C.I.C.L.E. Directors and Steering Committee

Liz Elliott: Co-Director
Liz is a League Certified cycling Instructor, and the primary instructor for C.I.C.L.E.’s “Bikes in the City” Education Program. Liz is currently living a car-free life here in Los Angeles, and she has personally experienced the mental and physical health benefits of cycling for transportation. Moreover, she views cycling as an important way to rebuild and connect with community, and care for the earth and all of its inhabitants.

Shay Sanchez: Co-Director and Founder
Shay is a League Certified cycling Instructor and the primary developer of C.I.C.L.E.’s extensive web-based resources, and of C.I.C.L.E.’s “Bikes in the City: Education Program”. Shay discovered the joys and virtues of transportation cycling after a diagnosis with Lupus forced her to limit her cycling exploits to short in-town trips. She founded C.I.C.L.E. in 2002 to create a greater awareness about utilitarian bicycling, and as a way to address the manifold issues related to auto-dependency in a positive and solution oriented way. Shay believes that urban and environmental renewal can be achieved, in part, by everyday people making healthy transportation choices—with bicycle education programs being a core component required to create the shift.

Steering Committee

Rob Galbraith holds a Masters degree in Ecopsychology (integrates psychology and ecology in the study of human-nature relationships) from Naropa University. He has been involved with C.I.C.L.E. since 2006, and has contributed to its web development and research. He is currently working in landscaping with the goal of increasing the use and awareness of California native plants in gardens throughout the Los Angeles area. The bicycle has been a significant presence through much of his life and his time spent with C.I.C.L.E. has reinforced an interest in encouraging healthy, sustainable communities through engaging outreach and action.

Aimee Gilchrist graduated from Christian Brothers University with a Marketing and Sociology Degree. She has worked with outdoor industry environmental leader, Patagonia, for 3 years, where she actively engages her customers and employees in local environment actions. Aimee also managed the popular mid-south outdoor retailer, Outdoors Inc. Aimee has worked to establish biking as a sport and recreation through events such as Pedal for Paws, Tour de Wolf and Mid South Cyclocross Championship. She joined C.I.C.L.E. in 2007 and now seeks to promote cycling as a means for social and ecological change.

Jeannette Hilgert has a dual-master's degree in Social Work and Gerontology (the study of aging) from the University of Southern California. She currently works as a therapist with depressed individuals who utilize Los Angeles County Community Health clinics. A native Spanish-speaker- Jeannette has worked for the Venice Family Clinic, Blue Cross of California, and the Alzheimer's Association focusing primarily on public health/community mental health concerns in the Latino community. Jeannette lives a car-lite/bicycle-centric lifestyle. She has worked with C.I.C.L.E. since 2005, and is currently involved in expanding their Spanish language resources, outreach, and safety education training workshops.

Tony Jusay is a transportation planner with the Westside Area Planning Team at Metro. His work involves administering grants awarded to local agencies for pedestrian and bicycling projects and assisting in the implementation of policies and programs detailed in Metro's Bicycle Transportation Strategic Plan. He is also completing a Master's Degree at Cal Poly Pomona in the Regenerative Studies Program. Tony also has a background in the automobile drag racing industry and culture. His insider perspective and understanding of “car culture” continually helps C.I.C.L.E. reach new audiences in a friendly and compassionate manner. He has been involved with C.I.C.L.E. since 2005.

David Pulsipher has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism (with honors) from the University of Colorado and is currently pursuing a Masters in Urban Planning from UCLA. He was an Associate at one of Denver's leading management & strategic consulting agencies (GBSM), specializing in media auditing, strategy, and crisis communications. He worked as a communications specialist for the Federal Emergency Management Agency shortly after Hurricane Katrina. David currently works for Metro as the Bicycle Parking Coordinator overseeing all of LA County. David joined C.I.C.L.E. in 2007 and is currently heading the organization’s effort to install bicycle parking facilities at various businesses and institutions.