Introduce yourself!
I’m Suzanne Day. I retired at the end of 2024 after a 34-year career in transportation demand management, or TDM (as opposed to tedium). The last 32 of those were at Valley Metro, the Regional Public Transportation Authority. I’ve lived in the Phoenix area my entire life. I’ve always been a nerd for bikes and transit, and I’m happy to be here to help spread the good news about urbanism.

What was your ‘Urbanism By Chance’ moment?
Oh, that’s an easy one. It happened after my divorce. It’s a long story—because, let’s be real, at 65, we all have long stories—but here’s the short version: I had spent ten years working at Valley National Bank in a job that was dry as toast. I left that job, went through a divorce, filed for bankruptcy, and got laid off—all in the same 30-day period. It was a rough time.
Then my mom said to me, “You should come and ride bikes with me. There are a lot of men that ride bikes!” And wouldn’t you know it? A year later, I met my second husband—my forever husband—in a bike shop. My mom actually met two of her husbands in bike shops.
But beyond that, the bike saved me. It gave me a sense of self again. I discovered the joy of getting places under my own power. It was a turning point that led me into the world of urbanism, transit, and advocacy.

Valley Metro
During your time with Valley Metro, what project or initiative are you most proud of contributing to?
I’m really proud of the work I did with bicycle promotions at Valley Metro. When I started working there, we only had an annual “Bike to Work Day.” But that grew into Valley Bike Week in the late ‘90s, and then, in 2006, it became Valley Bike Month.
I also worked with elected officials, including Greg Stanton—who’s now a U.S. Representative—to get more visibility for cycling. One of the other things I’m proud of is launching the Portable Bike Rack Loan Program. Valley Metro had a bunch of bike racks that we were only using once a year, and I thought, “Why not put them to use?” So I reached out to event organizers and got them to incorporate bike parking at their events. That program continues to this day, and it even inspired local bike valet programs!

Back in 2014 you shared a link for a survey about where & how the light rail should cross I-17. Last year, 2024, you got to see result that. How does it feel to see this progress and how enduring is a project like this?
Oh, it feels magnificent, Jamie. I mean, I was literally writing newsletter articles and knocking on doors to help get that light rail extension passed. Now, when I drive under that new lighted bridge at the I-17, it makes me so proud.
From start to finish, what was the process like and did the end result reflect what was wanted and needed from community feedback?
The thing about infrastructure is that it takes forever. You don’t just order a bus and pick it up like a new car at the dealership. You have to plan buses years in advance. The public had a big say in how the I-17 light rail project came together, but, of course, things changed along the way. I think the final result reflects the community’s needs, though, and I hope people see the value in these projects.
How has participating in Park(ing) Day assisted in your efforts as an activist?
Park(ing) Day really opened my eyes to just how much space we give to cars. For those who don’t know, Park(ing) Day is an event where we take over a parking space and turn it into something useful—like a little park, a café spot, or a bike parking area.
When I helped organize these events, I would bring those portable bike racks and show people that Valley Metro had them available for free. It’s amazing how much real estate is wasted on car storage, and when you physically transform a space, people start to see the possibilities.

Looking ahead, where do you see public transit in Phoenix 10 or 20 years from now?
I’m hoping we see more frequent service and smaller buses. For years, we’ve resisted smaller buses because they couldn’t handle rush hour, but post-pandemic, rush hour just isn’t the same. That’s what I’d love to see more of—frequent service that connects people to light rail and buses more seamlessly.
Bikes build Community

You are often quoted as saying “Bikes Build Community”, can you explain what this means to you and what the philosophy of it is?
#BikesBuildCommunity! It’s something that just popped into my head one day, and it stuck. What I mean by it is that riding a bike connects people.
You’re out in the fresh air, moving under your own power, and, let’s be honest, every cyclist has a common enemy—cars! (Just kidding… kind of.) But truly, I’ve found that biking builds strong, supportive communities. When you ride together, you build relationships, and those connections matter.
And I love being kind of a “grandmother” in the local bike community. I’m the one saying, “Come on in, sweetheart. You don’t have to wear spandex. Just ride.”
You were a founding member of biking advocacy group, Phoenix Spokes People, can you share the story behind the founding of that?
Phoenix Spokes People started after a friend of mine, Cristina, had a bad crash on the train tracks. She wasn’t familiar with how to cross them at a perpendicular angle, and she wiped out. The folks at a local bike shop helped her out, and she realized just how amazing the bike community was. That inspired her to bring people together and advocate for safer cycling.
A lot of our best advocacy efforts come from those random, serendipitous moments—someone crashing, someone stopping by a Park(ing) Day event, someone taking a bike ride and realizing, “Hey, this could be better.”
What are some of your favorite biking events you’ve put on or participated in?
Oh, hands down, one of my all-time favorites was the very first “Bike to the Ballpark” event in 1998.
That was back when the Arizona Diamondbacks were brand new, and we were launching Valley Bike Week. We thought, “Well, if we don’t do something big, the D-backs are going to overshadow us completely.” So I reached out to them and asked, “Have you thought about encouraging people to bike to the game?”
They loved the idea and gave us 100 free tickets to the very first game ever played at Bank One Ballpark (now Chase Field). Then, Circle K, one of their sponsors, jumped in and gave us 22 more tickets.
The best part? It was freezing cold and raining that day—but not a single ticket went unused. Every cyclist showed up. We rode together to the game, rain and all, and it was this incredible moment of community. That event really proved that people will show up for bikes, no matter the weather.
Another one I love is the MS 150 Ride. It was a 150-mile charity ride for multiple sclerosis research, and I eventually ended up helping organize it! It started as the “Best Dam Bike Ride”, going from Phoenix to Parker Dam. It was a two-day ride, and we had 2,000 cyclists and 500 volunteers. I first did it as a rider, then as an intern, and eventually, I was running it! That ride is what got me into event planning in the first place.

Do you have any personal stories of how biking has changed the way you experience or appreciate Phoenix?
Oh, absolutely. The biggest one that comes to mind is from 2013, when we were rolling out Grid Bikes, Phoenix’s first bike-share program.
We wanted to show how easy and fun biking could be, so we put together a bike vs. car race in downtown Phoenix. Daniel Valenzuela, who was a Phoenix City Councilman at the time, took the challenge. He was on a big, clunky Grid Bike competing against Rob Antoniak, who was driving a Porsche.
The challenge? They had to hit a few stops around downtown and take a selfie at each one before getting back to City Hall. And guess what?
🚲 The bike won by two minutes! 🚲
That moment really drove home how biking isn’t just a fun way to get around—it’s often the fastest way to move through a city.
And honestly, I experience this all the time. Biking makes Phoenix feel smaller and more connected. You run into people, you stop and chat, you notice things you’d never see from behind a windshield.
Rapid Transit
Favorite pizza joint?
Fatso’s at 32nd Street and Thunderbird!
First Bike?
A Schwinn Stingray—blue with silver sparkles, a banana seat, white grips, and fringe.
Go-to biking song?
If I need power, Pink or Springsteen. If I want something bike-related, “Bicycle” by Queen or “Yellow Bicycle”.
Longest Bike ride?
A 103-mile century ride on a tandem with my husband. Tandems are a secret weapon!
Buses, Trains, or Ferry?
Oh, I love them all! But ferries are the most exotic to me as a desert rat.
Urbanism Over Time
How have you seen Phoenix’s approach to urban planning evolve over time?
Honestly, I wish I could say it has changed a lot, but in many ways, the same fights are still happening. People are still lazy and greedy. But I do think we have a more engaged public now, pushing for better urbanism.
How is the urbanism movement different today, than the 80s and 90s?
The biggest difference today is that we’re more connected. The internet has helped urbanists rally around issues more quickly. And, unlike in the ‘80s and ‘90s, we now understand how urgent these changes are—climate change, pollution, and sprawl are all hitting us harder than ever.

Before shutting down and being rerouted in 1996, did you ever get the chance to ride any trains out of Phoenix from Union Station in Downtown Phoenix?
No, I didn’t. I remember knowing that the trains were there, and I remember seeing the station, but sadly, I never got the chance to actually ride one out of Phoenix before they shut it down.
I have taken Amtrak before, just not from Phoenix. In the early 2010s, Don (my husband) and I took some Amtrak trips, and I loved it. But oh, how I wish I had gotten the chance to experience a train leaving Union Station in its heyday.
Who knows? Maybe we’ll get that chance again soon. Greg Stanton is pushing to bring Amtrak back to Phoenix, so fingers crossed!
Did visiting the City of Sydney in 2012 and Perth and Brisbane in 2014 influence your view of cities? What city had had the biggest influence on you?
Oh, absolutely! Visiting Sydney in 2012 and Perth and Brisbane in 2014 really opened my eyes to how well-designed, walkable, and transit-friendly cities can be.
Of those three, Sydney had the biggest influence on me. The density, the energy, the public spaces—it was just incredible. You could feel how much the city prioritized people over cars.
The public transit was amazing, too.
Farewell
Now that you are retired, what is next for you as a transit and biking advocate?
Right now, I’m taking a deep breath and enjoying some peace and quiet. But don’t think for a second that I’m done!
I’ve been talking with local advocates, including you, Jamie, about revitalizing Phoenix Spokes People—and possibly creating a statewide bicycle coalition or advocacy network. There’s still so much work to be done for biking and transit in Arizona, and I want to help organize and bring people together to push for real change.
And of course, I’ll always be there when transit and biking need defending. There are shenanigans coming down the pike, and I’ll be there to fight for the people who rely on public transportation but don’t always have a voice in these decisions.
So what’s next? More advocacy. More organizing. More showing up and speaking out. Because the work isn’t done yet. 🚲💪

What advice would you give someone wanting to make a difference working in a transit service agency?
First and foremost, use the service! Ride the bus. Take the train. Walk to the stops. See what it’s really like.
One of the most frustrating things in transit planning is people making decisions about public transportation without ever actually using it. If you’re going to work in a transit agency and really make a difference, you need to experience it from a rider’s perspective.
Even if you don’t take transit every day, ride it at least once a week. See what works. See what doesn’t. Talk to the people who depend on it. You’ll gain a whole new level of understanding that you just can’t get from sitting behind a desk.
Also, be patient but persistent. Transit projects take years, sometimes decades, to come together. It can be frustrating, but small wins add up over time.
And finally—find your people. Advocacy doesn’t happen alone. Whether it’s community groups, fellow planners, or just other passionate people in the field—connect, collaborate, and keep pushing forward. 🚍🚆💪
Is there anything I may have missed that you would like to bring up?
I think you covered just about everything, Jamie! But if I had to add one last thing, it would be this:
Transit and biking go hand in hand. They aren’t separate issues—they’re part of the same solution.
Too often, people think of transit as just buses and trains, and biking as just recreation. But in reality, bikes extend the reach of transit. Not everyone lives right next to a bus stop or train station, but a bike can close that gap. And when people combine biking and transit, they can truly get around without needing a car.
So, my message to people is: Give it a try. If the bus doesn’t get you exactly where you need to go, try bringing your bike on board. You might be surprised by how far you can go—and how freeing it feels.
And, of course, thank you for everything you do to spread the message of urbanism, Jamie. The work you’re doing matters, and I appreciate you so much for keeping these conversations going.

If there’s anything you’re currently working on, feel free to share it with us here! How can our listeners support your work or get involved?
Oh, absolutely! If you’re listening and want to get involved, I’d love for you to follow and support Phoenix Spokes People.
🚲 Phoenix Spokes People is a local bicycle advocacy group that works to make Phoenix a safer, more bike-friendly city. You can find us at:
🌐 PhoenixSpokesPeople.org
📱 Facebook, Instagram, and Mastodon
We’re currently looking at revitalizing the group, so if you want to be part of that, reach out! Join our events, get involved in advocacy, and help push for better biking infrastructure in Phoenix.
I also want to see more coordination statewide—maybe forming an Arizona Bicycle Coalition—so if that’s something you’re passionate about, let’s talk!
And beyond biking, speak up for public transit. Attend city meetings. Advocate for better service. Every voice counts.
So, to everyone listening: Join the movement. Get involved. And, most of all—get out there and ride your bike!