Fernando Martinez, Director of Bicycle Programs for Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis’s Office, has dedicated over 30 years to the bicycle industry, blending a lifelong passion for cycling with extensive professional expertise. Born in Mexico City, Martinez began racing road bikes at age 13 and relied on bicycles as his primary mode of transportation, shaping his deep connection to cycling. His career spans roles as a certified Pro Race bike mechanic, manager of top U.S. bike shops, and National Sales Manager for Benotto Bicycles, Mexico’s largest bike manufacturer. After moving to the U.S. in 1987, he settled in Washington, D.C., where he managed City Bikes and a successful cycling team, later contributing to the launch of bike.com, the first online bike store, overseeing its plant and warehouse operations by 1999. Martinez’s advocacy work has significantly impacted bicycle education and infrastructure. At BikeTexas, he translated the Texas Super Cyclist Curriculum (now Safe Cyclists) into Spanish, enabling bike safety education for over 250,000 elementary school children annually. He managed two of the nation’s most successful Safe Routes to School programs, earning awards and recognition, particularly for engaging Latin-American communities. His efforts in Brownsville, Texas, helped the city achieve Bicycle Friendly Community status, while his leadership supported Harlingen’s multi-modal transportation initiatives. A former League of American Bicyclists Board Member and 2016 National Advocate of the Year, Martinez now focuses on fostering a strong bike culture in Houston’s underserved neighborhoods through the Bike RideONE Program, promoting cycling’s social, economic, and environmental benefits.