Caltrain seeks volunteers for bicycle advisory committee

One of the best ways for cyclists to affect the state of cycling in their localities is by joining the bicycle/pedestrian advisory committee (B/PAC) in the town where they live or work. B/PACs are also utilized by transit authorities and other public agencies. Now Caltrain has announced that it will form its own bicycle advisory committee. This is a great opportunity for SVBC members in both Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties to work with Caltrain to make the system even more accommodating to cyclists.

From Caltrain's website:

Caltrain is forming a new Bicycle Advisory Committee. The committee will serve as the primary venue for the interests and perspectives of bicyclists to be integrated into the Caltrain planning process. The group will bring new ideas for discussion and help Caltrain guide its future investments. Caltrain’s progressive bike policy is a national model with eight percent of all riders biking to the station.

The committee will be a partnership composed of nine volunteer members who serve in an advisory capacity. There will be three representatives from each of the three counties served by Caltrain: San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara. One member from each county will be a public agency staff member responsible for bike planning and/or policy development; one will be a representative of the county’s bicycle coalition and one will be a Caltrain bike passenger from the general public.

Applications are due by 5 p.m., Monday, April 19. Members will be selected by the Staff Coordinating Council of the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board. The council is made up of representatives of the three partner agencies.

The announcement that Caltrain is launching this committee is great news for the cycling community. The opportunity to join the BAC is one that shouldn't be passed up.

Download the application at http://www.caltrain.com/info_bac.html, or call 650-508-6223 for more information.