Two New Bike Converts Inspired by May’s Pedal Together

Helen Higgins, GSE research project manager, was randomly selected to win the $2,499 Tern E-Cargo Bike, which was generously donated by Tern founder Joshua Hon ‘89. When we met up with Helen, ‘22 MA, to hand over her shiny new black e-bike, she called it a "pinch-me" moment. “I never thought it would be so easy to win an e-bike,” she said. Helen, who feels so much more “joyful and happy” when she bikes to work, said she bookmarked the Pedal Together contest form and religiously tracked every bike + Caltrain commute from her home in San Francisco to the Stanford campus last May. “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call saying I’d won!”

At the hand-off spot, Helen learned how to remove the battery. She practiced propping the bike on its side so it could take up minimal space in her flat. We provided instructions on how to Secure Your Bike Safely. Then Helen was off.  Of her commute adventure back to the City via Caltrain, Helen said, “I laughed and smiled the whole way home. I'm not sure what people driving by thought, but it's been years since I last rode an e-bike, and it's still so much fun! I recommend bike commuting to anyone.” 

Super office administrator, Carmen Belluomini, has worked for Stanford Transportation for seven years. Despite being surrounded by cyclists, Carmen hasn’t owned a bike since she was 13 when she loved cruising the neighborhood on her red 10-speed. Over the years, Carmen’s hobbies changed, and her preferred mode of exercise became dancing at Prince concerts. However, she recently embarked on a health and wellness journey that motivated her to think about a return to biking. Luckily, she knew just where to turn: the desk to her right, where colleague Erin Fieberling sits. Erin, a Sustainable Transportation administrative associate, happens to be the department’s 1:1 Bike Chat guru. Carmen scheduled a 15-minute chat with Erin. 

“I didn’t know what to expect, but I found the experience to be professional and fun,” said Carmen. Erin was encouraging and provided valuable information on e-bikes versus traditional bikes, including links to explore buying new or used bikes, as well as find local biking groups. “Their tips on proper bike size were also helpful. Just because I’m short, I don’t want a little bike,” Carmen said with a laugh. “I’m super grateful for the 1:1 Bike Chat perk and can’t wait to join this beautiful bike community.” 

Schedule a 1:1 Bike Chat

Yunshu Fan, associate director for the Center for Teaching and Learning, had never biked around campus. She worried about traffic and felt unsafe. Then she took a Stanford Transportation-led guided bike tour as part of the Pedal Together challenge last May.

Before the guided ride, Erin Fierberling, again our resident bike whisperer, provided Yunshu with bike safety tips, including the “ABCs” (air, brakes, chain).  On the campus roads, Erin taught Yunshu how to ride in a roundabout, how and when to use hand signals, and provided safety tips, including the importance of making eye contact with drivers at stop signs. 

“Growing up, I only learned the mechanics of how to ride a bike, not safety and traffic rules, so I never felt comfortable enough to ride around cars and people,” said Yunshu. “The bike tour gave me knowledge and confidence to bike safely in the future.” 

“It’s a joy for me to help others feel more comfortable and so rewarding to hear the time Yunshu and I spent biking together inspired her to bike more in the future," said Erin.

Want to ride to, from, and around campus confidently? Bookmark this page for bike skills classes offered in fall and spring by Stanford Transportation. Watch for guided tours during the May 2026 Pedal Together Challenge. 

More instructor-led tours are coming next year during Pedal Together.