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Are you passionate about making Seattle a place that’s safe and easy for people who bike? The Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board is seeking new members!

Central District Stay Healthy Street. Photo by Jeanne Clark.

Apply to join the Seattle Bike Advisory Board! 

The Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board is recruiting three new members to serve two-year terms starting in Fall 2021 through August 2023. If you’re interested in making Seattle an amazing bike-friendly city, consider applying!  

By representing the needs of our diverse population of bicyclists in the city and encouraging active participation in policy and planning efforts through all levels of government, the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board works to build a more inclusive bicycling community and make bicycling a viable transportation choice. 

What’s the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board?  

The Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board (SBAB) is a public volunteer board that advises the Mayor, City Council, and City Departments and Divisions on projects, policies, and programs that improve and/or affect bicycling conditions in Seattle. Created in 1977 to advise the City on the concerns and needs of the growing bicycling community, the Board is made of 12 members of the public, including 1 Get Engaged member.  

A family biking
Building family friendly bike facilities is one of the many ways we’re making our streets safer for all people, no matter their age or ability. Photo: SDOT  

What Does the Advisory Board Do? 

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. 
Person riding a bike in a protected bike lane
In full, Seattle has about 200 miles total of bike lanes, trails, and neighborhood greenways! Photo: SDOT 

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. 

A family riding together on a Stay Healthy Street
Stay Healthy Streets provide space for people to bike safely. Photo: SDOT 

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 bikeboard@seattle.gov

Interested in participating in a SDOT advisory board, but biking isn’t really your thing? Learn about our other advisory boards and committees:  

Board and committee recruitment happen at different times throughout the year. Learn more about each of these boards and committees on their webpages.