Founders
Gravity Cycle’s founding partners, Ro and Dave, 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 18 years. Gravity Cycles is a true triple bottom line business that aims to be profitable and therefore sustainable, it also aims to be good for physical health, and the environments health by reducing emissions and supporting environmental initiatives. Through due diligence, extensive research and a grassroots approach of getting involved in local communities and global organizations such as 1% for the Planet, Gravity Cycles has created strategic alliances with the best in the industry. We also emphasize promoting and using local business where ever applicable. They money we spend and the money we generate stays in the community, specifically Boulder. 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 and Co-Founder
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. Russell was responsible for West Coast operations and managed over 150 Dealers and Rep firms throughout 17 states. Most recently Russell has served as VP of Global Business Development, where he was responsible for opening up offices in London, Germany and Dubai to expand business into new markets. Russell’s passion for traveling and commitment to his work has brought him to 15 countries and 45 states within the past 2 years. Embracing many different cultures and meeting so many new people has helped to shape his vision to recognize the importance of sustainable enterprises on a macro level. Traveling has also helped to identify the direction of Gravity Cycles on a micro level for specific deployments.
During a visit to Barcelona, Spain, in the summer of 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 and shopping centers. 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. Russell’s family has owned property and spent an extensive amount of time in the Ft. Lauderdale Beach area for over 40 years.
Russell is a passionate leader driven to succeed by overcoming challenges through dedication, communication and teamwork.
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 and Co-Founder
David has conducted extensive market research and followed the progress of every major bike share program world-wide. David has a strong focus on business development and will work in conjunction with our partners and clients in developing creative solutions for our customers. This includes working with our vendors and understanding all of the hardware and software systems available while also continuing to seek out the best most proven companies in the industry to strengthen Gravity Cycles solution portfolio.
David majored in business at Bryant University of Rhode Island and also played four years of varsity football for the Bulldogs during championship runs learning the value of dedication and teamwork. 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 with experts in the field of LED technology and sustainable design. 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. These projects included the Second Avenue Subway project and the ARC Transportation Project that connects Lower Manhattan to New Jersey with subterranean transit tunnels under the Hudson river. In result, parties involved will reduce their energy consumption, maintenance costs and set a new precedence for all other existing transit projects.
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 change the way we look at our transportation lifestyle. This also includes partnering and supporting business that align with our vision and that support our relationship with 1% for the Planet Alliance. David has a passion for the outdoors including snowboarding, travel, cycling and surfing. 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.
