Photo by: Adrian Lucas
The Florida Bicycle Association is led by a forward-looking team that is committed to creating safer, low-stress, and accessible bicycling across the state by shaping policy, improving infrastructure, and influencing behavior through advocacy, education, and strategic partnerships.
Meet the Team
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Richard Garrett
President, Board of Directors
Rich works to save lives and expand low-stress bike networks across Sarasota and Manatee counties. As Vice Chair of the Sarasota-Manatee MPO Destination Zero Committee, he bridges community needs with local government planning. From leading youth bike safety rodeos to organizing the annual Ride of Silence, Rich connects grassroots education with regional policy. He was recognized as the Gulf Safe Streets Vision Zero Hero (2020) and the Florida Bicycle Association’s Cycling Advocate of the Year (2023).
email: president@floridabicycle.org
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Eugene Rider
Vice President, Board of Directors
Eugene leverages over 30 years of corporate leadership to build safer, low-stress cycling environments statewide. As FBA Vice President and a certified League Cycling Coach, he leads high-impact programs like CycleFest and the Ride of Silence while directing safety education that has reached over 4,000 people. Combining executive program management experience from Fortune 500 companies with grassroots community outreach, Eugene creates accountable safety networks that protect people on bicycles.
email: VP@FloridaBicycle.org
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Michelle Avola-Brown
Secretary, Board of Directors
Michelle has led the Naples Pathways Coalition since 2006, dedicating her career to stopping pedestrian and cycling fatalities across Florida. After surviving a serious crash caused by an aggressive driver, she turned a life-altering experience into a lifelong mission for complete, connected networks. Michelle spearheads major statewide and regional safety initiatives, including the 100+ mile Paradise Coast Trail and the Hands-Free Florida campaign. She holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida.
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Cindy Penn
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Cindy Lenti Penn is an urban planner with professional experience in land use, development review, and active transportation initiatives. She brings a planning-focused perspective to bicycle and trail advocacy, with an emphasis on safety, connectivity, and integrating bicycling into comprehensive planning practices statewide.
email: treasurer@floridabicycle.org
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Alan Amidon
Member, Board of Directors
Alan is an Associate Transportation Planner in the Safety Practice Area and serves as the Active Transportation Strategic Initiative Coordinator at Cambridge Systematics. He currently serves on the Tallahassee Leon County Bicycle Working Group and Board Member of Sustainable Tallahassee. Alan brings a unique perspective to planning and safety from his time working as a bicycle mechanic and sales associate at a Local Bicycle Shop and as a bicycle courier. He thoroughly enjoys traveling to play in Hardcourt Bike Polo tournaments and riding the clay roads around the Red Hills Region.
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Maggie Ardito
Member, Board of Directors
Maggie is the co-founder and President of the St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop Alliance, Maggie has dedicated her career to establishing safe, connected multiuse trails and equitable transportation options across Volusia County and beyond. A retired tech executive and government contracting CEO, she combines strategic management expertise with deep regional relationships, including her leadership on the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor Executive Board. Maggie and her husband, Jim, frequently ride international destination routes to evaluate and bring world-class safety models home to Florida.
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Jonathan P. Gilbert
Member, Board of Directors
Jon brings over 30 years of supply chain and transportation planning expertise to his role leading FBA’s regional advocacy. As Principal of Gilbert Sachs Group, he has directed complex optimization and logistics projects across North America and served on Palm Beach County MPO initiatives. An active cyclist who has logged over 5,000 miles and six long-distance tours in recent years, Jon combines practical riding experience with deep technical knowledge to advocate for safe, connected networks across Southeast Florida.
email: Jon@floridabicycle.org
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Adrian Lucas
Program Coordinator
Adrian is a lifelong cyclist who is passionate about creating better conditions for cyclists and pedestrians. With a background in corporate technology, communications, and training, he leads the Florida Bicycle Associations daily activities including marketing, communications, technology and program management.
email: adrian@floridabicycle.org
Join Our Talent Pool
We currently do not have any open positions, but we are always looking to connect with passionate individuals who want to make Florida better for people who bicycle.
If you’re based in Florida and interested in potential future opportunities with the Florida Bicycle Association, we encourage you to send us:
✅ A cover letter explaining why you’re interested in joining our team and what makes you a great fit.
✅ Your resume, which we’ll keep on file for future opportunities.
In the meantime, you can sign up to volunteer and get to know us while helping to move the movement forward! Volunteering is a great way to contribute, build connections, and gain experience with our advocacy efforts.
Thank you for your interest in making Florida a safer, more bike-friendly place!
Advisory Council and Workgroups
The Florida Bicycle Association staff and board members wish to thank the dozens of committed and knowledgeable individuals who served on the Association’s advisory council for numerous years. The role of the council has evolved in accordance with the Association’s bylaws and advisors now are engaged through workgroups that help to evaluate and resolve specific challenges, such as roadway design standards and public policy priorities.
Gratitude goes most especially to the following advisors:
Roger McVeigh, Key West, Former Board Treasurer
Conroy Jacobs, AICP, Palm Bay, Former Board Director
Gail Woods, PE, Orlando, Former Board Director
Hugh Aaron, Tallahassee, League Cycling Instructor and Volunteer Ride Director for Capital City Cyclists
Jason Aufdenberg, Daytona Beach, River to Sea TPO Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee Chair and Board Director of St Johns River-to-Sea Loop Alliance
Chris Burns, Jacksonville, Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee Chair
Julie Christesen, Tallahassee
Dan Connaughton, Gainesville, Former Director of the Florida Traffic & Bicycle Safety Education Program (FTBSEP)
Jim Dodson, Clearwater, Personal Injury Lawyer and Past Secretary, FBA
David Henderson, Palm Harbor, Miami-Dade County MPO (Retired)
Patty Huff, Everglades City, Past President, FBA
Henry Lawrence, Panama City, Past President, and Founding Member, FBA
Chris LeDew, City of Jacksonville Chief of Traffic Engineering
Yvonne Nyakana, Miami, cycling enthusiast
J. Steele Olmstead, Tampa, Past President, FBA
Paula Saracki, Oldsmar, Impact Grafx and Designer of The Messenger