Meet Solano County's Bike Champion Of The Year

SOLANO COUNTY, CA — When Benicia resident Cande Medrano had to undergo surgery in his 50s to fix his spinal stenosis, he thought it meant an end to riding his bicycle, something he's always loved and has done most of his life. With therapy, however, Medrano was able to continue to pursue his lifelong sport.

Now 71 years old, Medrano rides everywhere: from dentist appointments to the grocery store, even all the way to Berkeley for doctor appointments. In 2020, Medrano logged more than 14,000 miles.

Medrano is not only a dedicated cyclist; he is also an active volunteer in the Benicia community who helps people fix and restore bicycles and has been known to help out at bike rodeos and Bike- to-Work-Day events.

Medrano's enthusiasm and the way he serves people in his community, inspiring them to try biking, have not gone unnoticed: Bay Area transportation officials named Medrano the 2021 Bike Champion of the Year for Solano County, it was announced this week.

"Given to individuals for inspiring bicycling in their Bay Area communities, this award recognizes an individual (or in one case, a whole family) from each of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties for their commitment to bicycling as the primary mode of transport," said organizers with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and local transportation agencies who put on the annual Bay Area Bike to Work Day, which during the pandemic was changed to Bay Area Bike to Wherever Days.

Organizers of the event also launched the annual Bike Champion of the Year awards, with many of this year's honorees being veteran bike-cruisers who started initiatives to increase the use of bikes as a mode of transportation or have spent years leading by example.

In addition to Medrano, winners this year include Sonia Elkes, from San Mateo County, who founded advocacy group San Carlos Bikes; and David Wood and his three daughters, who ride their bikes to school every day in Santa Clara County.

Hilary Noll, the winner from Marin County, hopes for a future where bike riding is normalized and more accessible.

"People from ages 8 to 80 feeling more comfortable biking for everyday needs," Noll said. "More women riding, especially as commuters. More women- and minority-owned bike shops. A cycling culture in which everyone from elite riders to everyday folks getting started and are welcomed and empowered."

Recipients of the award receive a Tailgator brake light and water bottle from Mike's Bikes, a bicycle-only membership for 24/7 roadside assistance from Better World Club, a laminated set of San Francisco map cards from the Association of Bay Area Governments, and a cycling jersey from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

Read more about this year's nine winners at Bayareabiketowork.com/bike-champions-of-the-year/.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.