Advocate Spotlight: Kimber Perfect & Shawn Koser

Beyond the Bike Lane: How Two Ohio Advocates are Making Columbus Streets Safer

Every major policy change starts with a voice—often that of a committed volunteer. This was certainly true at the recent Columbus City Council hearing on the Complete Streets policy, where two passionate American Heart Association Heart Powered advocates turned their personal and professional expertise into powerful calls for action.

We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of Kimber Perfect and Shawn Koser, who both delivered compelling testimony urging the City Council to codify and strengthen the Complete Streets ordinance.

Kimber Perfect: A Survivor’s Call for Safe Mobility
Kimber Perfect is a Columbus resident and lifelong cyclist whose advocacy stems from profound personal experience. Nine years ago, she was struck by a motorist while cycling, resulting in a severe spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed.

In her moving testimony, Kimber highlighted how this policy is not just “city planning,” but a matter of health and safety. She explained that she uses a dedicated bike lane daily and relies on COTA bus stops, making safe, multi-modal transportation essential for her life.

“This policy will mean that I can choose to be active every day, which is the best medicine for a healthy heart, knowing that the City of Columbus prioritizes my safety.”

Kimber’s message underscores the fact that when infrastructure fails, the human body pays the price. By making streets safe for walkers, bikers, and transit users, the city directly supports active living, which is vital for cardiovascular health.

Shawn Koser: A First Responder’s View on Preventable Trauma
Shawn Koser, a member of the American Heart Association State Advocacy Committee, brought a crucial professional perspective to the hearing. As a Deputy Chief with the Columbus Division of Fire for the past decade, he and his teams are on the front lines, responding to traffic trauma every single day.

Chief Koser stressed that crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists are often a predictable and preventable community health crisis resulting from streets designed solely for fast-moving cars.

“We see the trauma: seniors struck while walking home with groceries and children hit while riding their bikes after school. Poorly designed streets not only cause crashes but also slow down our emergency response.”

He argued that safe, well-designed streets are safer for everyone and more efficient for first responders. From the AHA’s perspective, the policy strengthens the health of the Columbus community by removing barriers to physical activity—the “best medicine” for preventing chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

The success of the American Heart Association’s policy work relies entirely on the voices of volunteers like Kimber and Shawn. They testified on the real-world impact of saving lives and improving health. Their testimonies helped reinforce the Association’s push to ensure this policy is permanently codified and includes accountability measures.

Thank you, Kimber and Shawn, for your courage, commitment, and leadership. You are truly Heart Powered advocates!