SVBC Member Spotlight: Kim Walesh, City of San Jose
[facebook][retweet]Kim Walesh is Director of Economic Development and Deputy City Manager for the City of San Jose, and since 2012, she has also been a member of Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition. Kim took some time from her busy schedule to answer some questions about her bicycling habits, and how the City of San Jose views bicycling as tool for creating a healthy economy.Will you join Kim and the other 2,200 members of SVBC? Now is the best time to do so. Join or renew your membership during our current membership drive, and be entered into a drawing for a Pure Fix Cycles Fixed Gear Bike, a one month couples membership at CrossFit San Jose, or two Belay Lessons from Planet Granite.How did you get introduced to Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition?I was introduced to SVBC more than 10 years ago when our Office of Economic Development/Cultural Affairs got involved attracting the Amgen Tour of California to come through San Jose. We wanted to make sure this was a good idea, and to ensure that the event connected to local interests and interests. Though I’ve always loved to ride my bike, at the time I wasn’t aware of the extensive bike community here and the diverse, beautiful bike culture and bike heritage. My eyes were really opened.What kind of activities and trips do you use your bicycle for?I ride to meetings, events, and errands Downtown and in Japantown from our house in Naglee Park. I love to ride with a group of women friends (aka the “Biker Babes”) led by my bike hero Candice Stein when I can take the occasional Friday off. On weekends, I love to ride the Guadalupe Trail or Coyote Creek Trail for exercise and think-time.You are with the City of San Jose's Office of Economic Development. How does your department view bicycling as a tool for economic development in San Jose?Ultimately, economic development is about attracting and retaining talented people in our community—people who have lots of other less-expensive and interesting options about where to live. Talented, hardworking, creative people are why companies start up and locate in a particular community. People are attracted to lifestyle, to opportunities to socialize with interesting others, and to an authentic community ‘vibe.’ I support bicycling as a tool for economic development because our growing bicycling community and infrastructure help differentiate San Jose as a place to live, work, and visit. At the same time, bicycling builds a stronger sense of community among current residents. Similar to my experience with music and the arts, bicycling through public spaces can connect us as humans across divides of generation, culture, geography, and class. I love that aspect.If you had a magic wand, what do you think needs to be done to achieve 10% of trips by bike by 2025 in Silicon Valley?I see a big opportunity for Neighborhood Business Districts to make themselves “bicycle friendly’, and use this to attract customers. We must continue creating more offstreet and protected bikeways, because they make more riders (like me) feel safer, and we must complete the interconnected bike grid for Central San Jose. Central San Jose (Downtown, plus 3-4 miles radius all around) is where we’ll see a lot of growth, good densification, and interconnectedness going forward; it’s the place in Silicon Valley with the biggest concentration of mobility options—including biking. Last, we need innovation in bike lock technology and the real game-changer would be innovation to overcome helmet hair. ;)Share with us what a dream day on your bike looks like.My dream day would be a never-ending mash-up of happy riding on the Coyote Creek Trail, the Viva CalleSJ Open Streets ride, and SJ Bike Party. I have a wall hanging in my home office that says, “You can’t be sad while riding a bicycle”—and that is so true!What would you say to someone considering becoming a member of SVBC?Take the step to join. You will make new friends and have the opportunity to make a difference.
