Shawn Garcia is a native New Yorker, born and raised in a Puerto Rican family in the neighborhoods of El Barrio and the South Bronx. He began riding bicycles in New York in the late 1990s as a teenager and was an active member of the bike messenger community for many years. Inspired by a passion for social justice from a young age, he has dedicated over two decades to grassroots community organizing. Presently, he holds the position of Director of Advocacy at Transportation Alternatives, where he advocates for safe streets and more equitable transportation options for all New Yorkers, with a particular focus on communities of color and vulnerable populations.
For over 50 years, Transportation Alternatives has led the movement for safe, equitable streets in New York City because streets belong to the people of New York City. TA uses a combination of neighborhood-level grassroots organizing and citywide advocacy to push for changes in public policy, street design, and resource allocation that transform our city’s streets for the better.