Like many American children, Dean and Deb Mathias learned to ride bikes at an early age. Unlike most, however, the couple has cultivated that rite of passage into an enduring passion—one that has introduced them to lifelong friends, been shared with multiple family generations, taken them all over the globe, and guided them to give back to their community. Today, Deb and Dean are two of the biggest champions of bicycling and recreation in the Quad Cities. Deb is secretary of the Quad Cities Bicycle Club, while Dean sits on multiple local committees, advocating for projects that enhance the region’s bikeability and walkability.

The couple recently partnered with the Quad Cities Community Foundation to establish the Deb and Dean Mathias Endowment for Bicycle and Pedestrian-friendly Communities. To be fully funded by a gift from the couple’s estate after their lifetimes, the fund will provide grants for multi-use paved recreation trails and trail bridge infrastructure in the bi-state region.

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BIKEIOWA NOTE: KUDOS to Deb and Dean for their lifelong volunteering, activism and investments in the community! Definitely read the entire article. Iowa needs more Deb and Deans!