The Sportsbackers have hired Max Hepp-Buchanan to be their new Bike evangelist, aka. “Bike Walk RVA Director.”  We are hoping and wishing and praying that Max is a game changer for the RVA bike scene.

By coincidence I ran into him and his wife when he was in town interviewing and was able to briefly chat about Richmond and their potential move.  Clearly, I made a good impression and will take full credit for him deciding to come.  Max has his work cut out for him, but this city is in desperate need of his expertise and advocacy and we are pumped that he is here…

From the Sportsbackers Press Release: 

“In his time at the Cascade Bike Club, Hepp-Buchanan acted as the lead on the Seattle Bike Master Plan, served as the co-chair of the Seattle’s Bicycle Advisory Board, and created the Advocacy Leadership Institute to train interested citizens to be grassroots advocates.

In his role as Bike Walk RVA Director, Hepp-Buchanan will advocate and mobilize support to encourage the construction of more safe, convenient, and comfortable places for everyone to ride a bike. He will develop and maintain relationships with key local government officials, bike organizations, transportation officials, and others interested in building improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. He will also coordinate and organize support for annual programs that encourage biking and walking like a regional Bike Summit and an Open Streets event.”

Last week I wrote about Richmond’s need for a Bike Alliance ,to bring together the different cycling groups to promote and support a more bike friendly city.  When I read Max’s final blog post for the Cascade Bicycle Club, I was totally psyched and couldn’t help but think that Max could play a huge role in making a bike alliance a reality.

Welcome Max!