Cascade bike club director out, new leader sought

Chuck Ayers is out as executive director of the 14,000-member Cascade Bicycle Club after overseeing its rapid growth in membership and clout since 1997.

"There has been some tension between the board and Chuck about a variety of management issues over a period of time," said Peter Morgan, a board member serving as interim director. Morgan said the board is grateful for Ayers' work, but wants a new leader who can double its membership and deal with increased complexity.

Ayers said Monday the board thinks bigger is better, and wants more of a business model, rather than a community-organization model.

Political advocacy is a friction point as Cascade pushes with other groups to add bike lanes, trails and city funding for non-car projects, causing a backlash among some drivers. "I think they [the board] take a very PC approach and are afraid of people getting a little angry at us," said Ayers.

At 14,000 members, Cascade is likely the nation's largest regional bike organization, Morgan said. Besides advocating for bike facilities, it sponsors the Chilly Hilly group ride on Bainbridge Island, the Seattle-to-Portland (STP) Bicycle Classic, and the Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party (RSVP). Those events and others will continue, the club said.

A three- to six-month search is expected for the new director, who'll be paid $80,000 to $100,000.

Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com