Meet Contra Costa County's Bike Champion Of The Year

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Every Thursday in the summer you can find Smitty Ardrey fixing bicycles at Bike Concord's Bike Tent at the Concord Farmers Market in Todo Santos Plaza.

Moving from San Francisco to Concord in 2000, Ardrey realized that the city desperately needed safer infrastructure for biking and walking, and started getting involved with bike advocacy by showing up at meetings and volunteering with Bike East Bay.

Since then, he has organized bike rodeos, pop-up bike repair clinics, and since 2019, a bike education class at Olympic High School in Concord.

"His drive, foresight and commitment have made biking more accessible in central Contra Costa County, bringing to life [Bike Concord’s] mission of MBOB (More Butts on Bikes)!" said Claire Linder, who nominated Ardrey for the Bike Champion of the Year award.

Bay Area transportation officials agreed that Ardrey deserved to be recognized as the 2021 Bike Champion of the Year for Contra Costa 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.

"True Champion For The Bike Community In Concord, Beyond"

In 2008, Ardrey started the first bicycle kitchen in town, hoping to provide a community space that could help promote and provide resources on biking. Ever since, the bicycle kitchen has become a beloved community space where youths and adults can learn bike maintenance and talk about biking.

When the city of Concord sought input for its first bicycle and pedestrian master plan, Ardrey and a few other volunteers set up a table at the farmers market to gather community feedback. One thing led to another, and people started to call it the "Bike Tent," expecting it as a regular feature of the farmers market.

"The Bike Kitchen and the Bike Tent provide opportunities to talk about biking in Concord and neighboring communities," Ardrey said. "Anyone is welcome to visit the tent, get minor repairs for free, and share their thoughts on biking in town."

Advocates passionate about cycling in Concord have come together thanks to spaces like the Bike Tent and Bike Kitchen, and are now known as Bike Concord. The organization is an integral part of the bicycle movement in Concord and surrounding areas. Ardrey is proud that the group has been hauling 185 pounds worth of gear on a cargo bike almost every time they’ve been to the farmers’ market.

Ardrey has been a true champion for the bike community in Concord and beyond.

Recently retired, Ardrey still enjoys a leisurely stroll around town or goes for longer rides on weekends.

In addition to Ardrey, 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 winners at Bayareabiketowork.com/bike-champions-of-the-year/.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.