(Photo © J. Maus)
The City of Portland has announced a call for new members of the Bicycle Advisory Committee. The committee, which dates back to the early 1970s, is currently staffed by PBOT Bike Coordinator Roger Geller and its role is to advise the Mayor, PBOT, and all other city bureaus on anything and everything related to bicycling.
A typical BAC meeting might consist of getting the lowdown on an upcoming project that impacts our bikeway system (like a new light rail line or a large development), hearing an update on current and/or future bike projects, and discussing a big picture issue like how to manage traffic concerns on multi-use paths. I’ve attended countless BAC meetings over the last five years and I have the utmost respect for its work and its members. And, as far as meetings go, many of them are far from boring. In fact, BAC meetings are often held with overflow crowds of interested citizens and other bike-interested folks.
From identifying projects and setting funding priorities, to weighing in on important policy issues, the BAC is where much of the action around bicycling happens in this town. If you’re interested in becoming one of its voting members, and helping to make decisions that directly impact bicycling in Portland, you should consider applying for one of the open spots. There are up to 13 members of the committee as well as seven alternatives. Members serve a three-year term and the committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month. (Note: Membership is only necessary for votes (which don’t happen very often). This is committee is very inclusive and everyone in attendance is given a chance to speak and join the discussion.)
Applications are due by September 30. Learn more on the BAC website or by contacting Roger Geller at (503) 823-7671 or roger(dot)geller@portlandoregon(dot)gov. Browse past articles about the BAC via our Portland Bicycle Advisory Committee tag.
UPDATE, 3:19 pm: In response to a comment below (and my own curiousity), here is more information about the selection process from PBOT bike planner Denver Igarta:
“Due to attrition over the last few years, the BAC is currently made up of 13 full members and no alternates. The term of all (13) current BAC members is expiring, so 13 full members will be appointed as part of this recruitment as well as at least 7 alternates.
The only functional distinction between full members and alternates is the ability to place a vote. Any current member interested in continuing work on the BAC must reapply. It is unclear how many current members will reapply or be selected, so the total number of slots to be filled by new members this recruitment is unknown at this point.”