Trying to impress his grandfather while a boisterous toddler is Andy Rohrer’s earliest bicycling memory.
“I must have been no more than 4 years old, and the two of us went outside at a time when I had been wanting to start riding bikes,” recalls the new League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB) executive director. “I jumped on a bike that was in our driveway and was like, ‘Look, grandpa, look.’ ”
Going forward, Rohrer’s cycling adventures took him from rides near his Sparta home on his first 10-speed to trips on more advanced bikes to places such as one of Michigan’s first designated mountain biking spots, Cannonsburg State Game Area; the pathways of Arlington, Va.; the forests of Germany; and along coastal areas of Spain and steep cobblestone paths in Belgium.
Last September, Rohrer’s robust passion for the sport led to him being named the LMB’s director.
“Learning the ins and outs of the new role has been like drinking from a firehose at times, but I’m loving it,” says Rohrer, who before becoming the LMB’s director concluded a 26-year military career that included a stint as a senior defense policy adviser at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
Founded in 1981, the Lansing-based organization’s mission focuses on advocating for bicycle-friendly policies at the State Capitol; providing financial assistance to individuals and organizations with a shared mission; developing educational materials for bicyclists, motorists, and law enforcement; running several events and outings; and providing an extensive statewide calendar of bicycling events.
Rohrer wasted little time in getting involved. Last October, as part of a more active advocacy and education role, for example, he spoke with television station FOX 17 in Grand Rapids about the importance of understanding the differences between regular ebikes and higher-powered e-motos (with more powerful motors, higher torque and voltage), and how that confusion can shape policies and perceptions in ways that hurt cyclists.
“Sometimes, local municipalities lump ebikes and e-motos together when they’re completely different, because e-motos are almost like mopeds,” Rohrer explains. “It can lead to local ordinances that end up restricting where ebike riders can go.”
He has testified before the Michigan State House Judiciary Committee in support of the Vulnerable Road User (VRU) bills, which will strengthen penalties for drivers who cause injury or death to pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, and other at-risk road users by increasing sentences.
“Too often, victims and their families in these cases don’t feel like they’ve gotten justice because charges are just misdemeanors,” Rohrer says. “For prosecutors, it’s either that or file attempted murder or murder charges — which are more difficult to prove. The VRU legislation fixes that.”
Rohrer’s strong advocacy and leadership skills immediately caught the attention of LMB staff members such as Events Director Neal Glazebrook.
“Andy was ready to roll up his sleeves and help remind communities across the state that LMB is here, actively working to make cycling in Michigan safer, more accessible, and more welcoming,” Glazebrook says. “He has shown a deep interest in Michigan’s racing community and new partnerships are taking shape under his guidance. Andy’s approach is centered on embracing, informing, and educating racers about the vital work LMB does for them, their families, and their broader cycling networks.”
For Rohrer, the 10-speed rides of his youth eventually gave way to mountain biking when he returned to the Grand Rapids area in the mid-1990s after earning a history degree from Spring Arbor College.
Photo courtesy of Andy Rohrer.
Upon enlisting in the United States Army in 1999, Rohrer took both of his bikes to the Fort Irwin National Training Center in California, where he was first stationed. His time for cycling waned during the next dozen years as he completed officer candidate school, married, welcomed two children, and served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.
His love of biking was fully reborn when he began working at the Pentagon in 2013, often commuting by bike 6 miles to work. Weekends were spent on the trail networks nearby and elsewhere.
Rohrer began his NATO tenure in the summer of 2020 as a strategic issues team leader before transitioning to his final role three years later. During those years, he pedaled on lots of scenic long-distance cycling adventures in Europe.
An uncanny sequence of events brought Rohrer and the LMB together. He learned of the opening through a friend just as he had begun the process of retiring from the Army with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
“(My friend is) an avid cyclist and sent me the job listing, and she suggested I would be a perfect fit,” Rohrer says.
Bill Brennan, chairman of the LBM, and his fellow board members agreed. “Andy impressed everyone with his exceptional communication skills and thoughtful approach to team-building, organizational strategy, fiscal responsibility, and public policy,” Brennan says. “After a thorough vetting process, we were excited to endorse Andy for the job.
“Andy has done a fantastic job connecting with staff and key partners, getting to know Michigan’s cycling scene, and putting together a strategy for our next phase of growth,” Brennan adds. “He’s making important decisions and recommendations about resource allocation and fundraising, and we’re looking forward to seeing Andy’s energetic stewardship for 2026 and beyond.” 
More Information:
League of Michigan Bicyclists
lmb.org
