The Bicycle Advisory Committee Johann Weber – Chair, BIIC Georgia Institute of Technology

2 Bicycle Advisory Committees (BAC’s) Ongoing committee comprised of various stakeholder groups Can be tasked with dedicated projects, or more general advisory role Common in localities around country (ex: Tucson, Arlington, San Francisco) Especially common at universities (UC-Berkeley, CSU, OSU, Auburn, Utah, Cornell, etc). Why: Provide consistent opportunity to bring stakeholders together; encourage discourse and cooperation.

3 Strengths/Limitations of the BAC Strengths: Build social capital Opens lines of communication Recurring opportunity for discussion Facilitates other efforts Resource pooling Weaknesses: Limited actual power Reliant upon level of commitment of members Process is low- visibility In the end, it’s still a committee

4 The Bicycle Infrastructure Improvement Committee (BIIC) Official student government-sponsored Institute-Wide Committee created by students Brought together members of critical administrative departments, including: –Capital Planning and Space Management –Parking and Transportation –Facilities –Campus Police –Environmental Health and Safety

5 The Bicycle Infrastructure Improvement Committee (BIIC) In addition to staff, committee includes: –4 Undergraduate Students –3 Graduate Students –2 Faculty Committee tasked with improving the quality of bicycle infrastructure for the Georgia Tech community, as well as: –Recommending yearly project priorities –Identifying and pursuing diversity of funding sources –Education and outreach –Promoting interdepartmental coordination for improvements

6 Accomplishments of the BIIC Identified priority infrastructure needs on campus Awarded $26,146 by Student Government Association President’s office supplied additional $40,000 to complete bike network roadway improvements Received over $2,000 in startup grant funding and donations for education and encouragement programs

7 Accomplishments of the BIIC Awarded 2011 Georgia Tech Environmental Initiative Award Featured in AASHE Student Diary Series, AJC. Executed first Georgia Tech Bike Week (September 26-30, 2011) Created website (bike.gatech.edu), and social media accounts to spread information and involve students

8 What to Take Away The bicycle advisory committee is an excellent way to bring together important people and departments. Bridges gaps which are often the only thing stopping improvement from occurring. A BAC alone won’t make you bike-friendly, but it can facilitate major improvements.