Bike Champion of the Year Winners Announced for 2025

Bay Area Bike to Wherever Days (BTWD) have announced the winners of the 2025 Bike Champion of the Year awards. Selected from public nominations, these champions are recognized for inspiring bicycling in their communities across the Bay Area’s nine counties. 

“Every year we are amazed by the passion and dedication of the Bike Champions,” said MTC Director Andrew Fremier. “Their stories demonstrate how individuals can spark positive change through commitment to active transportation, advocacy, and community leadership.” 

            The 2025 Bike Champion of the Year award winners are:

• Alameda County: Rick Rickard – A cycling advocate in the East Bay for over 50 years, Rick led Bike East Bay, advanced the Bay Trail, and promoted adaptive biking through the Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP).
• Contra Costa County: Teresa Datar - Commutes nearly 70 miles daily by bike and BART, supports local bike clubs through mobile maintenance, and pushes for safe, accessible cycling infrastructure for all levels of riders.
• Contra Costa County (In Memoriam): Bill Pinkham – A beloved Richmond resident and community pillar known for his insightful, solution-oriented advocacy.
• Marin County: Chuck Ford – Lifelong bike commuter and outdoor educator who helped found Trips for Kids and still rides weekly with the Old Spokes.
• Napa County: T.C. Hulsey - A 60-plus year cycling advocate who launched Napa’s Vine Trail’s Ambassador program and continues to inspire with his energy and positivity. Riding gave him freedom as a child with a disability—and now he inspires others to find that same joy. Eric Heitz and Louise Owens - Brought the Outride Foundation’s Riding for Focus program to Calistoga, promoting bike safety and mental wellness among 120 students annually.
• San Francisco County: Tony Guan - An 8th grader at MLK Jr. Middle School, teaches 6th graders bike safety and maintenance, maintains the school’s bike fleet, and inspires others with his enthusiasm and knowledge.
• San Mateo County: Adina Levin - Executive Director of Seamless Bay Area, promoting integrated active and public transportation across all nine counties.
• Santa Clara County: Han Yeung – Founded a student-run bike club in Saratoga, encourages youth cycling, and sets a personal example of endurance and advocacy.
• Solano County: Lamont Jones II - Heart health advocate and passionate commuter and centurion cyclist who rides in honor of his son and inspires other daily through social media.
• Sonoma County: Matt Fritzinger – Founded the NorCal High School Cycling League and the Blue-Tailed Skinks Mountain Biking Club, expanding youth and family cycling. 

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) will recognize all 2025 winners during its meeting on May 28, both in person and virtually. Each honoree will receive:

• An engraved plaque
• A signed certificate from MTC
• Prizes from Sports Basement and Mike’s Bikes 

Full winner profiles and more information can be found at

BayAreaBikeToWork.com.

Bay Area Bike Challenge Begins May 1.

Bay Area Bike to Wherever Days kicks off with the highly anticipated Bay Area Bike Challenge, a month-long event encouraging riders to log their trips for a chance to win prizes. This year’s collective goal is 120,000 miles - quadrupling last year’s target of 30,000-mile target, which was exceeded with 110,000+ miles logged.

Participants can compete across 12 prize categories, including: 

• Most miles ridden
• Most creative route
• Random prize drawings are open to anyone who rides at least once during the month.

“We’re excited to expand our Bike Challenge this year to make it accessible to all riders,” said Marcella Aranda, BTWD Program Manager. “The celebratory spirit of Bay Area Bike to Wherever Days shows that cycling is for everyone.”

How to Join:

1. Download the Ride with GPS platform
2. Log your bike rides between May 1-31
3. Visit BayAreaBikeToWork.com to:

• Learn More and Join the Bay Area Bike Challenge
• Sign up for the Bay Area Bike Challenge on Ride with GPS
• Pledge to Ride this Month

Bay Area Bike to Wherever Days is presented by MTC (the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area), 511 (the region’s traveler information system), and Amazon. BTWD 2025 also receives regional support from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and BART, as well as from many sponsors at the local level. Prizes for the Bike Champion of the Year winners were donated by MTC,  Sports Basement and Mike’s Bikes.