City of Houston Bicycle Advisory Committee Education Subcommittee met March 27

City of Houston Bicycle Advisory Committee Education Subcommittee met March 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the subcommittee:

Call to Order. Chair Leah Chambers began the meeting at 2:32pm.

Roll Call: (bold indicates present)

Leah Chambers, Chair

Tom Compson, BAC Chair

Carl B. Salazar

Joe Cutrufo

Ben Drews

Robin Holzer

Additional BAC Members Present:

Trevor Reichman

Mike VanDusen

Ex-Officio Members:

Monique Johnson, Planning & Development

Ian Hlavacek, Houston Public Works

Patricc Fortiori, Parks & Recreation

Item 1: Director’s Report. Monique Johnson gave the Director’s Report.

The Administration is requiring all Boards, Commissions, and Committees to transition to in-person only meetings. All committee members, staff, and the public must attend in person to participate. Microsoft Teams will no longer be used as a virtual option.

Going forward, letters of support for projects will be streamlined through department staff and the Administration. The BAC is welcome to provide recommendations to the Mayor’s Office and contribute to letters that will ultimately be signed by the Mayor.

Item 2: Chair’s Report. Chair Leah Chambers gave the Chair’s Report.

Reminder of the three objectives of the subcommittee:

1. Increase bike-friendly trainings by 25%.

2. Update the website.

3. Increase participation in Bike Month activities.

Today’s agenda covers two of the objectives; in the discussion share your ideas for Bike Month.

Item 3: Public Comment.

No written comments were submitted.

Ed Pettitt spoke regarding increasing community engagement on bikeways projects.

Marcelo Escalera spoke regarding the importance of public participation and education on bikeway projects.

Item 4: Bikeways Website Updates.

Brian D. Smith II, Transportation Planner, Planning & Development, presented an update on changes to the Houston Bikeways website. Staff are actively updating the website; BAC members are encouraged to check the website for functionality and provide feedback on the changes.

Item 5: New 311 Category Outreach.

Brian D. Smith II, Transportation Planner, Planning & Development, presented on 311’s new changes. 311 launched a bikeway-specific maintenance category, and it is now active. Subcommittee members were asked to give recommendations on methods to spread the world to the community.

Item 6: Bike to Work Day Planning.

Brian D. Smith II, Transportation Planner, Planning & Development, presented the City’s plans for Bike to Work Day 2024. This year the City will not host a single ride downtown, but instead share resources to empower Houstonians to organize their own rides regardless of where they live or work. Subcommittee members were asked to provide ideas on resources and events to share.

Action: A BAC Work Group will be started to plan additional details on the event.

Item 7: Open Forum.

Tom Compson spoke on the BAC’s role in supporting staff.

Item 8: Announcements and Events.

BikeHouston was awarded Advocacy Organization of the Year at the 2024 National Bike Summit.

Vice Chair Alejandro Perez won best dressed at the East Texas Showdown, a 165-mile bikepacking course.

Item 10: Announcements.

Upcoming Events

- 3/30, Houston Dynamo Bike Night, 7:30pm, Shell Energy Stadium - 4/4-4/5, 3rd Annual Sugar Land Classic XC Mountain Bike Race - 4/7, Tour de Houston. [Website]

- 5/17, Bike to Work Day

Next Meetings

- Bicycle Advisory Committee: April 24, 2:30pm; Council Chambers - Infrastructure Subcommittee: May 22, 2:30pm; John B. Raia Conference Room - Education Subcommittee: June 26, 2:30pm; John B. Raia Conference Room Beginning in April the BAC is transitioning to in-person meetings ONLY.

Adjournment. Meeting Adjourned at 4:17pm.

https://houstonbikeplan.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BAC-Education-Meeting-Notes_Mar2024.pdf