Kyle Wagenschutz is the Director of Local Innovation at PeopleForBikes, a national non-profit working to get more people on bikes in the U.S. Kyle is leading a new three-year initiative called The Big Jump Project to expedite the planning and development of comfortable bicycling networks with a goal of doubling or tripling bicycle rates in 10 U.S. communities by 2020.

Prior to joining PeopleForBikes, Kyle served as the first Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager for the City of Memphis, Tennessee. Kyle’s job was to establish Memphis as a national leader and innovator on applying bicycle and pedestrian programs in a physical and cultural environment much more attuned to automobile transportation. Kyle worked to create the city’s first bicycle master plan, realign operational priorities, and secure outside funding to build more than 200 miles of new dedicated bike lanes and cycle tracks during his tenure. Additionally, Kyle oversaw the development of a new pedestrian implementation strategy which prioritized $200 million in pedestrian improvements over 20 years.

In 2013, the Association for Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals awarded Kyle with its Young Professional of the Year Award for exceptional accomplishments in the field of walking and biking. In 2015, Kyle was named a Champion of Change at a ceremony at the White House for his work in Memphis.

Prior to beginning work with the City of Memphis, Kyle spent eight years working with and serving as Director of Revolutions Community Bicycle Shop, a grassroots ministry of First Congregational Church Memphis, which focuses on providing affordable bicycles and bicycle repair to all Memphis residents, particularly those without resources to access retail quality bicycles and services.

Kyle received his Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Memphis in 2010, graduating with honors. He returned as an adjunct faculty member to teach bicycle planning courses after his graduation.

Kyle has been married to his wife Carrie since 2007 and now enjoys time spent with his two children, Ethan (6) and Adelyn (2). Kyle and his family reside in Longmont, CO and enjoy bicycling, soccer, playing music, and anything related to Star Wars.