With the passing of Helen Rittenberg on August 8, Newton lost a warm, welcoming, multidimensional friend who touched people in many ways. She will be remembered as an educator and educational psychologist, the former Principal of Williams Elementary, and a staunch advocate for many progressive causes. Along with her wife and lifelong partner, Lois Levin, Helen co-founded the advocacy group Bike Newton.
Helen and I first met in late 2007 or 2008, when out of the blue, Lois and Helen called me to talk about forming a new organization to promote safe bicycling in Newton. At that time, I had been a member of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force and had worked to draft a nascent Bicycle Plan as part of Newton’s efforts to develop a Comprehensive Plan for transportation. Helen and Lois thought that I might be interested in joining their new organization called Bike Newton.
Bike Newton was formed in 2008 as a grass-roots organization to promote bicycle use and safety. It was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 2009. The effort was the brainchild of Helen and Lois, who had both been active in Green Newton and supporters of “green” transportation. Their philosophy was based on inclusion: Everybody should be able to safely ride a bike in Newton. Nobody should be intimidated from riding. Whether you are old or young, expert or novice, an occasional or daily rider, bicycling should be a safe and welcoming option for you. Bicycling is not just for the “Lycra clad” bicyclist wearing tight clothing and riding 30 miles per hour in heavy traffic!
In 2009, Helen and Lois organized the first-ever forum for mayoral candidates on Transportation planning. As a joint effort between Bike Newton and the Green Decade Coalition, this was a sentinel event in Newton for City leadership to discuss how transportation issues affect our city, its growth, and development, and our overall quality of life. The items discussed at this forum led to policy decisions in Newton that promoted a greater emphasis on sustainable, environmentally friendly transportation options that paid attention to pedestrians and bicyclists.
Over the next 15 years, Helen advanced the mission of Bike Newton through her characteristic calm and rational manner. Perhaps it was her persona as a schoolteacher and principal, and later as an educational psychologist, that kept everyone focused and in order. Incrementally, although perhaps not at the speed Helen wanted, she advanced the goals of the organization. Bike Newton was given a seat on Mayor Warren’s Transportation Advisory Committee. A bicycle coordinator was appointed for the city. Bike lanes started appearing on our streets. New bicycle racks were installed. Bike safety workshops took place in the schools. More kids started biking. Bike Rallies and group rides were organized, and hundreds of people participated. A new bicycle-sharing program took hold. Helen helped produce a bicycle network map and worked tirelessly to move the city towards a full Bicycle Network Plan. And now finally, indeed, the city is about to release this Bicycle Network plan.
Helen had the amazing ability to gather groups of people with different opinions and even different agendas and bring them towards a place of collaboration. She did this through her calm perseverance and reassuring attitude. Her mantra was kindness and compassion. She was always able to make her points known but often with a sense of humor. Suddenly more people were joining Bike Newton, and public officials were agreeing on things. Although we all wish things happened more quickly, good outcomes were happening.
Helen’s role in Bike Newton is just a part of her legacy and how she will be remembered. It was a joy and privilege to have known Helen Rittenberg and to have had a chance to participate in a cause that she cared deeply about. I firmly believe that one day, Newton will have a wonderful, safe, and interconnected bicycle network, and our world will be at least a little bit of a better and safer place — and this will happen in no small part due to Helen’s leadership, vision, and determination.
A celebration of Helen’s life will be held at her home in Waban on September 3. See her obituary.
Srdjan Nedeljkovic is a member of the Bike Newton Steering Committee.
