Bike New York Welcomes New CEO

NEW YORK, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Bike New York announced today that Kenneth J. Podziba has been appointed president and CEO. Podziba, who served as New York City Sports Commissioner since 1998, replaces Pam Tice, the executive director of Bike New York since its establishment as a non-profit organization in 2000. The organization's premier event is the TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour; Podziba is joining the staff in the ramp-up to the 33rd annual ride on Sunday, May 2.

"I couldn't be happier to be going to Bike New York," said Podziba at a congratulatory reception held by Mayor Michael Bloomberg on January 20 at the New York Athletic Club. "We're going to do a lot of great things together."

Bloomberg declared January 20 to be "Ken Podziba Day," in recognition of his outstanding work and dedication as sports commissioner, noting that Podziba has "thrown nothing but strikes for the city" during his 12-year tenure. Events Podziba helped attract to New York City include the MLB All-Star Game, NFL Kickoff Live from Times Square, and NYC Cycling Championships. In addition, Podziba assisted NYC2012 in bidding to host the 2012 Olympic Games. He will remain active on boards and/or committees for organizations such as Achilles Track Club, New York Amateur Sports Alliance, and Best Buddies.

In addition to carrying on the rich tradition of the TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour, which was founded in 1977 as a program of American Youth Hostels, Podziba will oversee and build upon Bike New York's smaller rides throughout the metropolitan area and its thriving Bicycling Education Program, which experienced four-fold growth in 2009.

"Pam has laid incredible groundwork at Bike New York. I feel so lucky to be following in her footsteps and look forward to working with the staff to continue this vision while using my experience and contacts to further raise the profile and forward the mission of Bike New York. We are already the go-to experts on urban cycling, and there's so much more we can do," stated Podziba. Specific plans include partnering more closely with the City on bike initiatives and PlaNYC goals.

"I am very excited for Bike New York to have Ken coming on board," said Pam Tice, outgoing executive director. "Ken has always been a tremendous fan and supporter of the Five Boro, and we've developed a great working relationship over the years." Tice remains a consultant to the organization during the transition.

Bike New York Board Chair Leonard Diamond was part of the search committee that made the selection. "We look forward to Ken guiding the organization to the next level of excellence," he said. "Staff and board members alike are sad to see Pam leave. Through her work with American Youth Hostels and Bike New York, she has shepherded the Five Boro Bike Tour from its tenuous existence in the 1980s into a world-famous event that forms the bedrock of a flourishing organization."

Photos available upon request.

ABOUT BIKE NEW YORK:

Bike New York (BikeNewYork.org) is a non-profit organization that promotes and encourages bicycling and bicycle safety through education, public events, and collaboration with community and government organizations. Best known as producer of the nation's largest recreational cycling event, the TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour, Bike New York also organizes smaller rides and runs a Bicycle Education Program offering free classes and workshops for adults and children.

SOURCE Bike New York