How it Started
History
This is the story of a girl. Who saw a city that was missing – something. More bikes! That is what it needed. Meet Kristy Jackson. A lady with a mission to see a safe and sustainable transportation future for Raleigh.
10 years later and Kristy got something rolling that continues to build momentum and a movement for safer streets. See a snapshot of our Oaks and Spokes history below. Or see our photo albums throughout the years on our smugmug page here.
Year 1
2012
Local advocate Kristy Jackson founded Oaks and Spokes to help advance better facilities and change policies that impact the ability to safely and efficiently ride a bicycle in Raleigh and in North Carolina. Community members appeared in front of City Council to advocate for safe bicycling facilities on Hillsborough Street.
Year 2
2013
The first Oaks and Spokes Festival was held in March 2013 and had over 1,200 participants. Oaks and Spokes has held Bike Month activities each spring since March 2013 through collaborations with the business community and the City of Raleigh.
Year 5
2016
Oaks and Spokes is incorporated as a non-profit in 2016, giving us more flexibility to pursue additional funding opportunities that align with our mission.
The first interim board was formalized after a newly drafted set of Bylaws were adopted. In this year the organization held its first membership party and board elections.
Year 8
2017
Oaks and Spokes began work with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission to select a location and pursue a separated bikeway downtown. After a successful temporary installation and test pilot in April 2019, the pilot became a permanent installation.
Year 10
2021
It’s a big year for Oaks and Spokes! We hire our first staff member and get really intentional about building our organizational capacity and accelerating access for all in Raleigh. The work of our staff is supported by 8 board members.
Another big, welcome, surprise. The League of American Bicyclists announces we are the “Club of the Year”.
We can’t wait to continue to build momentum for people powered places with every single one of you, Raleigh. Let’s do it.
Year 11
2022
Oaks and Spokes was awarded its first contract to provide programmatic support to Wake County’s Safe Routes to Schools Program. We were able to make our second hire for a part-time staff person to fulfill the grant obligations. Our board grew from an 8-member group to an 11-member group to reflect Raleigh’s growing population.
The organization was able to successfully fundraise enough to hire a full time, permanent Executive Director in 2023. We’re excited about what’s to come.
Did You Know ...
Many of the photos on this site are from talented board members (past and present!). Check out Cody Stokes Photography to see more photos and work with Cody.
Leadership Past & Present
Board Presidents
