about us
our team
 | Erik Olson Erik Olson moved to Beijing in 2000, learned Mandarin Chinese, found a job in a trading company and ended up staying for two years before returning to Madison to work in a bike shop and finish his degree. Now Erik draws from his experience as a commuter and racer to work with our vendors in Asia developing Planet Bike products. Love of bikes isn't something Erik leaves at the office. His house is filled with all manner of bicycles and parts, from finely tuned race machines to city cruisers. He can also be seen about town giving his girlfriend a lift on the back of his Xtracycle. |
 | David McMurray, Director of Sales and Marketing Before working for Planet Bike, Dave's lifelong love for bikes was stoked by living in Crested Butte, CO for the better part of a decade. As an avid cyclist and a regular bike commuter, the move back to Planet Bike was like coming home. Dave oversees the day-to-day operations of the company and is the Director of Sales and Marketing. He is proud to be part of a company that proves business can be an agent for social betterment. "It's great to be a part of a company that makes great products for cyclists and also supports important efforts to improve America's communities and environment through bicycle advocacy. My hope is that Planet Bike can continue to build a network within the bike industry that is committed to an alternate corporate purpose." |
 | Dan Powell, Sales and Marketing For a former van dwelling Bike Magazine intern, sometime bike 'Zine publisher, and eight year bike shop veteran, making the move to Planet Bike was a natural choice. "I'd ride my bike regardless of what my job was, but being able to work for Planet Bike is important to me because the company shares two of my core values; social responsibility and bicycles as a viable means of transportation," he says. Not only is Dan one of Planet Bike's Sales and Marketing guys, but he is also our resident 'cross super fan, card carrying BKB member, test pilot for our new products, handles our warranties and is the USCF certified mechanic who keeps the Planet Bike fleet running smoothly. "In the USA, people think bikes are toys. The rest of the world knows better. Bikes are tools that can empower the working man. I dig that." |
 | Jay Ferm, Advocacy Director Jay grew up in Rock Island, IL. After graduating college with a degree in Physics, he moved to Madison. Passing through careers in woodworking and cabinetmaking, which he loves, and IT management, which got boring, Jay finally decided to put his money where his mouth is and helped fund and start up Community Car, Madison's car sharing business. From Community Car, Jay came to Planet Bike as Advocacy Coordinator, operations guy and policy wonk. "I wanted to work for Planet Bike because I believe in the mission and the people are some of the most creative and driven I've known," Jay says. In addition to being a means from A to B, for Jay the bike is a medium for solving problems. "When I'm noodling on a problem, riding my bike allows me to reflect and to get to a clear state of mind." |
 | Chris Follmer, Shipping and Facilities Manager Growing up in North Prairie, Wisconsin, there wasn't much for a kid to do but rip around on his bike with his buddies in the Kettle Moraine area. For the newest member of the Planet Bike crew, there is still a great enthusiasm for bikes because of his concern for the environment and desire to live simply. His experience in warehouse management and furniture making also makes him a welcome addition to the company. He is excited and proud to be on the Planet Bike team and looks forward to assisting other bicycle enthusiasts. Aside from playing disc golf whenever possible and keeping our warehouse running smoothly, Chris can be seen around Madison commuting, touring on his Long Haul Trucker or hauling groceries on his Xtracycle. |
 | Mr. Helios, Director of Power Helios powers our photo-voltaic array, keeps us warm, and helps grow our crops. Each morning, he rises at dawn from the ocean in the east and rides in his chariot, pulled by four horses - Pyrois, Eos, Aethon and Phlegon -- through the sky, and descends at night in the west (So technically he has a non-auto commute to work). He also sees and knows all, and goes by the name Sol. |
| Bob Downs, Owner In November of 1996, Bob founded Planet Bike after a successful 8 year career at Trek Bicycle as Accessories Product Manager. He is an avid cyclist who has ridden up to 15,000 miles a year, most of which were commuting miles. He races competitively on road bikes, mountain bikes and cyclocross. Bob also enjoys touring and leisurely rides on his 1960s vintage Schwinn single-speed. All of this cycling experience helps Bob develop some of the best, most user-friendly bicycle products you can buy today. Bob's passion for combining bicycles and the principles of corporate social responsibility can best be summed up by one of his favorite quotes by Gandhi: "Be the change you want to see in the world." |
