August Updates from the Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance
August is already here, and things are moving quickly for the Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance.
This month, we are celebrating the success of the first Ciclovía Reno, examining federal decisions that could affect local bicycle and pedestrian projects, remembering a member of our cycling community, and announcing several changes to TMBA’s Board of Directors.
We also have a few final summer Bike Valet at food truck events on the calendar, along with ongoing opportunities to get involved with TMBA.
Ciclovía Reno Was a Huge Success
Thank you to everyone who came out for the first Ciclovía Reno.
We estimate that approximately 200 people joined us throughout the day to ride, walk, roll, and enjoy a car-free section of Virginia Street through MidTown before Dancing in the Streets.
Families, children, experienced cyclists, casual riders, pedestrians, and plenty of curious passersby all had an opportunity to experience the street in a different way. Instead of functioning primarily as a place for moving and storing cars, Virginia Street became a public space where people could safely gather, explore, and connect with their community.
We learned a great deal from this year’s event, and we are excited to explore how Ciclovía Reno can become larger, more visible, and more engaging in the future.
And yes, we will make sure to order more shirts next time.
Federal Support for Safer Streets Is Moving in the Wrong Direction
TMBA’s work is primarily local, but decisions made at the federal level can directly affect transportation projects throughout Northern Nevada.
Recent decisions and comments from the U.S. Department of Transportation have raised serious concerns about future funding for bicycle lanes, trails, pedestrian improvements, transit facilities, and roadway-safety projects.
Over the past year, the department has withdrawn previously announced grants for projects in several states. Some of those projects were described as being “hostile to motor vehicles.”
More recently, the Federal Highway Administration removed bicycle lanes, road diets, safer speed limits, speed cameras, and several other strategies from its online list of proven safety countermeasures. The agency had previously identified these strategies as effective ways to reduce roadway deaths and serious injuries.
These changes could create uncertainty for local projects because major transportation improvements often require a combination of local, state, and federal funding.
Why Federal Funding Matters Locally
This summer, the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County received a $25 million federal grant for improvements along Sun Valley Boulevard.
The proposed improvements include:
- Shared-use paths
- Safer pedestrian crossings
- Improved bus stops
- ADA accessibility upgrades
- Additional roadway-safety improvements
Nearly 300 crashes occurred along this corridor between 2019 and 2023, including four fatalities and 12 serious-injury crashes.
There is currently no indication that the Sun Valley Boulevard funding will be withdrawn. However, recent federal decisions create uncertainty about whether similar projects will receive support in the future.
We are extremely thankful that some local efforts, including the Biggest Little Bike Network, are funded entirely through local tax revenue. Local funding gives our community greater control over investments that make our streets safer and more accessible.
TMBA will continue following these federal decisions while advocating for local investments that protect everyone who walks, rolls, rides, drives, or uses public transportation.
Speak Up for Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure
We suggest contacting your federal representatives and letting them know that you support “Developing Efficient Infrastructure such as Bike Lanes, sidewalks, shared-use paths, transit stops, and safer crossings.”
If that’s too much to remember, just tell them you support “DEI Bike Lanes”.
The League of American Bicyclists has an easy-to-use form to help contact your representative.
Remembering Jeff Illig
On May 13, Jeff Illig was killed by a driver while riding his bicycle in the bike lane near South McCarran Boulevard and West Plumb Lane.
The driver fled the scene and has not been arrested. The vehicle believed to have been involved was later found in Sparks with its license plates and vehicle identification number removed.
Jeff was a veteran, a father, a passionate cyclist, and a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier who served the Reno community for more than 30 years.
Those who knew Jeff remember him as a kind and quiet person who took tremendous pride in his work, cared deeply for his animals, and enjoyed helping others learn to ride.
A fundraiser has been established to support Jeff’s son, Nick, and increase the Secret Witness reward for information leading to an arrest. The goal is to raise the reward from $2,500 to $20,000. Additional funds will assist Nick with expenses and support the creation of a permanent roadside memorial for Jeff.
Please consider donating or sharing the fundraiser. Someone knows what happened that morning, and Jeff’s family deserves answers.
Jeff’s death is another tragic reminder that McCarran Boulevard must be redesigned with lower and more appropriate target speeds and physically separated bicycle facilities.
Jeff was riding in a designated bicycle lane and using the transportation system exactly as it had been presented to him.
He was not the first person killed because of this design failure. Until meaningful action is taken, he will not be the last.
A New Chapter for TMBA’s Board of Directors
We have several important changes to share regarding the Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance Board of Directors.
Thank You to Tom Albright
After generously extending his term, Tom Albright is stepping down as president of the Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance.
Tom’s term was originally scheduled to end in January 2026, but he agreed to remain in the position while TMBA prepared for its next leadership transition.
During his presidency, Tom helped organize TMBA’s first board retreat. The retreat gave board members an opportunity to step away from regular meetings, examine the organization’s mission, and have the larger conversations necessary to plan for TMBA’s future.
Tom also assembled TMBA’s first Biennial Report, documenting the organization’s recent accomplishments, programs, events, partnerships, and advocacy work. It was a significant undertaking that gave TMBA something it had never had before: a single place where we could see just how much the organization had accomplished.
We are extremely thankful for Tom’s leadership, patience, and commitment to TMBA.
Fortunately, this is not goodbye. Tom will remain on TMBA’s Board of Directors, where the organization will continue to benefit from his experience and perspective.
Thank you, Tom.
Introducing Cayman Levonian as TMBA President
TMBA is pleased to introduce Cayman Levonian as the organization’s new president.
Cayman previously served as vice president under Tom and has been involved with TMBA’s communications, events, organizational planning, and Reno Bike Valet program.
One of Cayman’s priorities will be growing Reno Bike Valet into a more consistent and visible service throughout Reno and Sparks.
Free, secure bicycle parking makes it easier for people to travel to community events by bike. It also gives TMBA opportunities to meet local riders, work with event organizers, and demonstrate how many bicycles can fit into a space that might otherwise hold only a couple of cars.
TMBA is excited to begin this next chapter while continuing to build on the work of Tom and the organization’s previous leaders.
Farewell to Lauren Brilliant
TMBA would also like to thank Lauren Brilliant, who recently stepped down from the board after moving to Portland, Oregon.
Lauren moved to Portland for her medical residency as she continues her work as a new doctor. While we will miss her perspective and enthusiasm on the board, we are incredibly excited for her as she begins this next stage of her career.
Thank you, Lauren, for your service to TMBA. We wish you the best with your residency, your new city, and whatever tiny scraps of free time the medical profession permits you to retain.
Lauren recently sent us photos of the bicycle valet service at the hospital where she is working.
We are taking this as proof that Bike Valet belongs everywhere.
Interested in Getting Involved with TMBA?
TMBA is always interested in meeting people who want to become more involved in our work.
You do not need to be a transportation planner, professional advocate, or expert cyclist to serve on the board. We are looking for thoughtful and dependable people who care about safer streets, active transportation, community events, and helping TMBA grow.
Board members help:
- Guide the organization’s priorities
- Participate in board meetings
- Support programs and community events
- Contribute ideas, skills, and new perspectives
- Help TMBA become a stronger and more effective organization
Volunteering is another excellent way to become involved. TMBA is particularly interested in volunteers who can assist with:
- Reno Bike Valet
- Event planning
- Community outreach
- Social media
- Fundraising
- Grant writing
- Bicycle and pedestrian advocacy
Whether you have a specific skill to share or simply want to contribute your time, we would love to hear from you.
Final Food Truck Bike Valet Events of the Summer
Reno Bike Valet has one more Food Truck Wednesday and one more Food Truck Friday event before both programs conclude for the summer.
Ride to the event, park your bicycle with us for free, and enjoy one last evening of food trucks without circling the park in search of a parking space.
Food Truck Wednesday
Date: Wednesday, August 5
Time: 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Cyan Park in South Reno
Food Truck Friday
Date: Friday, August 7
Time: 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Idlewild Park
These are the final Food Truck Wednesday and Food Truck Friday events of the 2026 season.
Find Reno Bike Valet Every Sunday
Food Truck season may be ending, but Reno Bike Valet will continue operating at the Riverside Farmers Market every Sunday the market takes place.
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Idlewild Park near the ponds
The Riverside Farmers Market is a great place to shop from local growers, ranchers, bakers, artists, and other small businesses.
Ride to the market, leave your bicycle with us for free, and enjoy your morning without having to drag a lock around or attach your bicycle to a tree like some sort of abandoned frontier livestock.
Help TMBA Build a More Bicycle-Friendly Community
Thank you for riding with us, volunteering with us, and helping us build a safer, healthier, and more connected community.
The Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance is an all-volunteer organization with no membership dues. Our work depends entirely on donations from people who believe that safer streets and better transportation options benefit the entire community.
As TMBA expands its programs and ambitions, your support can help us operate Reno Bike Valet, organize community events, advocate for safer infrastructure, and give more people the confidence to travel by bicycle.