The Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board is seeking three new members to start two-year terms in the fall. This term will cover some very important decisions for Seattle’s transportation future, including development of the next big Seattle transportation levy likely headed to the 2024 ballot. Apply online by August 27.

The volunteer board is purely advisory and does not have any direct authority, but their work does help the department of transportation craft planning documents and prioritize projects to some extent. This work is especially important in the run-up to a major levy because the department and city political leaders will be using these plans when setting the scope and funding priorities that will be sent to voters.

No professional expertise or transportation planning experience is required. In fact, the most effective board members tend to be people with a desire to learn and a willingness to ask down-to-earth questions that engineers may not have fully considered. You just need to be a Seattle resident who wants to help the city increase bicycling and bicycle safety.

The time commitment includes attending evening meetings the first Wednesday of every month as well as some time spent reading relevant documents or working with small task forces as needed. Meetings are currently held virtually online, but some day will go back to being in-person in Seattle City Hall or the Municipal Tower downtown. More details from SDOT:

Board members’ responsibilities include:

• Stewarding the Bicycle Master Plan
  • Monitoring implementation activities by City Departments and Divisions
  • Serving as a resource for the City Council on Bicycle Master Plan activities
  • Serving on transportation-related committees and planning groups
• Making recommendations on City projects related to mobility, specifically bicycling
  • Conducting annual reviews of SDOT on-street bicycle facility plans
  • Ad hoc reviews of bicycle projects, trail construction, and capital improvement projects
• Sending letters to the Mayor, Seattle City County, and/or SDOT project teams on bicycling-related projects and topics
• Conducting site tours
  • Bikeablility Tours – Periodically, SBAB members may conduct tours of new bikeways, inspect cycling conditions across critical corridors, and evaluate City of Seattle implementation activities.
  • Facility Tours – SBAB members organize tours of facilities to examine best practices for bicycle commuting and parking in new and existing buildings.

What is the time commitment? 

Advisory board members can expect to spend between 8-10 hours each month for some of the following activities:

• Board meetings, currently held the first Wednesday of each month from 6 to 8 PM (Currently, meetings are virtual with online and call-in options. If meeting return to in-person, they are held at Seattle City Hall 600 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104)
• Work with communities to understand their bike and transportation priorities
• Advise the Mayor and City Council on policies
• Drafting letters to provide input, suggestions, and feedback on projects
• Occasional additional meetings on special topics

Who should apply?  

SBAB members may be representatives of any of the following:

• Different user groups including, but not limited to, persons with disabilities, senior and school-age citizens, and recreational and commuter bicyclists
• Different geographical locations throughout the city
• Interested community members concerned with urban bicycling issues
• Bicycling organizations or clubs
• Schools, businesses, and neighborhood organizations
• Organizations concerned with bicycling safety

The City of Seattle is committed to promoting diversity within the City’s various boards and commissions. The Bicycle Advisory Board strongly encourages Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, people with disabilities, bi-cultural or bilingual residents, seniors (over 65), and/or LGBTQ candidates to apply.

Apply now!  

Apply online. Be sure to select “Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board” when you’re asked which board you would like to apply to. You may apply to multiple boards with the same application. Applications are due by Friday, August 27.

Questions?  

If you would like to learn more about the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board, feel free to drop in at one of our virtual Q&A sessions to hear from board staff and current board members:

Monday, August 16 from 12-1 PM OR 5-6 PM. Join via Microsoft Teams using this link. 

If you are unable to attend one of the Q&A sessions or have any other questions, Contact Simon Blenski at [email protected].