Bend, OR, Tuesday, May 29, 2018 — The Bend Bikes Board of Directors has voted in Ariel Méndez as president of the board for a minimum one-year term beginning May 24, 2018. He replaces Nicholas Stevenson, who is moving out of Bend.
Méndez regularly commutes by bicycle as a part-time instructor at OSU-Cascades and full-time parent. He is passionate about making Bend’s streets safer so that more families feel comfortable riding bikes. “Bicycling is not only fun, it’s a great way to stay active,” he says. “And because it is such an efficient way to get around, it makes sense for Bend to invest in improving that infrastructure.”
Beyond his duties on the board, Méndez is a member of the Citywide Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) and the Bend Parks and Recreation District budget committee. He holds a PhD in political science from Stanford University.
Méndez joined Bend Bikes as a member of the board in 2016. “His contributions have demonstrated his commitment to furthering the mission of Bend Bikes,” says founder and past president Lucas Freeman. “He has the unanimous support of the board and we’re excited about the direction we’ll have under his stewardship.”
Bend Bikes is dedicated to making the bicycle a great option for everyday trips in Bend. As a grassroots nonprofit, its vision is for cyclists to feel safe on a comprehensive network of bicycle-friendly facilities throughout Bend. Its rides and events celebrate the inherently fun experience of bicycling while showing off some of the best routes in town.
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