Congratulations! Marin 2024 Bike Champion: George Osner

Help us kick off Bike Month by celebrating Marin’s 2024 Bike Champion of the Year! We asked you to nominate someone who inspires you and others to ride a bike. We’re excited to share Marin’s 2024 Bike Champion with you: George Osner. Read on to find our recent conversation with George.

Getting to know George Osner – Marin’s 2o24 Bike Champion of the Year

Biking is a central part of George’s life, contributing significantly to his fitness and well-being. He received his first bike on his 8th birthday, and nearly 70 years later, George still enjoys the same joy and freedom in cycling. We are delighted to name him Marin’s Bike Champion of the Year and have him represent our vibrant bike community.

For many years, biking was primarily a means of commuting. Early in his career, he worked in City Planning in Modesto, where he played a key role in designing and implementing a comprehensive bike plan and network of routes for the city. This experience taught him how to handle “unexpected opposition” and to approach challenges with creativity.

Later in his career, George served as coordinator of Stanislaus County’s Bike to Work Day, where he worked closely with colleagues from various agencies and representatives to build and maintain a robust cycling program.

George’s passion for using biking as a force for good led him to participate in the California AIDS Ride during the early days of the AIDS epidemic. This was his way of honoring a friend and colleague who had AIDS, and also marked the beginning of a new era for George, recreational and long-distance riding.

George continues to embrace the joy and freedom of biking. He rides several times a week with various groups in Marin, including the Old Spokes, Mariners’ Cove group, and Terry’s Gang out of Larkspur Bike Shop, which allows him to stay active and engaged with like-minded enthusiasts.

By promoting Marin County’s extensive network of bike paths, George supports safe and accessible cycling for all. He uses biking not only for personal recreation but also for everyday tasks and errands. His commitment to cycling extends beyond personal enjoyment to advocacy and mentorship within the local biking community.

In addition to his passion for biking, George is an accomplished photographer. He brings his camera on rides to capture the beauty of nature, and candid moments with fellow cyclists. His photography skills are put to good use in supporting Marin County Bicycle Coalition and the Marin Museum of Bicycling, where he contributes event photography to promote our missions and document events. Through these efforts, George continues to strengthen his ties with the local biking scene while also preserving its legacy through his lens.

A friend of George praised his leadership, saying, “For the past 8 years, he has led, organized, and motivated the Old Spokes Bike group’s weekly ride. George exemplifies everything that biking stands for and serves as a role model and advocate for Marin’s biking culture.”

George is an inspiration to us all and we are thrilled that he is Marin’s 2024 Bike Champion of the Year.