Who We Are MCBC Welcomes Cooper Miley to Staff
We are delighted to have Cooper Miley join MCBC as our new Volunteer Coordinator for Safe Routes to Schools. Cooper is passionate about building community with parents, students, and educators in Marin County.
Cooper is an avid cyclist and lover of all things two wheels. In his free time, he can be found riding his road or mountain bike on the myriad of great roads and trails throughout the county. Prior to SR2S/MCBC, Cooper worked for Backroads selling cycling and hiking adventure trips. He is also an active coach with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) and spends time coaching and mentoring high school athletes. We are thrilled to have Cooper join the team! We asked Cooper to tell us a little more about himself and why he rides!
What kind of bicycle(s) do you ride?
I’ve got a road bike, mountain bike and a gravel bike and I feel pretty good that they all get equal usage since we have so many terrain and ride options locally.
What do you like best about riding?
We have an incredibly vibrant community of cyclists throughout the Bay Area. When I moved here in 2016 I did not know a soul. Cycling provided an activity and opportunity to get to know people and build relationships.
What do you like best about the benefits of riding your bike?
I like that it’s an all ages activity that can be done for a lifetime. I get to teach elementary kids, coach high school mountain bikers and ride with seniors with millions of miles logged in their legs. The health, freedom, and social benefits are shared by all those age groups and it’s wonderful.
What would you have liked someone to tell you when you started?
Enjoy being a newbie. It’s that beginner’s state of mind where you get the opportunity for rapid learning of skills and advancing your fitness. Ask a lot of questions and try to ride with people with years of experience. Most riders will be receptive to your request.
Where is your favorite place to ride your bike?
I live in the East Bay and was quite excited when the Richmond Bridge opened to cyclists. I ride up Tam a lot and enjoy the gravel sections for the views and peacefulness of the ride.
What is your favorite ride/route in Marin County?
Other than Tam, I like riding my mountain bike at China Camp. It has something for riders of all levels.
What part of riding would you most like to improve?
Mountain biking has seen an explosion of popularity with kids due to NICA high school programs. A lot of effort is put into teaching safe riding and trail courtesy and etiquette. With kids showing responsible riding behavior I’d like to see more access for off-road riding.
What is your vision of bicycling in the future?
I would like to see the trend of robust e-bikes like cargo bikes to continue and be used in place of cars, especially for short trips that are just a few miles from home. It feels like a realistic behavior change and the reduction in traffic would be huge and everyone wins.
