Cynthia Rose, the head of the local advocacy group SM Spoke, is a finalist for “Advocate of the Year” from the Alliance for Bicycling and Walking (the Alliance). The Alliance is a nation-wide bicycling advocacy organization.
Rose is joined by nine other advocates as finalists for this award including another Southern California bicycle advocate, Sam Ollinger the executive director of Bike San Diego. The award will be announced on March 3 in Washington, D.C. at the National Bike Summit.
The Alliance for Walking and Bicycling has strong praise for Rose. Via the announcement of their nominations:
As Director of Santa Monica Spoke, Cynthia has worked tirelessly to make Santa Monica a better place to bike, walk, and live – all in an unpaid volunteer capacity. As a founder, she has built SM Spoke into a highly respected voice for change via numerous local and regional alliances. The organization has become a key partner for the city, credited with playing a key role in the creation of the city’s Bicycle Action Plan. Cynthia has also been at the forefront of forming the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition’s Local Chapter Program, of which SMSpoke is the inaugural chapter. The Local Chapter Program is key in reaching all 88 municipalities in vast Los Angeles County.
Santa Monica Next wishes Rose, Ollinger and all the nominees the best of luck.
(Full Disclosure: I am one of three people that nominated Rose for this award.)
