SVBC Member Spotlight: Miguel Guevara
Today we spotlight SVBC member Miguel Guevara. Miguel has been the SVBC Santa Clara County representative for the Caltrain Bicycle Advisory Committee since 2017. He helps SVBC develop policy on bikes on board, bike parking at Caltrain stations, and other issues around Bikes+Transit and provides direct feedback to Caltrain staff.
- How did you get introduced to/involved with Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition?
I am originally from Cuernavaca, Mexico where I grew up and I first rode my bike. I remember that going to the mountains on the weekends was my highlight of the week. I then moved to Mexico City for college and work. In the City, I worked with some bike activist groups with the aim of increasing the number of bike lanes in the City. I moved to California two and a half years ago to work for Google. One day, someone from our policy team reached out to the bike list and asked if someone wanted to volunteer in Caltrain's Bicycle Advisory Committee as a SVBC representative. That's how I got involved with Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition.
- If you could spend an afternoon bike ride with anyone dead or alive - who would it be and why?
Wow, this is a tough one. I like classical music a lot, so I would probably spend an afternoon riding with Rachmaninoff. I enjoy the deepness of his music and the unique colors that he is able to bring to the forefront of his compositions. I would ride with him on top of Skyline, trying to get his thoughts as we catch a view of the sea and the fading sun over the horizon.
- Among your friends and people you know who don't ride a bike, what do you think would help encourage them to get out there?
Safety. Every time I try to encourage someone to try commuting by bike, they raise safety concerns. I think that if there were more protected bike lines, more people would ride. My empirical observations point to the same: in Mexico City, the protected bike lanes have seen a huge increase in the number of riders. I am sure that more bike lanes will help people get out in the road.
- What do you think needs to be done to achieve 10% of trips taken by bike by 2025 in Silicon Valley?
It feels like a chicken and egg problem. Some people say that they won't ride until the lanes are safe, while some policy makers see little incentive to create safe lanes if there are few bicyclists.To your question: we need more safe lanes, but we also need people to ride more. I feel there are a lot of myths around bicycling that lead to a sense of fear in many people. I would encourage everyone out there to try it, it's not that bad! On the contrary: it feels great! I can still remember the first time I biked in Mexico City: I felt an unmatched sense of freedom, I enjoyed feeling the air on my face, feeling that my bike and I were in a way connected to the City.
- What kind of activities and trips do you use your bicycle for?
Everything! I don't have a car and I have never had a drivers license, so I go everywhere with my bike (except the airport, because of luggage and flight schedules, I generally take a Lyft, although I've seriously considered biking there!). I ride to work, social events, take my bike on the train to SF, San Jose and around the peninsula.I also make weekend rides to the mountains. We are so privileged to live in an area with so many nice places to bike.
- What would you say to someone considering becoming a member of SVBC? And why do you support SVBC?
You should not hesitate in becoming a member. SVBC does great work with policy makers and allies across the Valley. They need all of us to increase their reach. In the end bicycling is a way of benefiting our communities: it's clean, it occupies little space and gives you a nice workout. SVBC's work makes it possible that more people bicycle in our cities.
