Deb Banks, RUSA #4405

Sacramento, CA

Randonneuring has given me adventures and friendships worldwide. I am the RBA for Gold Country Randonneurs and lead RUSA's Gravel Committee. I served two terms on the Board (2016-2021), four years as Vice President, and during COVID, I helped lead the team that rebooted the permanent program. In 2023, I spearheaded the bag drop team at Paris-Brest-Paris.

For the past eight years I've directed a bicycle advocacy organization making streets safer for people who ride bikes. That work is part of why I'm running. Over the last 10 years, severe cyclist injuries and fatalities nationwide have risen 37%. Our own community has lost riders, and others, including me, have been severely injured. We can do more to help riders protect themselves while bringing randonneurs' experiences into road safety deliberations.

Actions and possible explorations: 

• RUSA Boards have worked to grow and sustain our membership and to make it more diverse. I want to continue those efforts and reach new riders through more channels than the newsletter, magazine, and website.
• Because RUSA runs entirely on volunteers, I'd like to check-in with each committee and region and find ways to streamline and support the people working on behalf of us all.
• If our finances allow, I'd explore two ideas: help for riders on tight budgets to reach PBP, and/or stipends for RBAs to try new outreach approaches.

If elected, I'll convene working groups that respect our traditions while embracing new ideas. RUSA's future rests with its riders, RBAs, and volunteers. Let’s go!

View Deb's interview with Emily

Questions: Contact Deb at goldcountryrandos@gmail.com.