2024 WABA Awards

WABA is hosting the annual WABA awards on October 9th, from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Lost Generation Brewing Company in Washington, DC.

The WABA Awards are an opportunity for members of our broad biking community to come together to celebrate the people and campaigns across our region that make bicycling great. 

This event is a recognition of the amazing work of neighbors, instructors, advocates, and elected officials across the region who continue to build momentum to create a region where anyone — any age, ability, background, or zip code — can get around safely, comfortably, and with joy!

Join us to celebrate progress and our awardees!

Join us in applauding the 2024 WABA Awardees:

Public Leadership Awards

Prince George’s County Councilmember Eric Olson

We applaud Councilmember Olson’s leadership and dedication to improving the safety, comfort, and inclusivity of biking through the Walkable Urban Streets Act, advancing important road safety projects like the Trolley Trail, and supporting community-led efforts. 

Montgomery County Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez

We commend Councilmember Fani-Gonzalez’s leadership and dedication to bringing attention to the need for equitable and inclusive multi-modal transportation including by engaging top leaders at the Maryland Department of Transportation, advancing important road safety projects, and supporting community efforts.

Community Advocate Awards

Chris Slatt, Sustainable Mobility for Arlington County (Susmo)

Chris is a knowledgeable and approachable community leader who creates easy opportunities for residents to weigh in on policies and infrastructure projects and to connect with candidates for the Arlington County Board, among other efforts to get “more butts on bikes”. Under Chris’s leadership, Susmo is a force in Arlington advocating for the safety, comfort, and inclusivity of biking and sustainable mobility. 

Dan Behrend, RISE Prince George’s; Bike Maryland; Friends of the Greenbelt East Trail

Dan brings data analysis, project expertise, and thoughtful advocacy to efforts across Maryland. He’s directly played a role in improving the safety, comfort, and inclusivity of biking by diving into the data to propose improvements to policies and infrastructure projects, engaging youth and other community members as an instructor, helping to lead local (RISE Prince George’s, Greenbelt East Trail) and state campaigns (Bike Maryland), and many more. 

Jack Koczela Trail Champion Award

David Daddio, National Park Service

David’s efforts exemplify Jack Koczela’s legacy and love for trails. David played a crucial role in advancing the regional trail network, from pushing for individual trail improvements, creating vital connections, and connecting key stakeholders across jurisdictions. His efforts have contributed to more projects than we can list, ranging from Beach Drive, the Anacostia River Trail, the 15^th Street cycletrack, and the rehabilitation of the Capital Crescent Trail, and Mount Vernon Trail. 

WABA Business Leader of the Year Award

Baked by Yael, represented by Yael Krigman

We applaud Yael, and her business Baked by Yael, for their leadership as a local business to stand-up for safer streets, especially for Connecticut Avenue NW. The voices of local leaders across the community, especially from local businesses, carry important weight with decision-makers. Thank you for standing up for safer streets for your customers, your staff, and our community.

Heart & Soul Award

Bega Memorial Fund represented by Linda Fienberg, Lane Blumenfeld, and Jeffrey Bauman

We thank the Bega Memorial Fund for channeling heartbreak into action. Established by Shawn Blumenfeld’s family, the Bega Memorial Fund for Bicycling Safety, brings bike education classes to Prince George’s County and supports advocacy work for safer streets in Maryland.

Known as “Bega” in the bicycling community, Shawn was struck and killed by a motorist in March 2022 in Frederick County, MD, while doing what he loved: biking. Messenger, mechanic, racer, team manager, event promoter, coach – Shawn did everything there was to do in cycling.  He was an enthusiastic supporter of all bicyclists, whether they were professional or recreational riders, and a tireless advocate for bike safety.

WABA Educator of the Year Award

Tim Pierce

Tim is the embodiment of “the joy of bicycling”. Tim just can’t contain his love for biking, and sharing that love with others. It bubbles up out of him when he is teaching someone to ride for the first time. You can hear the enthusiasm in his voice when he is explaining the mechanics of shifting, or demonstrating the importance of a quick stop. And you can feel his love for what he does radiate out of him any time you have the pleasure to teach with him. 

Biking for All Award

Keshia Roberson, Major Knox Adventures

Keshia is known across many in the biking community – and everyone would agree that her passion and determination to make biking accessible, inclusive, and joyful are always front and center. Among her efforts we want to especially call out her leadership of Major Knox Adventures and the 1928 Legacy Tour, organizing the Chocolate City Ride, supporting youth cyclists, investigating and sharing the stories of Black cyclists, and so much more, demonstrate why she deserves the Biking for All Award.

WABA Super Volunteer Awards

Lesly Jones

We celebrate Lesly for continuing to bring joy and enthusiasm to our events. She is a wonderful role model, especially for our youngest riders, including at the Bloom Ride and Ward 5 Family Bike rides. We wouldn’t be able to successfully host our events – or bring as much bike joy – to the community without her support.

Gbenga Taylor

Gbenga has been an all-star ride marshal for more than a decade! In fact, it’s hard to think of a time when WABA hosted the 50 States Ride without his support on the route. We continue to be grateful for his consistency, enthusiasm, and ever-present bike joy and thank him for years of support to the biking community.

This event is not a  fundraiser for WABA, but we recommend a $10 optional donation with your event registration to help us offset the cost of the event.