Welcome Deb Clearwaters, our new Director of Development!

Where are you from? What led you to working at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition?

I was born in Iowa and grew up in Bethesda, MD. I studied Japanese art history and language at the University of Maryland and Keio University in Tokyo. After living and working in Japan, Cambridge, England, and Washington DC, I got my first art museum job at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. I led the education department in creating community and school programs and developed multimedia and web learning resources on Asian art. My role also involved fundraising and donor cultivation for the educational mission of the museum. I’m excited to devote my passion for cycling and community transformation at SFBike as director of development. I have a lot to learn, and I see so much potential to grow the organization’s capacity to make San Francisco a more bicycle friendly city. 

Tell us about your biking journey.

I remember my dad teaching me to ride when I was about 5 or 6 years old. My first bike was a banana seat cruiser that didn’t survive my brother Brian’s stunt jumps over trash cans in the front of our house. In college, I rode a Nishiki mountain bike, which I drove across the country with when I moved to San Francisco in 1998. I rode beater bikes for commuting when I lived in Tokyo and in Cambridge England in the 1990’s. Those experiences imprinted on me the joy of using the bike as a daily transportation. I started riding my mountain bike to work from Twin Peaks to Civic Center, and at Once I got a new hybrid Jamis and my fitness increased, and I started going on longer rides. I got the triathlon bug, riding with and volunteering with SF Tri Club. Around this same time, I became aware of the amazing work of SFBike and got involved as a member and Bike to Work Day ambassador.  

As a longtime member yourself, why is membership important to you?

I’ve witnessed first hand the benefits of SFBike’s work to improve bike safety in my 27 years in the Bay Area. The essential Biking and Walking Map,  various business discounts, and low-price membership made joining a no-brainer. As a volunteer, I learned about SFBike’s advocacy work and attention to the needs of community members. Members can count on staff to be a consistent voice at hearings, hold our city accountable for public safety, and engage productively with community leaders and city departments involved in planning and implementing transit, bike, and walking infrastructure. 

What do you do for fun in your spare time?

I enjoy planning bike adventures, seeing where I can go combining transit with cycling, although I tend to imagine a lot more than I actually get out to do! I’m lucky enough to have a yard with some fruit trees in Oakland and like nurturing plants in the garden. My partner and I enjoy seeing live music ranging from punk to jazz. I love talking to people about art, politics, music, and bikes. Let’s go for a coffee ride!