JP’s Freedman leaves bike czar job

Nicole Freedman, a Jamaica Plain resident, is leaving her post as director of the City’s Boston Bikes program to take a transportation position with the City of Seattle, according to an email blast from her.

Her last day is today, March 27.

Freedman, who is a former Olympic cyclist, became the director of the program when it launched in 2007 and has held that role since, except for a short stint in Maine at another cyclist job. Under Freedman’s leadership, Boston rose from one of the worst-ranked cycling cities to a nationally recognized one that received an award from the League of American Bicyclists.

“I am proud of how much we have accomplished together for cycling here in Boston. Since launching we have added 92 miles of bike lanes and nearly 2,000 bike racks,” Freedman said in the email. “We have an award winning Community Biking Program, which has donated 4,015 bikes and trained 23,000 youths. And of course, the New Balance Hubway system has become a new Boston institution.”

She said that there are “exciting” happenings around the corner for the city, including an expansion of Hubway in late summer 2015.   “I am honored and humbled to have had a chance to serve you and all the residents of Boston these last 8 years,” Freedman said in the email. “I hope I have contributed to making Boston a great place to live, work and visit.”

Freedman said that Kim Foltz will be the “immediate point person” for Boston Bikes after she leaves.

Freedman also has been involved with Boston 2024, the organization attempting to bring the Olympics to the city. She told the Gazette she hopes to continue working with Boston 2024 in some way after she moves.

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