Bike Week 2013
The LADOT Bike Program would like to recognize the hard work of Nate Baird and congratulate him as he begins an exciting new stage in his career as the Mobility and Healthy Living Programs Officer for the City of Long Beach. During Nate’s time as Bicycle Coordinator, he played an integral role implementing numerous bike projects and leading efforts to secure funding for future projects. His contribution to the future of bicycling in L.A. has been significant and his measured presence in the Bicycle Program is already missed.
Nate joined the Bike Program in January 2011, eager to implement the newly adopted 2010 Bicycle Plan. Nate had recently completed an Urban Planning Master’s degree at Cal Poly Pomona and had spent a year interning at the Metro Bike Program. Nate’s interest in active transportation emerged when he began attending Midnight Ridazz bike rides and opting for transit and bicycling over driving places. In 2006, he took the plunge and sold his car, and he’s been a car-free Angeleno ever since.
Biking along the Expo Line
Under Nate’s guidance, the LADOT Bicycle Program sought and was awarded Safe Routes to School funding for three Bicycle Friendly Street projects in Pico Union and Pacoima as well as HSIP funding for the Year Two Bike Lane implementation package. He lead public outreach for bicycle lanes under the Year One bicycle lane package and conveyed the multi-fold benefits of bicycle projects while addressing public concerns with consideration and respect. His hard work and dedication also ensured that the Bicycle Wayfinding Project proceeded at a steady pace. Last but not least, Nate personally oversaw the installation of L.A.’s first buffered bikeways and the protected 2nd St. tunnel bicycle lane.
BPIT Meeting, April 2013
Nate is well-known in the department for approaching projects with thoughtfulness, creativity and a commitment to serving the public. I know I speak for the whole LADOT Bicycle Program team when I say that we are grateful for the opportunity to have worked with and under the direction of such an encouraging and knowledgeable colleague.
Nate’s hard work, expertise and passion for L.A.’s bicycle future has helped LADOT implement a new vision for L.A.’s bikeway system. Thanks Nate! We will miss you!
It’s ok, we know whose socks he’s wearing
LADOT BIKE BLOG 
I would echo the praise for Nate. A clear and thoughtful speaker, Nate has often helped explain to Neighborhood Councils and to those in the non-biking community what it takes to make our streets more bike friendly. Thank you Nate for all you’ve done and congratulations on all that I am sure you will continue to do.
Nate rocks.
[…] LADOT wishes Nate Baird adieu – Congratulations to Nathan Baird on his promotion to Mobility and Healthy Living Programs Officer for the City of Long Beach. Nate was the Bicycle Coordinator for the LADOT Bicycle Program. He’s been car free in Los Angeles since 2006. He’s helped implement the adaptation of the 2010 Bicycle Plan and have been instrumental in getting several programs which saw immediate benefits for cyclists across the city. I personally met Nate back in 2008 at the Bike Oven co-op when we were working on our bikes. I got to share some time with him on my commute home on the train and have seen him in various events over the years. He’s a great guy and I would like to wish him good luck on his future endeavors over at the City of Long Beach. […]
[…] has been three months since we announced Nate Baird’s departure from the Bike Program and while Nate is sorely missed, we are pleased share that we now have authority to hire someone […]