I fell in love with bicycling in 1990 while attending graduate school in Washington DC. Having grown up in suburban Dallas, Texas, I was used to driving everywhere. Informed that there was no parking available near my school, I borrowed my brother's 10 speed Schwinn. Within a few weeks, I was in the best shape of my life, and a lifelong love affair had begun. Since then, I have been a dedicated bicyclist for recreation, touring, exercise, and daily utilitarian trips. I have two children - ages 12 and 8 – and see bicycling as a win-win strategy for maintaining my family's health, safety, budget, and community connection.
My career has included:
- Advocacy work (1989-1993) at an international environmental think tank, during which time I worked with cities in developing countries on transportation energy conservation strategies.
- Government leadership as the City of Portland's Bicycle Program Manager, where I led Portland's transformation to the country's most bicycle friendly city.
- Consulting with communities nationwide (1999 to present) as a Principal at Alta Planning + Design, the nation's leading firm specializing in bicycle, pedestrian, and trail planning, design, and implementation. I have worked on hundreds of bicycle and pedestrian planning projects around the nation; expanded Alta to a 60-person firm with 7 offices nationwide; and authored studies on such groundbreaking topics as shared lane markings and rails-with-trails.
- Teaching bicycle and pedestrian planning through my role as Adjunct Professor at Portland State University and founder of PSU's Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation (IBPI).
Education
- M.A. International Relations & Economics, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Bologna, Italy and Washington, D.C., 1990
- B.A. Government and French, University of Texas, Austin, 1988
Professional Highlights
- Adviser to the Post Carbon Institute.
- Alta Planning + Design, 1999-present
- Adjunct Professor, Portland State University, 2002-present
- Bicycle Program Manager, City of Portland, Oregon, 1993-1999
- Transportation Program Manager, International Institute for Energy Conservation, Washington, D.C., 1989-1993
- Professional of the Year, 2007 and Founding board member (served 1996-2000), Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals
- 2008 Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) Employer of the Year
Related Experience
- Founding Member, Initiative for Bicycle & Pedestrian Innovation, Portland State University
- Member, Portland's "Go Platinum" Bicycle Master Plan Steering Committee
- Fellowship Recipient, the German Marshall Fund Environmental Program, 1996. Visited 15 bicycle-friendly European cities to learn new ideas for making U.S. cities more bicycle friendly. Subsequently implemented numerous innovative ideas in Portland.
- Advisory board member, Community Cycling Center, Portland, Oregon
- Member, Transportation Research Board, Bicycle Subcommittee
- Board Member, Cycle Oregon
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Mia with music legend David Byrne, author, Bicycle Diaries, and Jeff Mapes, author, Pedaling Revolution
photo credit: Jonathan Maus
Mia's company Alta Planning + Design creates active communities where bicycling and walking are safe, healthy, fun, and normal daily activities.
Mia with part of the excellent Alta Planning + Design team
Mia with the Alta Planning + Design Principals