping the next generation of pedal-pushers, we’re also infusing their lives with joy, optimism, and the courage to face any challenge that comes their way in a world that too often questions who they are, why they matter, and what they stand for.

Paul Dudley White Award 

This award, the League’s highest honor, recognizes an individual whose commitment, vision, and inspiration have resulted in significant improvements to the world of bicycling and the needs of American Bicyclists. Dr. Paul Dudley white was a world renowned cardiologist and cycling enthusiast. He cycled daily and realized the positive effects of cycling exercise on cardiovascular development. He pioneered safe cycling campaigns and opened the first modern cycle path on Nantucket Island in 1960. Dr. White authored Cycling in the School Fitness Programs and became an evangelist for health through cycling in the United States.

Our 2025 Award goes to Senator Ben Cardin.