Indego’s programming season is in full swing, and we’re delighted to introduce you to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia (BCGP) education team members! This team strengthens the connection between Indego and the communities we serve by offering free Learn-to-Ride classes that teach people how to ride a bicycle, Indego Riding Basics classes that cover the rules of the road, and community-based group rides that bring riders together. Each team member brings an immensely diverse background of professional experience and a passion for cycling and empowering others around them. Keep reading to meet the 2024 BCGP Bike Share Educator team!

Miriam

Pronouns: She/Her

Fun fact: Miriam loves to knit and has just started learning how to sew too!

Role: Returning BBSP Educator

About: Originally from Rhode Island, Miriam has loved calling Philly home for the past five years. She began navigating the city on two wheels in the early pandemic and has continued to enjoy doing so since then! During the week, Miriam teaches high school Spanish and is excited to expand her passion for teaching and learning with BCGP and Indego. Miriam is an avid attendee of Wednesday Night Rides and firmly believes that cookies can be a breakfast food.

Morgan

Pronouns: They/She

Fun fact: Morgan can ride a unicycle (but hasn’t practiced in a while).

Role: Returning BBSP Educator

About: Morgan was born and raised on a farm in rural Vermont, but has made Philly their home since 2018. Morgan learned to love biking from a young age and has gone on many beautiful bike trips, including biking through the Loire Valley in France, across the Petit Train route in Quebec, and along paths in Kenya. Morgan is excited to join the BCGP educator team to meet new people, explore the city, and support others in getting passionate about bicycling!

Lan

Pronouns: She/Her

Fun fact: The last time Lan drove a car was 13 years ago.

Role: Returning BBSP Educator

About: Lan has been living in Philly for the past 10+ years. Her hobbies include upcycling, traveling, running, reading (especially nonfiction), listening to podcasts and audiobooks, and watching movies. She spent her childhood in California but loves the East Coast.

Mariale

Pronouns: She/Her

Fun fact: Mariale likes to eat most of her food with a spoon.

Role: Returning BBSP Educator

About: Mariale was born and raised in Costa Rica but moved to Philly in December 2020. She is currently an immigration paralegal at a non-profit in the city. Mariale wanted to be a BCGP Educator because she is very enthusiastic about biking as a way of commuting. Moving from Costa Rica to the United States, her carbon footprint naturally more than tripled. Mariale bikes to reduce her impact on the environment and also to avoid parallel parking in Philly.

Kelly

Pronouns: She/Her

Fun fact: Kelly is a mother of twins.

Role: New BBSP Educator

About: Kelly learned to ride as a little kid out in the burbs, and that turned into her favorite way to commute as she moved around the country, living in Richmond, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, and Seattle, returning to Philly in 2018. An artist with a practice centered on kindness and the power of positive energy, she is focused on activating community and connection in and around the 915 Spring Garden building.

Lina

Pronouns: She/Her

Fun fact: Lina is half Dutch and half Spanish.

Role: New BBSP Educator

About: Lina grew up riding her bike, but began to rely on her bike for commuting purposes once she started going to college. She has ridden her bike as her primary form of transportation in Boston and in Philadelphia, and hopes to continue doing so because she enjoys getting a bike ride in every day she can. She works as an immigration attorney at a non-profit organization in Philadelphia, and hopes to encourage immigrants to ride bikes as the cheapest and most reliable form of transportation.

Iresha

Pronouns: She/Her

Fun fact: Iresha walked a thousand consecutive days straight, every morning from 2020-2022.

Role: New BBSP Educator

About: Iresha Picot was born and raised in Franklin, Virginia but has called Philly her home since 2007. Iresha is a Licensed Behavior Specialist and Therapist and has been working in mental and behavioral health for over 14 years, where she currently works as a Clinical Lead at the Center for Autism and provides therapeutic support for people incarcerated with the Prison Abolitionist organization, “Let’s Get Free” and virtual healing support with the “Me Too” movement. Iresha grew up riding bikes in Virginia and returned to bike riding during the pandemic, after a decade of being off a bike. Last year, Iresha started the Black Girl Joy Bike rides, where she led bicycle rides for Black Women every Sunday on bike trails around Philadelphia. Iresha is excited about joining BBSP as a Bike Educator.

Uma

Pronouns: She/Her

Fun fact: Uma played Donkey in a production of Shrek the Musical.

Role: New BBSP Educator

About: Uma is a 20-something from the mountains of Southern Oregon and a new resident of Philadelphia. Uma grew up playing soccer, running, and dancing, biking from school to practices and work. She is a creative, hope-seeker, harmonizer, daydreamer, and believer in her individuality and those of others. As a BBSP Educator, Uma is ready to learn and connect with community members and where she is able, lead with compassion and excitement.

Thank you to everyone involved in Indego’s 2024 engagement and educational efforts! We are so grateful to have so many passionate individuals working with us to build community and get more butts on bikes. Please give a shout-out to our team in the comments and register for an upcoming class or ride by clicking the button below.

Please visit the Bicycle Coalition’s event page for more ways to get involved this summer!