Nicole Freidman, Bike Czar Leaves For Seattle Active Transportation Initiative

Nicole Friedman the long serving (two terms actually) bike czar is leaving (for good this time), heading to Seattle. I knew and worked with Nicole personally and I have to say she was a one woman force for change in this city. She expertly navigated the tricky political streets of Boston and brought a heap of good to our city. With the new mayor in office, and his unproven record around bikes I am sad to see a known ally leave, but I wish her the best and this city is all the better for her time here.

Thank you for your hard work Nicole, we will miss you!

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This is from her announcement about her leaving:

Dear friends,

As you may or may not know, my final day with the City of Boston will be March 27, 2015. I have decided to take a position with the City of Seattle leading their Active Transportation initiative.

When I began working for the City in 2007, Mayor Menino pledged to transform Boston into a world-class cycling city. Under Mayor Walsh, the city has continued to move Boston forward for cycling. There will be an exciting announcement about Commonwealth Avenue on Tuesday, cycletracks on Connect Historic Boston should break ground in the spring, and New Balance Hubway is expanding in Boston in late summer 2015.

I am proud of how much we have accomplished together for cycling here in Boston. Since launching we have added 92 miles of bike lanes and nearly 2,000 bike racks. We have an award winning Community Biking Program which has donated 4,015 bikes and trained 23,000 youth. And of course, the New Balance Hubway system has become a new Boston institution.

Kim Foltz from Boston Bikes will be the immediate point person on issues related to bicycling, supported by a remarkable, dedicated, enthusiastic and tireless Boston Bikes team that includes Program Managers Najah and Jenny, mechanics Nate and Jonat, interns Meghann and Mar, and our many youth cycling instructors. They are the quiet champions behind Boston Bikes’ success.

I am honored and humbled to have had a chance to serve you and all the residents of Boston these last 8 years. I hope I have contributed to making Boston a great place to live, work, and visit. Since many of you have become friends over the years, please do stay in touch. My personal email is thefirstsnerf at gmail dot com.

With utmost respect and appreciation,

Nicole Freedman

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