Anna Luten talks about being the first-ever cycling representative for the bike-crazy city Like many Amsterdammers, 28-year-old Anna Luten grew up with biking in her blood and rode to school every day. Cycling through the city becoming second nature. But even in a place where everyone seems to travel by two wheels, she didn?t expect to become the city?s first Bike Mayor.
Luten, who now works for the manufacturer Giant Bicycles as a brand manager, won the independent post by popular vote earlier this year, becoming the first municipal Bike Mayor in the world. It?s all part of a program created by the cycling advocacy group CycleSpace, which hopes to make Luten a model for other such positions in cities around the globe, in a bid to raise awareness and promote better transportation planning around the globe. While Luten doesn?t have official power, she does have the support of many Amsterdammers who prize biking?in a city of 1.1 million people, there are more than 1 million bikes?as well as the ear of a bike-friendly administration that?s devoted extensive resources to bike infrastructure.
Curbed spoke to Luten about her role as Bike Mayor, and goals for the position. The interview has been edited for clarity.

"I just started at the end of June, but it seems to be getting a lot of attention. Sometimes, people recognize that I?m the Bike Mayor on the street and it?s funny.  They ask me to help with certain things; ?can you help keep the cycle p...