What SVBC Means to Me: Emma Shlaes

The staff at Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) work diligently to advance our mission, and it is personally meaningful work for each of us. SVBC Policy Manager Emma Shlaes shares her thoughts on what SVBC means to her: The work I do at Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition is about the freedom to choose. When you wake up every morning, you make a choice: How are you going to get to school, work, or errands? Maybe it seems inevitable – of course you’ll drive or of course you have no other option but to bike. These certainties are actually decisions influenced by many factors: equipment you have access to, weather, roads, schedule, where you live, how far you have to go, and what you have to carry.What if getting around by bike was just as easy as getting around by car?What would the world look like if that were true? What would have to change? Would there be safe spaces to bike in? Would there be free bikes everywhere? Would every person be taught in school how to ride? Would your city or workplace subsidize or encourage you to ride a bike? Would you have friends to ride with?We want every person to feel safe while riding a bike, whether it is a choice or the only option.SVBC directly influences the policies and projects that can make our streets safer for all, through our commitment to Vision Zero. Vision Zero is the goal to eliminate all traffic deaths and life-altering injuries. SVBC is doing advocacy and educational work to make Vision Zero a reality in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. We’ve been helping implement San Jose’s Vision Zero program for over a year now, and working on new initiatives on the horizon in Sunnyvale and Morgan Hill. In San Mateo County, we worked with Daly City to adopt a Vision Zero resolution this year, and we will continue working proactively with more cities – placing priority on cities with the most bike and pedestrian collisions.We should all have the freedom to choose how we get around without fear and without hesitation.Until there are zero deaths or life-altering injuries on our roads, our work isn’t done. Until people feel truly free to choose, our work isn’t done. Please join me in support of our work to make safe streets for all by making a contribution today.Sincerely,Emma ShlaesSVBC Policy Manager