The Golden Wheel Awards honor those individuals and groups who are making a difference in transforming San Francisco into a more people- and bike-friendly place. This year, we honor Leah Shahum, an SF bicycle advocacy legend, and SF Bay Area Families for Safe Streets, a group of people who have lost loved ones to traffic collisions.

For full event details, view the Golden Wheel Awards website here.

Honoree: Leah Shahum

As the founder and director of the nonprofit Vision Zero Network, Leah supports local communities across the nation working toward Vision Zero — the goal of zero traffic deaths or severe injuries among all road users. Since the Network started three years ago, the number of Vision Zero communities has grown from just two to more than 30, with an emphasis on key principles, such as elevating equity and prioritizing speed management. Prior to this, Leah served as the longtime Executive Director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, where her leadership helped grow the organization’s strength, as well as the number of people biking and vast improvements in the Bike Network and related policies. Leah also served on the Boards of Directors of the national Alliance for Biking & Walking, SF Municipal Transportation Agency, and Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District.

Honoree: San Francisco Bay Area Families for Safe Streets

San Francisco Bay Area Families for Safe Streets is a volunteer group of individuals who have lost loved ones or been injured in traffic crashes. The SF Bay Area group is one of eight Families for Safe Streets chapters in North America, including the original group in New York City. Members of SF Bay Area Families for Safe Streets work to raise awareness of traffic violence, advocate for safe streets projects and policies, and provide assistance to others who have had similar experiences. By turning their grief into action, the group works to ensure that others don’t have to suffer the losses they have.