Meet Our Team

This text is to help your site visitors with pressing questions.

Sara Stace

Vice president

Sara Stace is a city shaper with extensive knowledge about cities, land use, and urban transport. She has worked at federal, state and local government, and the private sector for over 25 years. She is a registered Architect with a passion for creating better streets for every body. 

Sara is Treasurer of the World Cycling Alliance (not-for-profit based in Belgium), and former chair of Cycling Walking Australia New Zealand (CWANZ) comprising every state government and the NZ Government. She has written and co-authored over 20 publications including for United Nations and the Australian Government.

Sara joined Better Streets because, when when she was working for the Australian Government’s Major Cities Unit 15 years ago, she realised that the most impactful difference we could make to people’s lived daily experience is by making better, walkable streets for every community. 

Sara’s favourite street is in Five Ways in Paddington Sydney. It has regular buses, a mix of grocery shops, cafes, and a great vibe. But it’s also safe and inviting to walk and hang out. Her kids’ daycare takes 3-4 year olds out for daily walks to explore the neighbourhood - that truly is a sign of a successful streetscape! 

Sam Reich

President

Sam is a retired geologist, originally from the USA but with over 35 years in Australia. He has a long-held passion for cycling as transport, for long distance touring as well as commuting.
Sam is President of the Newcastle Cycleways Movement Inc. (the local Bicycle Users Group), is on the Steering Committee of the CycleSafe Network initiative, and sits on the City of Newcastle Cycling Strategy Working Party. He is also a committee member and representative for Rail Trails Australia.
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John McNeil

Secretary

John retired to Sydney after 40 years as a consultant specialising in process-improvement and marketing, in the Northeast United States. He now lives in Annandale with his wife, near his daughter and grandchildren.
He has broad analytical skills including statistical analysis and Geographic Information Systems which help him in his work on Bicycle Advocacy and First Nations rights.

John has degrees in Electrical Engineering and Accounting from the University of Newcastle, and is a Certified Management Accountant (USA).

Board members

This texts is to help your site visitors with pressing questions.

John McNeil (Secretary)

John retired to Sydney after 40 years as a consultant specialising in process-improvement and marketing, in the Northeast United States. He now lives in Annandale with his wife, near his daughter and grandchildren.
He has broad analytical skills including statistical analysis and Geographic Information Systems which help him in his work on Bicycle Advocacy and First Nations rights.

John has degrees in Electrical Engineering and Accounting from the University of Newcastle, and is a Certified Management Accountant (USA).

Sara Stace (Vice President)

Sara Stace is a city shaper with extensive knowledge about cities, land use, and urban transport. She has worked at federal, state and local government, and the private sector for over 25 years. She is a registered Architect with a passion for creating better streets for every body. 

Sara is Treasurer of the World Cycling Alliance (not-for-profit based in Belgium), and former chair of Cycling Walking Australia New Zealand (CWANZ) comprising every state government and the NZ Government. She has written and co-authored over 20 publications including for United Nations and the Australian Government.

Sara joined Better Streets because, when when she was working for the Australian Government’s Major Cities Unit 15 years ago, she realised that the most impactful difference we could make to people’s lived daily experience is by making better, walkable streets for every community. 

Sara’s favourite street is in Five Ways in Paddington Sydney. It has regular buses, a mix of grocery shops, cafes, and a great vibe. But it’s also safe and inviting to walk and hang out. Her kids’ daycare takes 3-4 year olds out for daily walks to explore the neighbourhood - that truly is a sign of a successful streetscape! ​

Sam Reich (President)

Sam is a retired geologist, originally from the USA but with over 35 years in Australia. He has a long-held passion for cycling as transport, for long distance touring as well as commuting.
Sam is President of the Newcastle Cycleways Movement Inc. (the local Bicycle Users Group), is on the Steering Committee of the CycleSafe Network initiative, and sits on the City of Newcastle Cycling Strategy Working Party. He is also a committee member and representative for Rail Trails Australia.
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A passionate advocate for improved public transport and for a serious approach to safe cycling infrastructure, Sam believes strongly in their transformative beneficial effects on the urban environment.