Members Sought for Cambridge Bicycle Committee. Application Deadline 10-30-23

Cambridge Bicycle Committee Application Deadline: October 30, 2023

Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking people interested in serving on the Cambridge Bicycle Committee.

What is the Cambridge Bicycle Committee?

The Cambridge Bicycle Committee works to:

• Improve conditions for people who bicycle and who are interested in bicycling; and
• Promote bicycling as a means of transportation for people of all ages and abilities.

What does the Cambridge Bicycle Committee do?

The Cambridge Bicycle Committee:

• Organizes and participates in community bike rides;
• Creates or reviews promotional materials to encourage bicycling in the city;
• Reviews City and State plans for street and path construction and improvements;
• Reviews Development Projects to make sure they are bike and pedestrian-friendly
• Forwards comments and recommendations to the Planning Board;
• Comments on pending bicycle-related ordinances;
• Collaborates with the Pedestrian Committee and the Transit Committee; and
• Other activities as necessary.

Who can serve on the Bicycle Committee?
People who live or work in the City of Cambridge are eligible to be on the committee. Applicants must be age 16 and or older and young people under 18 will need parent/guardian permission.

In addition to community members, City staff from relevant departments (Community Development; Department of Public Works; Traffic, Parking & Transportation and occasionally others) and representatives from Harvard University and MIT also participate.

What kind of skills and abilities do you need to effectively serve on the Bicycle Committee?

Members will have some experience bicycling in Cambridge, such as

• Bicycling on off-road paths;
• Bicycling with children;
• Using adaptive bicycles;
• Using Bluebikes,
• Commuting daily on their own bikes.

It is important to have an interest in learning about how roads and paths are designed and enthusiasm for helping to create community bike rides.

Successful members of the Committee should be able to:

• Consider how to enhance conditions for using a bicycle in the city. While new committee members do not need to have existing expertise, they should be willing to learn. This would include learning about and discussion urban design, new development, infrastructure design (streets and paths), and public and open space planning;
• Collaborate and build consensus with a group of people;
• Consider how projects might contribute to supporting people of all ages and abilities to bicycle in Cambridge;
• Understand, read, and communicate in English.

The committee benefits from a diverse range of experiences. The City of Cambridge is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Committee members must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, persons of color, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

What is the term of appointment for the Cambridge Bicycle Committee?

Members are appointed by the City Manager to 2-year terms and can reapply to remain on the committee for additional term(s) once they expire.

When does the Bicycle Committee meet and what is the time commitment for members?

This committee currently meets virtually on the second Wednesday of every month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Access to a computer with the ability to join meetings by Zoom (or similar) will be needed. In the future, there may be options for in-person or hybrid meetings. Additionally, the Committee occasionally meets for site walks or bike rides, at times to be determined jointly by the staff and the Committee.

The Committee also has subcommittees that meet occasionally to discuss specific projects. Committee members are expected to commit to occasional work outside of formal meetings; examples of what this might include are:

• Participating in community bike rides;
• Researching a particular topic of interest;
• Attending other community meetings on behalf of the committee;
• Writing comment letters on behalf of the committee;
• Engaging with the broader community in outreach activities.

How can I apply to serve on the committee? When is the application deadline?

Individuals interested in being considered should apply using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply and selecting “Cambridge Bicycle Committee” in the list of Current Vacancies. A resume and cover letter describing why you want to join the committee, or an overview of relevant experience, can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. If you have questions about the application process or need assistance, please contact the City Manager's Office at 617-349-4300 or boardsandcommissions@cambridgema.gov.

The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, October 30, 2023.

Learn more about the Bicycle Committee