Meet Our Team

Safe Streets Petaluma is an informal all-volunteer organization, led by a small “Steering Committee”, with advice and project support from several dozen “Core Contributors”. “Membership” is free for people who opt into our mailing list. We do accept donations for operating expenses, mostly printing, traffic calming supplies, and web/social support) through our Fiscal Agent, Rebuilding Together Petaluma. We have robust informal relationships with other local NGOs having shared interests.

Steering Committee

Bruce Hagen

Bruce Hagen, a retired technology program manager, has been an eco-activist since Earth Day 1970. During his 45 years in Petaluma, he's left his leadership marks on Beyond War, Friends of Lafferty Park, the Phoenix Theater, COTS, Petaluma Green Lane, Citizens' Climate Lobby and now Safe Streets Petaluma. He authored 239 fortnightly columns for the Argus Courier from 1998 to 2008. He loves kids (including grandkids and adult kids), making music, dancing, gardening and just being outdoors.
Pete Gang

“I’ve been a bike rider nearly forever. As a kid, we’d get together to “go ride bikes.” We weren’t doing it for exercise or to get somewhere. We would “go ride bikes” because it was fun. Fast forward many decades: as an architect and climate educator/activist, I am acutely aware of the many shortcomings of our car-centric culture and equally drawn to the vision of tree-lined “streets for people” – streets that are safe for kids and seniors and less-able people and all the rest of us whether on foot, on a bike, rolling on other devices, or in a motorized vehicle.”
Nathan Spindel

Nathan moved to Petaluma in 2019 with his family because they loved how walkable it is. He’s a software developer who loves exploring Petaluma by foot and bike. In 2021, he and his neighbors advocated to make D Street safer and slower, connecting him to Safe Streets Petaluma. Nathan is focused on making our streets safer and more equitable for all ages and incomes. You may spot him around town with his 6-year-old daughter on a bright yellow cargo bike named “Bus”!

Core Contributors

Bernie Album

Biography
Teddy Herzog

Teddy Herzog is a general contractor specializing in the renovation of historic homes. He lives with his family in a 1900 Victorian in the heart of Petaluma. Teddy writes and speaks about pedestrian-oriented town living, exploring how communities evolve through lived, on-the-ground experience.
In addition to his work in the built environment, Teddy is a trained life coach and the author of a book on creativity and personal growth. His work explores emotional awareness, self-expression, and the development of a strong inner foundation. Drawing from years of personal practice, he encourages others to engage more fully with both their inner lives and the communities around them.
Teddy brings a thoughtful, human-centered perspective to his work, grounded in both the physical shaping of place and the inner work that supports meaningful community.
He is an avid hiker and leads hikes at Lafferty Ranch as a docent.
Kevin McDonnell

Kevin McDonnell is an avid cyclist about town. While he rides for the joy that bicycling brings, he is also committed to the Climate benefits and traffic reduction that getting folks out of their cars can bring to our community. Of course, those benefits only come if we have "Safe Streets." As Mayor in town, I try to ride or walk to all my meetings and appointments in town and, if out of town, using SMART and bike. The number one feedback that I hear in Petaluma is traffic complaints - speeding and cars not stopping - which effect pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle safety. Safe Streets is about reducing the risk from cars speeding and running stops so that it's safer for all folks in Petaluma.
Abigail Smyth

The globe-trotting Abigail Smyth, who spent seven years living in Senegal, Sierra Leone, France and Australia, returned home to California wine country in 2004.
She completed a Wine Business M.B.A. at Sonoma State University in 2010 and has immersed herself in the wine export market ever since.
She joined Crimson Wine Group as the export director in July 2015. Her philanthropic work includes being a long-time Board member for Team Swift, a junior cycling development team, Redwood Empire Food Bank (2016-2022), Santa Rosa Junior College Friends of the Petaluma Campus.
She follows the ethos that if one is able, one is obligated.
She resides with her partner, Bradford in Petaluma, CA, where she is an accomplished oarswoman.