The Bicycle Alliance of Washington has a new executive director, a name familiar to Alliance members and
others in the bicycle community: Barbara Culp.
Culp was previously the executive director from 1999 to 2007, when she left to travel and pursue related
career interests. She is leaving her job as bicycle transportation specialist with Seattle Children's Hospital
because she is excited by the new energy and direction of the Bicycle Alliance.
Before beginning the process to hire a new executive, the board of directors held a day-long retreat
to identify organizational strengths and goals and re-wrote the job description in light of current
staff roles and leadership needs. The need for a dynamic, experienced leader and advocate was identified.
The Bicycle Alliance received more than 40 qualified applicants for the position. Originally,
Barbara Culp was on the other side of the hiring process, serving on the search committee that
reviewed those applications and interviewed finalists.
"As the hiring process evolved, my interest in statewide advocacy, and my passionate commitment
to the Bicycle Alliance family of statewide advocates was revitalized. I wanted to be part of the
growing culture of all things bicycling to help address such critical issues as improving cycling
safety in our communities, climate change, and the public health obesity epidemic. The needs are
great and the time is right," said Culp.
Once Culp expressed interest in the job, "we knew she was the stand-out candidate we were looking for,"
said Bicycle Alliance board president Kristin Kinnamon, of Marysville. "The board's focus is on legislation
and public policy that will transform Washington into a state where everybody can bike. Barb proved she is an
expert and winning advocate for bicycling in her first stint as E.D. And now, with Barb's leadership,
we are positioned to do even more."
Culp rallied support to pass bills including the Cooper Jones Act that funds bicycle safety education,
Safe Routes to School grants for walking and bicycling, a safe passing law, and the Share the Road license plate.
Under her leadership, the Bicycle Alliance supported trail development and preservation around the state,
including the Fish Lake Trail in Spokane, the Klickitat Trail in southwest Washington, the
East Lake Sammamish Trail and the East King County rail corridor.
She also worked closely with the Washington State Department of Transportation on its bike event and
rumble strip policies, and on ensuring that state highway and bridgework accommodated bicycles.
Those same issues will be on her plate again as the Bicycle Alliance works to help the WSDOT implement
its state bike plan and live up to its goals of improving bike safety and increasing cycling
opportunities statewide.
Bicycle Alliance acting executive director Dave Janis will return to his staff role focusing on
Safe Routes to School and policy issues. He is on the board of Transportation Choices Coalition
and has worked for the Bicycle Alliance since 2002.
"Dave's work with TCC, the Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition and other partners on legislation
are major accomplishments of his time as our acting executive director," Kinnamon said. He also
managed the transition into expanded offices and a revitalized Bikestation in Pioneer Square [since renamed Seattle BIKE PORT Pioneer Square],
hired the organization's first development director and hired a new office and membership coordinator.
"Dave's steady leadership gave us the breathing room to move forward strategically as an organization.
The board is happy he will continue to bring his professionalism and his passion for bicycling to our efforts,"
Kinnamon said.
The Bicycle Alliance is a 20-year old, 3,000-member, statewide bicycle-advocacy organization with
its office located in historic Pioneer Square, Seattle, Washington. Staff, numerous volunteers,
and a board of 24 directors from all around the state support the executive director.
