More than a decade of full-time work advancing bicycling and walking at a statewide level have earned Lake Links board member Dorian Grilley a national honor. Dorian was recently named Advocate of the Year by the League of American Bicyclists.
The award honors a person “who has shown tireless commitment to promoting bicycling and walking” in their community or state. And that describes Dorian to a “T”! After serving as executive director of the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota and as a planner with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for many years, Dorian helped found the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (now BikeMN) in 2009. He has served as the organization’s executive director ever since, leading it in advancing non-motorized mobility throughout Minnesota through education, advocacy, and infrastructure enhancement.
Dorian will retire as BikeMN executive director in July 2023, but really he’s just shifting gears. He plans to stay very involved in advocacy at the local, state and national levels.
“I am honored to have dedicated my career to advancing equity and access in biking across our state and beyond,” Dorian said in announcing his retirement. “I am proud to leave behind a strong organization that I truly believe in, with dedicated and thoughtful people at the helm who will usher in the next era of biking advocacy and education in Minnesota. Even though I will be stepping down as Executive Director, I’m still planning to volunteer with BikeMN as an advocate at the Capitol and advocate for active transportation on a part-time basis with our communities.”
Dorian’s many accomplishments over the decades include co-chairing the Citizens Advisory Committee that guided the development of the 2001Lake Links Trail Master Plan. We’re looking forward to Dorian’s continued contributions as we work to complete the Lake Links Trail around White Bear Lake!