Our hearts are heavy with the passing of former BikeTexas Board Member Mark Peña on March 29, 2020. Our thoughts are with his wife, Michelle, their children, Gabriel, Luke, Isabelle, Juliette, Anna, and Esteban, and his large circle of family and friends. See Mark’s obituary here.
Donate to Mark’s Memorial Fund Here
Mark leaves an indelible legacy for bicycling in Texas. In addition to founding Ciclistas Urbanos, a bicycle advocacy group in the Rio Grande Valley, Mark also served on the BikeTexas Board of Directors from 2012-2018. Mark was equally enthusiastic about legislative advocacy and bicycle safety education for children. He supported and led activities to encourage physical activity and bicycle safety. He loved his community in Edinburg and also worked to improve bicycling in McAllen and the rest of the Rio Grande Valley.
Five years ago, Mark organized a BikeTexas study tour for city engineers and planners in the RGV. This group, many of whom had not been on a bike in years, came to Austin to experience protected bike lanes and other infrastructure firsthand via eBikes. Participants took their new knowledge and went back home determined to improve biking in the RGV.
Mark played a key leadership role in passing local bicycle ordinances and state bike bills. He helped organize countless bike rides and children’s safety education events. Mark also provided counsel that helped BikeTexas purchase property for a future HQ and the acquisition of publishing rights for bike safety books.
Mark Peña will be missed by all of us who knew and worked with him at BikeTexas. Texans for generations to come will benefit from his generosity and commitment to a safer and greener Texas for biking and walking.
