In celebration of Bike Week LA, Metro would like to show its appreciation of those who ride bikes as their primary way of getting around. Nominees were submitted through metro.net, and were selected by a committee of Metro staff who also ride bikes. These individuals are contributing to a more sustainable transportation system, and will receive trophies and gift certificates to local bicycle shops.

Octavio Orduño: The Well-Seasoned Rider

At 103 years of age, Octavio could very well be the oldest living cyclist in the United States. Switching from a bicycle to tricycle when he turned 100, the Long Beach resident rides nearly every day, including to destinations such as the beach and the farmer’s market.

Victoria Shupe: The “Step Away from the Car” Award

Learning to ride a bicycle when she was 26 years old, Victoria saw the use of a bike as a way to improve her health. She now cycles three or four times a week to work in Santa Monica from her home in Koreatown, limiting her car use to only a few times per week.

Bernie Hernandez: Highest Mileage Rider

Bernie covers 46 miles a day on his commute from Huntington Beach to the Long Beach Airport and back, taking PCH, the San Gabriel River Trail and local streets. On top of this, he frequently participates in weekend group rides. At 50, he is probably more fit than the vast majority of people half his age.

Zara Roberts and Bryan Park: The Cute Commute – Functionality with a Dash of Romance

A couple for the last few years, Zara and Bryan have been riding together on the newest section of the L.A. River Bike Path from where it starts near Elysian Park to Victory Boulevard where it ends, and on to the office where they both work in Burbank. The pair recently bought their third tandem bicycle, but also ride on separate bikes when going to and from work.

James Lord: Multi-Modal Master

Taking his bike on the Gold and Purple lines from South Pasadena to the Wilshire/Western Station, James completes his journey to work at the Howard Hughes Center near LAX by riding. With the lifting of the Metro Rail restrictions on bikes, this commute is possible for cyclists around the clock.

Nayely Limon: The Pathfinder – Female

Cycling has been Nayely’s main form of transportation for the past 4 ½ years. At first she commuted with a BMX bike, but has switched to road bike more recently, which she regularly takes for 50-mile rides.

Gregg Silverman: The Pathfinder – Male

Constantly looking for new routes to get from his Culver City home to his El Segundo workplace, Gregg has found 17 different ways to cover the distance according to one co-worker. Typically, he can be seen on the Ballona Creek and Beach bike paths.

Allison Mannos: Cycling Advocate

As the coordinator of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition’s City of Lights program, Allison has been a strong voice for Latino immigrant cyclists, organizing workshops and giving out lights to enhance the safety of individuals who use a bicycle as their primary mode of transportation.

Philip Weis: King of the Mountains

Traveling between Sherman Oaks and West LA, Philip climbs more than 2,000 feet per day on his bike. He rides over the Sepulveda Pass in the morning, but prefers to take Roscomare Road when traffic is heavier in the afternoon.

Luis Ramirez: First Mile, Last Mile Rider

Luis addresses the problem of covering the first and last miles of his commute by cycling. Both his Long Beach home and his work site are a mile from a Blue Line station, so biking helps reduce the time it takes him to get to and from Metro Rail stations and allows him to save 52 miles worth of gas every day.