June 25, 2026  –  The 2026 Golden Modes celebration, which recognizes Triangle employers, organizations, and commuters who utilize and promote sustainable travel options in their daily lives and company cultures, were held on June 23rd at Marbles Museum in Downtown Raleigh. This year’s award winners span sustainable travelers, community leaders, vendor partners, and more.

This celebration is “about a shared vision for the entire Triangle,” said Kim Johnson, Sustainable Travel Services Manager at GoTriangle.

Raleigh Mayor Pro Tem Jane Harrison welcomed attendees by saying that the work of sustainable transit partners in the room ensure that “everyone can safely get around our city however they like.”

“Thank you for your dedication to accessibility and sustainability,” she added.

In addition to the award winners, attendees heard from keynote speaker Cameron Zamot, an entrepreneur, mobility advocate, and founder of The Bike Library and The Bike Library Café in Raleigh. With a background spanning engineering, solar energy, transit planning, and business development, Zamot has built his career around creating more connected communities. Zamot spoke of a journey that led to his “recovery from car dependence.”

“Cultural change is at the core of changing a city,” he said. “We’re not going to get there tomorrow, but we will get there.”

Attendees were also able to view two videos that celebrate sustainable transit champions in the region: Hannah Desrochers and Alison Smitley.

 

Congratulations to this year’s Golden Modes winners:

  • Carrboro Transportation Choices
    • Gold Bean - Carrboro Coffee Roasters
  • Chapel Hill Commuter Solutions 
    • Chapel Hill Mobility Champion - Ivy Clarke
    • Community Mobility Impact - B3
  • UNC Commuter Alternative Program (CAP)
    • Tarheel Transit Champion - Arlene Medder
  • NCCU Eagles Commuter Assistance Program (E-CAP)
    • NCCU Frequent Rider - Christania Stricklin
    • NCCU Frequent Rider - Neveah Dixon
  • GoTriangle Regional TDM
    • Sustainable Traveler - Lindsay Castret
    • Community Partner - Fleet Feet
  • GoTriangle Wake County TDM
    • Transit Champion - Fabian Rodriguez
  • Wake Tech Green Trek
    • Green Trek Soaring Eagle - Analemma Leia McKee-Schwenke
    • Green Trek Soaring Eagle - Yonathan David Azantchi
  • NC State University WolfTrails
    • WolfTrails Commuter of the Year - Hannah Desrochers
  • Commute Smart Raleigh
    • Commute Smart Hero - Melanie Rausch