Founders
Gravity Cycle’s founding partners, Russell Altman and David Clark, are longtime friends and devoted social entrepreneurs that have made developing creative sustainable solutions for bike sharing their top priority. Russell and David have been riding bicycles together for over 20 years.
Through due diligence, extensive research and a grassroots approach of getting involved in local communities and global organizations, Gravity Cycles has created strategic alliances with the best in the industry. We also emphasize promoting and using local business where ever applicable. The money we spend and the money we generate stays in the community. Gravity Cycles is a leader in the emerging bicycle sharing industry by creating their own niche as a vendor neutral bike sharing company that offers flexible and creative solutions to anyone interested in bringing bicycle sharing to their community.
Russell Altman
Chief Executive Officer
Prior to co-founding Gravity Cycles in the fall of 2008, Russell spent the past 6 years working in the lighting industry as a sales manager for his family’s business. Altman Lighting is a 60 year old, family owned and operated, lighting manufacturer that specializes in professional Theatrical, Architectural and TV/Film fixtures; with a special emphasis on LED – Energy Efficient Lighting Solutions. Russell was responsible for West Coast operations and managed over 150 Dealers and Rep firms throughout 17 states. Russell’s passion for traveling and commitment to his work has brought him to 18 countries and 45 states since 2007. Embracing many different cultures and meeting so many new people has helped to shape his vision to recognize the importance of sustainable enterprises.
During a visit to Barcelona, Spain, in 2008, Russell became fascinated by the concept of bike sharing. It was there that Russell saw the need to bring bike sharing to the US. Specifically to target college and university towns, tourist destinations, hotels and marinas. Since then, Russell has worked to strategically align Gravity Cycles with trusted industry leaders that share in his vision to integrate bicycle sharing as a form of alternative, healthy, and environmentally friendly transportation.
As an All American High School Lacrosse player, Russell learned the values and strength of teamwork. After college, he has donated 5 years of his time to coaching his former high school’s varsity lacrosse team. Ending the 2008 season on a high note, by winning the New York State Championship, and the US Lacrosse Coach of the Year honors.
Russell’s love for the outdoors has made him an avid skier, surfer, hiker and cyclist. In the summer of 2009, Russell moved and re-located Gravity Cycles from New York City to Boulder, Colorado.
As a triple bottom line business, Gravity Cycles was founded under the belief that we have a social responsibility to leave this planet better than we found it.
David Clark
Executive General Manager
David has conducted extensive market research and followed the progress of major bike share programs world-wide since 2007. David has a strong focus on business development, project management and strategic planning and will work in intimately with our clients to develop creative solutions for your project. Every program is different and requires a high level of attention to detail, the ability to ask the right questions and an expertise that David brings on any project.
Most recently, David is the Manager of System Planning and Operations for Boulder B-cycle. David was brought on as an advisor to over see the start-up of Boulder Bike Sharing which owns and operates the B-cycle turn-key bicycle sharing system. David’s expertise includes the system planning, public process, managing of sub-contractors, implementation and now oversees the on going system expansion and operations in Boulder, Colorado. David also obtained large corporate contracts and sponsorships to generate revenue for the program. This hands on experience provides Gravity Cycles with an intimate knowledge of the full life cycle of bicycle sharing projects from inception through operation.
David majored in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Bryant University. David worked for Philips Luminaries in their New York City Sales Office as an outside sales representative and project manager. David participated in LEED training and while in Manhattan, David had the opportunity to develop creative solutions and manage budgets for architects, engineers and city planners on multiple large scale municipal transportation projects for the MTA and Port Authority. In result, parties involved will reduce their energy consumption, maintenance costs and set a new precedence for all other existing transit projects in Manhattan.
David values social responsibility, sustainable design and environmental conservation. These values are what led to the pursuit of creating and executing a successful business model for bike sharing in the United States and abroad to change the way we look at our transportation culture. David has enjoyed working with other social entrepreneurs and local community members who share the same vision of making bike sharing possible in the United States and around the world.