Staff
John Tallmadge (he/him),
Executive Director
John joined Bike Durham in January 2020 as our first executive director. John had a 21+ year career in public transportation at GoTriangle as a planner, manager, and leader. He led the agency’s service planning team, the Transportation Demand Management team, and the customer information team. He also served as the interim Project Director for the Light-Rail Project from September 2018 through March 2019. Before getting his graduate degree in city and regional planning at UNC - Chapel Hill, he worked as Co-Coordinator for the Natural Resources Defense Council's Clean Air Network in Washington, DC. He is also a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Madison and was born and raised in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin immediately west of Milwaukee. He has lived with his family in the Old West Durham neighborhood since 1999, and is a lifelong user of bikes, transit, shoes, and cars to get around.
You can reach John at Director@bikedurham.org.
Ashley Scott (he/him),
Safe Routes to School Lead Educator
Growing up in New Jersey during the '70s, Ashley recalls his father's active participation in local road races, which fueled his own love for cycling. During his time at UNC-Chapel Hill, Ashley became an experienced cycling commuter, making his daily journey from Carrboro to campus a regular routine. Since the early 2000s, Ashley Scott has been an engaged resident of Durham. Through riding with his son on the American Tobacco Trail, he developed his passion for cycling and community involvement. Though currently residing in Downtown Durham, he is frequently in South Durham to spend time with family and embark on cycling adventures, often accompanied by his young niece.
Ashley's dedication to education and service shines through his role as a Lead Educator with Bike Durham and his active involvement in various cycling-related initiatives as a volunteer.
You can reach Ashley at ashley@bikedurham.org.
Bilal Bailey (he/him), Safe Routes to School Lead Educator
Bilal started his mentorship journey as an inner-city youth himself and has since taught youth in everything from the arts to math and worked as a behavioral assistant.
Whether it’s teaching through art, exploring coping mechanisms, or getting serious with chess, his goal is to guide young men to uncover their personal strengths. Bilal is also a proud serial entrepreneur, author, and lifelong learner, proving that you can teach an old dog new tricks if you’ve got the right mindset!
You can reach Bilal at bilal.bailey@bikedurham.org
Desiree Squire (she/her), Education Program Manager
Desiree is a New Jersey native. She graduated from Rutgers University in 2017, where she studied Women and Gender studies and Spanish. As a daughter of immigrants, she has always had a passion to connect with vulnerable populations. She is all for empowering, giving back, and providing equal experiences for all.
As long as she can remember, she has always been a lover of animals, plants, and nature. In her free time, she enjoys kayaking, hiking, gardening, and traveling. When exploring other countries, she loves to learn about different languages and cultures.
You can reach Desiree at desiree@bikedurham.org
Gregory Williams (he/him), Advocacy Campaign Organizer
Gregory brings a decade of organizing experience to his role as Advocacy Campaign Organizer at Bike Durham. With a background in coordinating political races at various levels, from city council to presidential campaigns, Gregory is passionate about effecting change and amplifying voices within the community.
Having moved to North Carolina as a child due to his parents' military service, Gregory fell in love with the state and chose to make it his permanent home. He is committed to contributing to the betterment of his community and ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.
Outside of his advocacy work, Gregory is an avid musician and multi-instrumentalist, often found making music or enjoying the outdoors.
You can reach Gregory at gregory@bikedurham.org
Jonathan Ortiz (he/him), Communications Director
Jonathan is Bike Durham's Communications Director, bringing 11 years of experience in nonprofit communications, digital publishing, and marketing.
Before joining Bike Durham, he held communications leadership roles at The Hunt Institute, AAUW, and Feeding Westchester, and spent five years as Digital Managing Editor at Today Media.
A writer and New York native, Jonathan is now rooted in Durham. When he's not at Bike Durham, you can find him at a concert or out on a trail somewhere.
You can reach Jonathan at jonathan.ortiz@bikedurham.org.
Kyle Sullivan (he/him), Development Manager
Kyle’s journey with Bike Durham began in the most fitting way: on two wheels, joining a Halloween group ride in 2020 just days after arriving in Durham. Welcomed immediately by a warm and engaged community, Kyle saw firsthand the connections Bike Durham was building across the city—connections that felt authentic, grounded, and transformative. Now, as Development Manager, he’s the point of contact for donors, the architect behind events, and the one coordinating the volunteers who bring Bike Durham’s mission to life.
For Kyle, it’s all about the relationships. Whether he’s talking with supporters at a community event or helping to plan the next big initiative, he carries a sense of pride in what Bike Durham has accomplished and a drive to help it reach even further. It’s this ongoing story of positive change that he’s honored to continue.
You can reach Kyle at kyle.sullivan@bikedurham.org
Laura Kirby (she/her), Bicycle Safety Educator
Laura joined Bike Durham as a Bike Educator to help young people build confidence, independence, and joy on two wheels. She brings a strong background in working with children and young adults, along with a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and creating welcoming spaces—especially for neurodiverse youth and communities that have been historically excluded from safe, active transportation.
Laura believes that biking is not only a fun and empowering way to get around, but also a tool for building stronger, healthier communities where everyone can thrive.
Outside of work, you can find Laura riding bikes with her children, shooting hoops, lifting weights, sewing and crafting, hiking local trails, swimming in the quarry, or fixing up her home.
Other Bicycle Riding & Safety Educators
Board of Directors
Shaun King (he/him), Chair
Shaun is the Executive Director of the Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC) and has served on the board of directors of Bike Durham for six years. He worked at Duke University for a decade where he was an Assistant Director of Communications for Trinity College. Earlier, he was an award winning volunteer and part-time staff in his serve to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wake & Johnston Counties.
You can reach him at Shaun@bikedurham.org
Erik Willis (he/him), VICE CHAIR
Erik relocated to Durham in 2019 and currently serves as a research scientist at the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Erik holds a Doctorate degree in exercise physiology, a Master of Public Health in epidemiology and biostatistics and completed his post-doctoral training in public health at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. Erik's research focuses on developing, testing, and disseminating effective programs aimed at promoting physical activity and healthy eating across the lifespan. Erik's goal is to foster communities where all individuals can live, work, and play in environments that prioritize optimal and equitable health and well-being.
You can reach him at erikwillis@bikedurham.org
Eric Rubinstein (he/him), Treasurer
Eric Rubinstein serves as the Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President at Leyline Renewable Capital, where he leads efforts in sourcing, structuring, and closing renewable energy investments across the country. He brings over a decade of experience in finance and strategy, having previously served as Vice President of Finance and Strategy at Silicon Ranch Corporation, where he led capital raises, tax equity transactions, and complex project financings.
Eric’s deep commitment to sustainable infrastructure extends beyond his professional life. His passion for cycling began in college when he discovered the freedom and efficiency of biking as a primary mode of transportation. Today, he bikes to work regularly and seeks out cities around the world known for their exceptional biking infrastructure.
As Treasurer of Bike Durham, Eric combines his expertise in financial management with a personal dedication to promoting safe, accessible, and equitable transportation for all. He holds a dual degree in Classics and Archaeology from Haverford College and has been recognized with the 40 Under 40 Award by both the Nashville Business Journal and the Triangle Business Journal.
You can reach him at Eric.Rubinstein@bikedurham.org
Marc Maximov (he/him), Secretary
Marc's move to Durham in 2006 came with a question mark—is midsize-city living possible without a car? He's been delighted to find that the answer is yes! He gets around solely by biking and walking (with occasional bus rides and car trips with friends), and he believes nothing clears the mind and recharges the soul like pedaling home at the end of the day. His work with Bike Durham is focused on making the streets safe and pleasant for all users, which will help make Durham a more equitable city. He was formerly the coordinator of continuing education at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke, and today he works as a freelance sound recordist, audio producer, and writer.
You can reach him at Marc@bikedurham.org
Erin Batten-hicks (she/her)
Erin is a native Durhamite, a transit nerd, and a planning student at UNC Chapel Hill in the Master’s of City and Regional Planning program. She has years of experience with the joys and frustrations of getting around the Triangle on the bus and on foot.
She believes that public transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians deserve transportation options that are safe and convenient. Her background includes working with low-income and homeless communities in Chapel Hill and Wake County to achieve housing stability.
Erin’s journey with Bike Durham began when she re-learned how to bike through the organization’s Learn to Ride classes. She finds joy in reading fiction, biking on the American Tobacco Trail, and exploring North Carolina’s 100 counties.
You can reach her at erin.batten-hicks@bikedurham.org.
jessi brown (she/her)
Jessi joined the Bike Durham Board of Directors in 2026, having been inspired by the organization’s mission and community impact since moving back to Durham in 2024. Though she grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis, Jessi spent many of her adult years bike commuting through Washington, D.C., Albany, NY, and Seattle, WA. Today, you can find her and her spouse hauling gear or riding alongside their three young children.
An Industrial-Organizational Psychologist by training, Jessi brings over 15 years of experience in organizational strategy and measurement. She is also a sustaining member of the Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties.
You can reach her at jessi.brown@bikedurham.org.
Mary Rose Fontana (she/her)
Mary Rose is an Environmental Engineer, focussing primarily on air quality research for federal, state, and local governments. Her passion for biking started as a child - she attended bicycling camps and often used bicycling as transportation, even into her college years. In 2018, she started competing in triathlons, and much prefers the bike portion over the run or swim. She recently gave up using a personal vehicle for everyday transit, substituting it with bike rides along the greenways or taking the bus or train for farther destinations. Her dream for Durham, and the Triangle, is to make alternative modes of transportation more feasible and desirable for everyone.
You can reach her at maryrose@bikedurham.org
Joshua Poor (he/him)
Originally from Kansas, Josh Poor moved to Durham in 2017. He had been a bicycling enthusiast until his 20s, when work and school got in the way. After moving to Durham in 2017, he picked up cycling again as a means to get healthy. He enjoys commuting by bicycle whenever possible, but most of the time he’s on two wheels it’s for social rides or exercise. He enjoys volunteering and has worked with other nonprofits such as Durham Habitat for Humanity, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, and Activate Good.
You can reach him at josh@bikedurham.org
Bianca Quade (she/her)
Bianca is a professional scientist and casual cyclist. She grew up in Mississippi, where public transit infrastructure was limited and biking infrastructure was nonexistent. She later moved to Buffalo for grad school and started biking to get to know the city. There, she got involved with a local nonprofit bike co-op and built the bike she rides today. In 2022, when she moved to North Carolina, she heard about Bike Durham's mission and immediately became a member.
Today, she is a frequent attendee of local group rides, and you can often find her at Bike Durham events: monthly community meetings, bike celebrations for the Safe Routes to School program, and more. When she's not working or volunteering, you can find her reading, catching a film at the Carolina Theatre, frequenting local ice cream shops, or tracking down freshly-roasted coffee beans.
You can reach her at bianca.quade@bikedurham.org.
Brian Van Cleave (he/him)
Brian grew up in a small town outside of Milwaukee, before attending the University of Miami to study Exercise Physiology and compete on the triathlon team. While in South Florida, he learned both the importance of a vibrant cycling community and the risks when a city does not protect its residents traveling by bike. After 4 collisions involving inattentive or aggressive drivers, he was inspired to volunteer with Bike South Miami and Safe Streets Miami, helping lead rides and advocate for better infrastructure. He moved to the Triangle in 2020 and has fallen in love with the local cycling community and is inspired to see this community grow through safer places to ride, walk, and commute. Come say 'hi' to him at Trek Chapel Hill, where you'll often find him leading a ride.
You can reach him at brian@bikedurham.org