Our STAFF
NICOLE “NIKI” FRISKE
DIRECTOR
Niki (they/them) makes their return to Ithaca as Director of Bike Walk Tompkins. They earned a B.M. in Music Education from Ithaca College in 2015, a launching pad for their four-year teaching career in New York City's public school system. Niki's focus on community and engagement grew, and in 2020, Niki earned their Masters in Arts and Cultural Management from Pratt Institute. Building upon their thesis, ROUTES
--a framework that aims to better connect communities through trail networks and local culture--they worked with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to develop a digital history project highlighting the Great American Rail-Trail. Niki is excited to pursue their goals of building vibrant and well-connected communities with BWT. When they aren't biking or hiking, they’re probably cheering on their favorite home state football club, Atlanta United.
Contact Niki
nicole@bikewalktompkins.org
MOLLY HAJJAR
EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Molly (she/her) is a nationally certified Recreation Therapist, specializing in making outdoor recreation opportunities accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. As the founding director of an accessible recreation program in southern New Hampshire, Molly has over 20 years of experience teaching children and adults to swim, ski, paddle, and bike. She’s very excited to partner with Bike Walk Tompkins to provide bike education to our community.
Contact Molly molly@bikewalktompkins.org
CLAIRE DEHM
LEAD MECHANIC
Claire (she/her) is a year-round bike commuter, bike mechanic, and bike enthusiast. When Claire's not engaged in conversations about the intersection of bikes and community, you can find her teaching, playing, and learning at Circus Culture, Ithaca's very own circus school.
Contact Claire
claire@bikewalktompkins.org
2023 Bike Education Mentors
(Top Left to Right): Jacob Yatsko, Tom Stern, Kelda McGurk, Anneke Ryan, Joseph Pratt, Erik Uy (volunteer)
(Bottom): Molly Hajjar (education coordinator) & Emme Wong
2023 Bike Mechanic Mentors
(Left to Right): Eli Hajjar, Julius Won, & Mustafaa Ali
Our STEERING COMMITTEE
FERNANDO DE ARAGÓN
Fernando is the Director of the Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council, and has been since 1998. Through his work, he has helped expand services that provide options to single occupancy vehicles such as carsharing, multi-use trails, bike and pedestrian facilities, and expanded transit. Fernando also sits on the CCT Board.
JANE BOWMAN-BRADY
WILL BURBANK
Will Burbank (he/him) is a retired teacher and former local elected official who has been cycling for seven decades. He studied international relations at American University and has a Masters degree in Teaching from Binghamton University. He previously served on the Town of Ithaca Town Board and the Tompkins County Legislature. He can often be found huffing up the Black Diamond Trail.
ERIKA COLQUEHUANCA
TIM LOGUE
Tim (he/him) is the Director of Engineering Services for the City of Ithaca's Department of Public Works, with responsibility in areas including multimodal transportation engineering and planning, trail development, traffic signal systems, traffic calming, and capital project management. Tim also sits on the CCT Board.
KELDA MCGURK
Kelda McGurk (she/her) is an occupational therapist, currently working in the school district. She is also a mentor for BWT, and particularly enjoys working with individuals to learn to ride their individual commute/errands routes. Kelda has been a bike commuter for 20+ years, and has loved adapting this lifestyle to remain as functional as possible through weather conditions, surgeries, and kid-toting.
Kelda spends most of her time with her daughter, enjoying outdoor adventures, traveling, or working on her house or yard. She is passionate about helping to create a community where people feel capable and safe enough to enjoy the freedom of getting around without needing a car.
DAVID WEST
STEERING COMMITTEE CHAIR
David is the Town Planner for the Town of Danby, with a broad mandate including development review, environmental protection, and coordination with other planning agencies. You can see him walking, biking, or riding his scooter around town with his family in Ithaca.
PERHAPS YOU?
Bike Walk Tompkins is looking for additional Steering Committee members who share our vision for a more inclusive walk and bike-friendly community. If you also have strong connections to underserved communities in and around Ithaca, we definitely want to hear from you.
Our Gratitudes
Many thanks go to the following people who have shaped and grown the BWT program.
Former Directors
Margaret Johnson (2021-2023)
Hector Chang (2020-2021)
Victoria Armstrong (2016-2020)
Rena Scroggins (2014-2016)
Former Staff Members
Hector Chang
Grace Johnston-Fennell
Linda Holzbaur
Kartik Sribarra
Mason Wilson
Additional Thanks
Edna Brown (photographer)
Mary Buehler (website design)
Jess Hana (brand design)
Former Steering Committee Members
Karim Beers
Phoebe Brown
Lois Chaplin
Jennifer Dotson
Tom Knipe
Kent Johnson
Margaret Johnson
Daniel Keough
Jeanne Leccese
Jonathan Maddison
Jen Micale
Yasamin Miller
Davi Mozie
Sue Powell
Steven Powell
We'd also like to give a big special thank you to our donors and supporters. Thank you!