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

Cambridge Pedestrian Committee Application Deadline: October 30, 2023

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

What is the Cambridge Pedestrian Committee?

The Cambridge Pedestrian Committee works to:

• Create a more comfortable, safe, and pleasant environment for walking in Cambridge, and
• Promotes walking as a means of transportation, for health, and for enjoyment.

What does the Cambridge Pedestrian Committee do?

The Cambridge Pedestrian Committee:

• Organizes and participates in community walks;
• Creates or reviews promotional materials to encourage walking 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 and forwards comments and recommendations about Development Projects to the Planning Board;
• Identifies intersections and other locations where improvements might be needed to make it easier to walk;
• Collaborates with the Bicycle Committee and the Transit Committee;
• Other activities as necessary

Learn more about the Pedestrian Committee

Who can serve on the Pedestrian 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 Pedestrian Committee?

Members will have some experience walking in Cambridge. It is important to have an interest in learning about how roads and paths are designed, and enthusiasm for helping to create community walks.

Successful members of the Committee should be able to:

• Consider how to enhance conditions for using walking 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 walk 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 Pedestrian Committee members?

Members of the Committee are appointed to two-year terms by the City Manager, but may apply to renew their membership when term expires.

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

This committee currently meets virtually on the fourth Thursday of every month from 6-8 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, 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 walks;
• 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? What 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 Pedestrian 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. 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 Cambridge Pedestrian Committee