BikeWalkKC Program Director joining the Public Works Department at Kansas City, MO
Maggie Green has been with BikeWalkKC since Co-founder Eric Bunch recruited her for volunteer work in 2011. She grew alongside what was once a fledgling nonprofit and excelled at every stage of her journey. From Women Bike KC, to Safe Routes to School, to Transportation Equity programs, to the Aetna Research Project, Maggie has led important initiatives that propelled the organization to the upper echelons of bike/ped advocacy organizations.
Today is her last day with BikeWalkKC, and while we know she will do great things at her new position with KCMO Public Works, we couldn’t send her off without some memories and well wishes from her colleagues:
Eric Bunch, Policy Director and Co-Founder.
I have many memories of working with Maggie. It’s hard to pick just one. But I would say that teaching Maggie to drive a manual transmission might be my most interesting one — the irony is not lost on me that my favorite memory of our time working together at BikeWalkKC involves an internal combustion engine.
Anyway, because the training vehicle was a 20-foot, diesel box truck the situation was a bit stressful. Before long though, she was driving the “Bikemobile” like a pro. This was very early in her BikeWalkKC tenure — she was a part-time instructor at the time — but it was a sure sign she was going to be a very important part of the organization’s future. It was an early display of Maggie’s persistence through adversity as well as her willingness to try new things. She was also assertive and honest through the process. And sure enough, she used these strengths to become a critical part of the growth of BikeWalkKC. Without Maggie’s unique balance of strategic leadership, effective communication, and impeccable organization we would not be where we are today.
It’s been a joy to watch Maggie grow from a volunteer right of college into a high-performing nonprofit leader. Under her leadership, BikeWalkKC’s Safe Routes to School and Bicycle Education programs have grown to become some of the largest and most impactful such programs in the United States. Having Maggie inside City Hall will be tremendous for the cause as KCMO begins working to implement a new bike baster plan and a $150 million sidewalk reconstruction program.
Even though I haven’t been with BWKC for too long and I haven’t worked with Maggie a ton, what I have appreciated the most is the tone she set for the whole education team. From seeing her arrive on her bike to my interview, to her passion for her work, Maggie always “walks the walk,” and makes everyone else want to do the same. I have no doubt that the team she has recruited for the education side of BWKC will continue her legacy…and also find as many excuses as possible to include her on future
projects between BikeWalkKC and the Public Works department. Best of luck on all of your future career and life endeavors, Maggie!I will never forget when Maggie decided to wear a leather hat to work Tour de Bier all day in the heat, and then was delirious from the heat to the point where BikeWalkKC staff had to lock her in an air-conditioned room in the back of Knuckleheads. Literally a hot mess, but all was good in the end!
Karen Campbell, Director of Development and Communications:
I knew from the first day I interviewed at BikeWalkKC that Maggie and I would become friends, no matter what. Maggie has this incredible combination of drive, energy, humor, compassion, and vision that I was instantly drawn to her. I remain impressed and inspired by her, and we regularly exchange greetings of, “love you, love your work.” Some of my favorite memories of Maggie are of course on-bike: she has always encouraged and supported every single person who showed an inkling of a desire to ride, no matter how inexperienced or unsure they may be (like I was). I’ll never forget being a Karl-and-Maggie sandwich as we rode on Ward Parkway through the Plaza a couple of years ago! Watching her present at the Women’s Bike Summit or showing a kid how to change a flat always brought joy to my heart.
Laura Steele, Education Program Manager:Maggie has been such a professional role model for me, and while I wasn’t quite ready to see her go, I know she will meet the challenge of her new position head on and will find a way to improve it. It’s been fascinating to watch her work her magic: whether it’s been with a group of elementary students or at a high-level stakeholder meeting. I feel her true leadership lies in her ability to balance strategy, cultivation and passion for the mission with the utmost of elegance and professionalism. Best of luck, I’ll miss you so much Maggie!
Nicole Fitzgerald, Instructor:
Your passion and personal drive to change your community is a true inspiration to Alex and I.
Vista High School for their after-school Bike Club. We rode in the rain that day and you rode the whole way with the bike trailer hooked up to your bike. I loved that wet rainy ride! You, Dave, and I had one heck of an adventure navigating wet roads and enjoying lighthearted conversation.I met the Maggie and the rest of the Velo Vixens when I first moved to Kansas City. These women rode their bikes where they wanted and how they wanted, which for Maggie often meant a dress and enormous platform wedges. She is fierce advocate for transportation equity, a passionate educator, a compassionate human being, and a very stylish bicyclist. My absolute best to Maggie on her new adventure, where she is sure to meet every opportunity with her signature courage, vision, and fortitude.
Maggie really is someone who believes in making sure that people feel safe and encouraged when riding a bike. When I got my own after a few months here, she offered to ride with me to the office so I wouldn’t have to do it alone, basically 3 miles out of the way!
Suzanne Hogan, Instructor:This picture was taken years ago (not sure when exactly?) at the Women’s Bike Summit, before I worked at BikeWalkKC. I was just volunteering at the event as a mechanic from 816 Bicycle Collective. I remember when I first saw this picture how strong and awesome Maggie looked and thinking, “Damn, Maggie is one of those women that makes things happen! I’m so proud to know her.”
Maggie is a great inspiration to everyone. She has been the one to always smile and greet everyone every day, she is always there to help whenever she can, and never says quit. She is a major part of what BikeWalkKC is today and she will be greatly missed.
Paige Jones, Bike Share Fleet Technician:
Take a single step, on any given day, through the doors of BikeWalkKC and it will not take long to see and feel the enormous impact Maggie has on the organization. Often times, her presence is felt even earlier, at the bike rack. The black Surly with the lime green handlebars seems to, quite often, be the first bike to arrive each morning.
In the short time I have known Maggie, it has become abundantly clear what an absolute force she is. She leads with such confidence and clarity; it is truly inspiring to witness. Her passion and knowledge is unparalleled and will be greatly missed. As she moves on to the next adventure, we will certainly feel her absence, but the foundations she has set will continue to inspire, motivate, and live on for so many years to come.
Congratulations Maggie! I wish you the best as you move on to this new, exciting chapter!
In October 2016, students in the East High School Bike Club rode to the 18th and Vine Jazz district with City Councilman Jermaine Reed. A few days later, Councilman Reed shared his experience with the students as he led a committee vote for $1.2 million of funding for new bicycle infrastructure. For me, this story encapsulates so much of what makes Maggie’s work at BikeWalkKC important and special.