Rayan brings years of experience in environmental advocacy and policy to BikeWalkKC’s work to make Greater Kansas City a community where we are no longer required to drive to thrive.
I am excited to announce that Rayan Makarem has joined BikeWalkKC as the next leader of our public policy and advocacy work to make walking, bicycling, and transit simple solutions to complex problems of sustainability, equity, transportation, public health, economic development, and upward economic mobility.
Rayan is a strong advocate for the healthy living of our community. He understands the intricacy and complexity of local, state, and federal regulations, and their impact on the everyday lives of our neighborhoods.
With a master’s in environmental policy, and experience working at multiple non-profit organizations that address public health, transportation, and economic mobility, he works to promote community voices and make sure that policy is shaped by community needs and expertise. Rayan’s previous experience includes the Environment Protection Network, Clean Air Now in KCK, and Greenpeace.
Rayan moved to Kansas City in 2020, and outside of work, he enjoys going on hikes, cooking, traveling, and showing his daughter all the wonders that our world has to offer.
At BikeWalkKC Rayan will be our lead advocate at local City Halls, in Topeka and Jefferson City, and in Washington, DC. This year BikeWalkKC will be advocating for Vision Zero, Complete Streets, equitable reintroduction of bus fares, regional transit funding, and strong multi-modal funding in the next five-year federal transportation bill.
Welcome Rayan!
Eric Rogers
Executive Director and Co-Founder