About Us
Inspired by Love for Transit and Community
2020 TranspoBINGO winner, Eleanor Ory, in the center, along with co-organizers Erin Palmer and Rachel Maisler. Image by Ted Nigrelli used with permission.
Our Story
TranspoBINGO launched in February 2020, created by Rachel Maisler (aka HandlebarsDC), a city cyclist and transportation advocate, and Erin Palmer, a former neighborhood-level elected official in DC. It grew out of many late-night conversations fueled by a shared love of public and active transportation, public spaces, and community-building.
Inspired by the Action Committee for Transit in Montgomery County’s challenge inviting elected officials to get around without their cars, using only public and active transportation for a week, TranspoBINGO highlights the everyday experiences of people who rely on non-car travel.
The goal is simple: build understanding, accountability, and momentum for more and better investments in trains, buses, bike lanes, sidewalks, and other people-first infrastructure. TranspoBINGO invites elected officials, decisionmakers, and neighbors alike to engage more deeply with how our transportation system works—and how it can work better for everyone.
It’s also fun, playful, and a powerful way to build community.
Meet the Team
As TranspoBINGO grows, a Committee currently leads the event.
Erin Palmer
Co-Creator & TranspoBINGO Committee Member
Erin served as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in DC from 2019-2024. She is a passionate advocate for affordable housing, robust public services, and government ethics.
Rachel Maisler
Co-Creator & TranspoBINGO Committee Member
Rachel represented Ward 4 on the Bicycle Advisory Council from 2017-2024 and served on the Age-Friendly DC Task Force.
Ashley Ruff
TranspoBINGO Committee Member
Ashley is an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in Ward 7.
Janell Pagats
TranspoBINGO Committee Member
Janell Pagats is the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for Single Member District 3C03. Janell has served as a Commissioner since 2021, including as Vice Chair of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3C and is currently the Chair. She is a WMATA Top 1%er!
Angela Allison
TranspoBINGO Committee Member
Angela is an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in Ward 1.
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Travis McIntyre
TranspoBINGO Committee Member
Travis loves exploring how to get around with public and active transportation. He lives in Ward 1.
Aru Sahni
TranspoBINGO Committee Member
Aru is an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in Ward 5. When he's not on his bike, he's walking his dog, Motley, along the Metropolitan Branch Trail.
Mónica Martínez López
TranspoBINGO Committee Member
Mónica serves as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in Ward 5. She's been getting around on her feet since she was 10 months old, and enjoys riding the bus and watching the city pass by the window. She's a fierce advocate for DC's autonomy.
TranspoBINGO 2026 SPONSORS
TranspoBINGO has been lucky to have some incredible sponsors, including the following TranspoBINGO 2026 sponsors: Greater Greater Washington, Coalition for Smarter Growth, and metrobar, which have sponsored the event since it started, as well as Hill Family Biking, Bunch Bikes, WABA Cargo Bike Library, Ward 5 Family Biking, RideFlow DC, RideScore DC, BicycleSPACE, Upshift Workshop, Petworth for Safer Streets, DC Families for Safe Streets, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, Virginia Railway Express, Ground Shift Studio (Chalk Riot), Sierra Club DC, Ward 8 Woods Conservancy, Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail, The Hill is Home, Ward 6 Public Schools Parent Organization, Capitol Hill Association of Merchants and Professionals (CHAMPS), District Bridges, Game Genius, DC Gaymers, Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, District Karaoke, Big Chair Chess Club, The Upskilling Labs, the League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia, the APA (American Planning Association) National Capital Area Chapter, Georgetown University Urban & Regional Planning Program, Cleveland Park Smart Growth, Cleveland and Woodley Park Village, DC History Center, and Atlas Brew Works.