Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico

DEADLINE EXTENDED to March 1, 2011

On behalf of the Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico, the BCNM Education Committee announces the process for applying for the Gail Ryba Memorial Scholarship. In recognition of Gail’s many achievements and dedication to bicycle advocacy and bike education in New Mexico the BCNM Education Committee wishes to commemorate and honor Gail. 

Gail Ryba was born in 1962 in Seattle, Washington. She graduated Reed College and earned a doctorate in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology.

Upon moving to NM she was employed as a fuel cell researcher for Sandia Labs, where she co-founded the Sandia alternative commuters club.  Gail left the traditional work world and became a full time advocate for clean and sustainable lifestyles with a concentration on the bicycle.

She was a devoted wife and the mother of a beautiful daughter.

Gail founded:

o   Greater Albuquerque Spokes People now known as Bike ABQ.

o   Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico - awarded the first grant from the NMDOT with matching funds from the McCune Foundation and REI, which was used for statewide bicycle education.

In addition to her many other endeavors, Gail:

• Served a three year term on the Greater Albuquerque Advisory Committee (GABAC)

• Served as a GABAC representative on the Urban Transportation Planning and Policy Board

• Was Mayor Jim Baca’s Community Bicycle Liaison Energy Chair for the Rio Grande chapter of the Sierra Club

• Won the Phyllis Harmon Volunteer award from the League of American Bicyclists and was a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) from 2001-2010

 

Although Gail’s credentials are very impressive it is these comments from her Facebook page that truly lets one discover the person:

 “All any of us really have on this planet is our goodwill and action. Gail truly lived fully serving our planet, our community and her family.”

 “Thank you, Gail, for your tireless, dignified and thoughtful living.”

 “Gail was so smart, easy going, positive, friendly to everyone and just a lovely person.”

 “Gail, you stood for equality and fairness on so many levels. Your knowledge of science, politics, advocacy, organization, and diplomacy are unsurpassed. You excited people about bicycle advocacy, created several organizations, help write and pass bills, and never took credit for it. Gail is a modern day Rachel Carson.”

 The New Mexico State government has learned from Gail that it has an important role to play in promoting healthy outdoor spaces that are linked  by convenient trail and on-road routes, so that its citizens and visitors can cycle safely with families and friends.

 “I have never met a more totally selfless person than Gail Ryba”

 “We will miss Gail and now it is time for us to pick up where she has left off.”

 Gail died on May, 7, 2010 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

BCNM will continue Gail’s Bicycle education work with the Gail Ryba Memorial Scholarship Fund

To learn how to apply for the Gail Ryba Memorial Scholarship 2011 go here.

To download an application for the Gail Ryba Memorial Scholarship 2011 go here.