Gail Naomi Ryba, a dedicated bicycle and renewable-energy advocate, died at home Friday morning after a battle with cancer, surrounded by her family.

Ryba, 47, a Santa Fe resident, headed up the Coalition for Clean, Affordable Energy and had worked for years to improve bicycling safety around the state. She founded the Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico and was a member of the New Mexico Department of Transpiration's Bicycle, Pedestrian and Equestrian Committee.

"If it wasn't for Gail Ryba there would be no bicycle advocacy in Santa Fe," said Tom Rael in a post on a Facebook page established for Ryba. "She found the city's 'three-year plan' for cyclists was ten years old and went to work! We have so many more trails, shoulders, signs, maps and awareness as a direct result of Gail's work. All of this and I rarely saw her without a smile."

Gail was born in Seattle, Wash., on Nov. 30, 1962. She was a graduate of Reed College and earned a doctorate in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology.

Ryba worked for Sandia Labs as a fuel cell researcher. She was part of a team that patented a fuel cell and membrane project in 2005. While in Albuquerque, she co-founded the Sandia Bicycle Commuters Group and then the Greater Albuquerque Spokes People (GASP), a bicycle advocacy group that became BikeABQ. She left Sandia to become executive director of the Coalition for Clean, Affordable Energy, a group of conservation and renewable-energy groups that worked to beef up renewable energy standards in the state.

Ryba taught basic bicycling skills to women and urged people to use bikes whenever possible. Her friends say she encouraged people to strive for their dreams. "If you could choose anyone to pace you in life, you couldn't do better than Gail," said Elena Kayak. "She always made us try harder, be clearer and not ever get discouraged."

University of New Mexico law professor Denise Forte said Ryba "fought for renewable energy before the Public Regulation Commission, and lived her ideals, bicycling across town and eschewing air travel."

Carolyn Stephenson, director of The Community Farm, called Ryba "the best community organizer and builder I've ever met."

Stephenson recounts she once told Ryba that when she's depressed she waters her gardens. "Without skipping a beat Gail responded, 'when I get depressed, I drive a car,' " Stephenson said.

Gov. Bill Richardson proclaimed March 4, 2010, as Ride Your Bicycle In Honor of Gail Ryba Day. The League of American Bicyclists named her their 2010 Phyllis Harmon Volunteer of the Year and planned on presenting her with the award at their national bike rally scheduled June 3-6 in Albuquerque.

Ryba is survived by a is survived by her husband, Thomas Robey; her daughter, Lynn; her mother, Frances (Joyce) Ryba; and siblings David, Eric and Diane.

A memorial service is planned for 5 p.m. May 15 at the United Church of Santa Fe, 1804 Arroyo Chamiso. Donations in memory can be made to Gerard's House, Presbyterian Medical Services Home Care and Hospice or the Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico.

Contact Staci Matlock at 986-3055 or smatlock@sfnewmexican.com.