Deb Hubsmith, who went from executive director of the Marin Bicycle Coalition to state and federal bicycle advocacy positions, passed away on August 18. She was known throughout California as being a tireless force for the advancement of bicycling.
"Deb Hubsmith, an energetic force who helped push bicycling to the fore in Marin County and across the country, died Tuesday of acute myeloid leukemia at her home in Fairfax," writes Mark Prado for the Marin Independent Journal. "She was 46."
"Ms. Hubsmith also helped lead the development of the Marin County Safe Routes to School program and then participated in an effort to establish it throughout California," writes Prado.
She then led the advocacy effort to pass the first Safe Routes to School legislation by the U.S. Congress, resulting in $1.1 billion for the program in every state. She also founded the Safe Route to Schools National Partnership made up of 750 organizations.
The partnership is "a nationwide program that is saving the lives of children endangered by reckless drivers," writes Streetsblog's managing editor, Brad Aaron, in their tribute to this bike hero.
"Deb was a force of nature, a leader at the root of an entire movement," writes Shannon Tracey, communications director for Oakland-based TransForm in a stirring recounting of Ms. Hubsmith's remarkable talent and skill set.
Read the full story: Deb Hubsmith, force in Marin, national bicycle movement, dies
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