(Feb. 11, 2022) Help shape the future of biking in Portland! The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is currently recruiting applications for 13 new Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) members to serve a two-year term. The Bicycle Advisory Committee is a city advisory body that advises City Council and all departments of the city (though primarily PBOT) on all matters that encourage and enhance bicycling as a means of transportation, recreation, wellness, and environmental enhancement.
The Bicycle Advisory Committee is a 20-member committee that meets once a month (currently virtually) to review and comment on city projects and other transportation-related initiatives, as well as projects lead by partner agencies. This is a great opportunity to gain experience in working with the city, learn more about city planning, connect with other Portlanders who are interested in biking, and give back to your community in the process. Committee activities typically include reviewing and making recommendations on bike-related planning, projects, programs and funding priorities. Committee members guide the conversation around these topics, provide feedback, and ask questions.
“As Portland seeks to build a bicycle network that provides racial and climate justice while also being accessible for people ages 8 to 80, we hope that Portlanders of all backgrounds, and in all neighborhoods, around the city will consider joining the BAC. It is important for us to have members of varying race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, housing situation, age, education, and so much more that impact how you are able to interact with our city,” said David Stein, the Bicycle Advisory Committee Chairperson. “Having a wide range of lived experience on the Bicycle Advisory Committee helps provide valuable feedback to PBOT, other city bureaus, and City Council on all matters related to bicycling. It also enriches the discussions we have as a committee where difficult decisions are presented. People with any level of experience with bicycles are invited to apply. This is a great opportunity to build relationships with city staff and other advocates, while providing meaningful input on policies and projects that will impact people for years to come.”
To be eligible for the advisory committee, members must live, play, worship, go to school, work and/or do business in the City of Portland. Additionally, applicants for membership should:
- Have an interest in promoting bicycling for transportation, recreation, and environmental enhancement
- Have good communication skills for working on a committee
- Commit to attending one 2-3 hour meeting evening per month (currently scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month) and participating in the work of the committee. Future meetings may be virtual, in-person, or hybrid depending on future City of Portland Covid-19 guidelines.
We want people from every part of Portland to share their voice on this committee! If you want to serve your community and help shape the future of biking in Portland, we strongly encourage you to apply. Learn more and apply today at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/portlandor/jobs/3405619/volunteer-non-paid-position-portland-bicycle-advisory-committee
Applications are due on or before February 28, 2022. Selected members will be notified of their appointment in mid- to late March 2022, and the first meeting with new BAC members will be April 12, 2022.
Please direct any questions you may have about this volunteer opportunity to roger.geller@portlandoregon.gov, or sarah.pullman@portlandoregon.gov.