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Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) -Transportation Agency for Monterey County

Habla español:  Maria Montiel
https://www.tamcmonterey.org/maria-montiel-administrative-assistant

Mark your calendar for 2025 meeting dates—listed below—for the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). The BPAC meetings are normally the first Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m., with the exceptions of no meetings in July and December. All meeting dates and times are subject to change (e.g., occasionally a meeting is cancelled). The meeting agenda and packet are normally posted on TAMC’s website about a week prior to the meeting https://www.tamcmonterey.org/bike-and-pedestrian-facilities-advisory-committee.

2025 meetings

Below were the dates scheduled for the 2025 meetings as of 11/6/24. For any changes to meeting dates, and for meeting agendas and packets (typically available about a week before the meeting), refer to TAMC’s website: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/bike-and-pedestrian-facilities-advisory-committee.

This 2025 tentative calendar (subject to change) is excerpted from https://www.tamcmonterey.org/files/fdcdc93da/BPC+Agenda+Packet+November+2024.pdf

TAMC’s BPAC meetings are open to the public. Remote participation (joining in via Zoom, or via telephone) remains an option for members of the public and non-voting committee members.

History: Meetings were held via remote conferencing only from May 2020 through February 2023, due to the COVID-19 pandemic; since the March 1, 2023 meeting, there is a physical meeting location too.

Feel like a fish out of water at such meetings—because the vocabulary and acronyms used are unfamiliar to you? You’re not alone. That’s why a Bilingual Glossary of Transportation Terms was created in 2023; see https://bikemonterey.org/glosario-bilingue-de-terminos-de-transporte.html.

If you have questions or want help regarding how to participate in BPAC meetings (e.g., how to make a public comment about an item on or not on the agenda, or how to make a public announcement), phone or email either of the following: TAMC’s BPAC support staff person Maria Montiel https://www.tamcmonterey.org/maria-montiel-administrative-assistant; or TAMC’s BPAC coordinator, who is normally listed on the following page: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/bicycle-pedestrian-committee.

Regarding TAMC’s BPAC coordinator the TAMC staff member in that position often changes—i.e., there were nine different BPAC coordinators between 2009 and 2024. In 2024 three TAMC staff have shared the duties of the coordinator role, as of August 30. For the name of the current coordinator, check TAMC’s site: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/bicycle-pedestrian-committee

Remote participation allows more people from throughout Monterey County to attend a BPAC meeting, since it does not require traveling from anywhere in our large county (3,771 square miles).

Related post: Speak up for bicycling and other active transportation in Monterey County

According to the TAMC website on January 6, 2024, there are four women and sixteen men serving on the committee, and thirty-four vacant seats. What’s the impact of that? The interests of people who bike, walk, skate, and scoot in many areas of Monterey County are not being optimally represented at the meetings.

2024 meetings

The 2021-2023 meeting agendas and packets are archived below for ease of referral. For other years, refer to TAMC’s website.

Note that draft minutes often have errors. If confused or surprised by something in the draft minutes, e.g., something supposedly stated by anyone, contact that person, who may have been misquoted in the draft minutes. (If the person quoted was Bicycling Monterey’s founder, Mari Lynch, please contact us for clarification.)

2023 meetings

https://www.tamcmonterey.org/bike-and-pedestrian-facilities-advisory-committee

2022 meetings

January 5, 2022 – Agenda and packet: BPC_Agenda_Packet_January_2022_Meeting

February 2, 2022 – Agenda and packet: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/files/cc3238a0d/BPC_Agenda_PACKET_February_2022_Meeting.pdf

March 2, 2022 – Agenda and packet: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/files/c16e67bd4/BPC_Agenda_PACKET_March_2022_Meeting.pdf

April 6, 2022 – Agenda and packet: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/files/7bea7d85a/BPC_Agenda_PACKET_2022_April_Meeting.pdf

May 4, 2022 – Agenda and packet: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/files/195d29b2e/BPC_Agenda_PACKET_May_2022_Meeting_.pdf

June 1, 2022 – Agenda and packet: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/files/ebf95dea7/BPC_Agenda_PACKET_June_2022_Meeting.pdf

July – NO MEETING

August 3, 2022 – Agenda and packet: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/files/8b54101d3/BPC_Agenda_PACKET_August_2022_Meeting.pdf

September 7, 2022 – Agenda and packet: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/files/ef0691e09/BPC_Agenda_PACKET_September_2022_Meeting.pdf

October 5, 2022 – Agenda and packet: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/files/840aa73e1/BPC_Agenda_PACKET_October_2022_Meeting.pdf

November 2, 2022 – Agenda and packet:
https://www.tamcmonterey.org/files/305c97ed8/BPC_Agenda_PACKET_November_2022_Meeting.pdf

December – NO MEETING

2021 meetings

https://twitter.com/KeraCA/status/1269478254064238592?s=20

Although most of the information below remains relevant, with regard to the links, kindly note:

TAMC redesigned their website in fall 2020 with the unfortunate result that virtually all our links to TAMC’s site now lead to an error message. We wish that our available volunteer hours allowed us to change Bicycling Monterey’s hundreds of outbound links to TAMC’s website. You may find that using TAMC’s search window turns up the info you’re seeking—or not. Another option is to do an advanced web search (i.e., typing in your browser’s search window “site:tamcmonterey.org” along with keywords regarding the info you’re seeking). Or contact TAMC for help: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/contact-us. Good places to start on TAMC’s site: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/bicycle-pedestrian-committee and https://www.tamcmonterey.org/bike-pedestrian.

¿Necesita un intérprete de español para participar en las reuniones de TAMC? Póngase en contacto con TAMC al menos 72 horas antes de la reunión. Se harán todos los esfuerzos razonables para satisfacer la solicitud. Para bicicletas y peatones TAMC información en español: Stefania Castillo o Maria Montiel: http://www.tamcmonterey.org/contact/staff/

 

Want a more bike-friendly Monterey County?

As we refer to in January 2020 Bike Buzz, there are good reasons to get involved in infrastructure planning. It’s quick and easy to rant online; it takes more effort to effectively advocate for the changes you’d like to see in your community and beyond.
One way to help improve infrastructure and more is to stay informed and give input about the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) bike-ped activities and projects.
Monterey County residents are encouraged to advocate for bicycling and other active transportation (walking, skating, scooting), by applying to serve as a committee member on TAMC’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Advisory Committee. In addition to  committee members, guests are welcome at these meetings, which are open to  the public.
Meetings are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month, except no meetings in July or December—and be aware TAMC occasionally cancels a regularly scheduled meeting. (Get on TAMC’s email list for notifications.) Your participation at the meetings—whether as a guest or as a committee member—is needed and appreciated. Meetings normally begin at 6 p.m., with a light supper provided (i.e., sandwiches, etc.). Although meetings are scheduled to end at 8 p.m., they often end earlier—sometimes as early as 7 p.m.

Photo below: This entrepreneurial youth in Castroville is one of the many Monterey County paleteros, bicycle couriers, and others—even an automotive shop—using cargo bikes or trailers. People bicycling Castroville will be glad to hear that in 2020, a TAMC bike-ped meeting will be held in Castroville for the first time.

Read on to learn more—including about meeting locations, lack of representation for various communities, and other details about TAMC meetings.

As of January 3, 2020, the 2020 meetings have tentatively been scheduled for some new locations. Most months they are still planned for Salinas; and one month each, they are planned for Gonzales or Sand City. But for the first time, they are also scheduled, one month each, for Castroville and Marina. For all meeting dates, locations, agendas, and packets, refer to http://www.tamcmonterey.org/board-committees/bicycle-pedestrian-committee/meetings-agendas/. [UPDATE: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings were held remotely only May 6, 2020 – February 1, 2023. Check with TAMC for any changes and for future meeting locations.]

(History: Prior to 2020, most meetings had been held in Salinas or Sand City, except that the May 2018 meeting was in Gonzales. Some people had expressed interest in participating via conference call; note the Brown Act requirement here.)

Lack of representation

According to the TAMC website on January 6, 2024, there are four women and sixteen men serving on the committee, and 34 vacant seats. What’s the impact of that? The interests of people who bike, walk, skate, and scoot in many areas of Monterey County are not being optimally represented at the meetings.
Visit a meeting to check out what the committee does. Maybe you’ll end up deciding to volunteer to serve on the committee (and in some cases, your employer may pay you to attend). Even if you don’t become a committee member, you’re welcome to attend the meetings anytime.

Maybe your schedule is already packed with bicycling advocacy tasks (we can relate—see our numerous projects), and you simply can’t add in serving on TAMC’s bike-ped committee. Or maybe you are eager to give input to TAMC but just can’t make it to any Wednesday eve meetings. You’re still encouraged to contact TAMC about other ways to stay in touch with the committee’s work (e.g., getting on their email lists), and to provide your input.

For example, Bicycling Monterey’s founder regularly reviews the packets issued before each meeting. And we occasionally provide written input for the committee’s consideration, such as for the April 3, 2019 meeting—April 3 Bike-Ped public comments; for the January 9, 2019 meeting, https://bikemonterey.org/casa-verde-near-fremont-in-monterey-and-other-developments-also-monterey-county-fair-event-center-bicycle-parking.html; and for the November 7, 2018 meeting, https://bikemonterey.org/nov-7-tamc-bicycle-and-pedestrian-advisory-committee.html.

Questions?

Contact TAMC’s bicycle and pedestrian coordinator, whose name is usually found at https://www.tamcmonterey.org/bicycle-pedestrian-committee; contact info for all TAMC staff are found at https://www.tamcmonterey.org/staff. Refer to TAMC’s staff page to learn which TAMC staff are assigned to other bike-related projects such as the wayfinding plan, bike map, and more. 

Note: In some counties, such meetings are commonly referred to as “BPAC” meetings rather than “Bike-Ped” or “BPC” meetings, as they’re most often referred to in Monterey County.

Below, learn how to report a bikeway maintenance need, and learn about TAMC’s “Bike Secure Program.”

Photo below: Kaki Cheung, a former bike-ped coordinator for TAMC.

“Bike Secure Program”

Bike Secure Program is a bit of a misnomer, since it includes bicycle repair stations and skateboard racks too. Check it out, and encourage property owners to apply for free bike racks, lockers, repair stations whenever funds are available. See https://www.tamcmonterey.org/programs/bike-pedestrian/bicycle-secure-program/.  For some history of this TAMC program, and for related advocacy tips, see https://bikemonterey.org/free-bike-racks-lockers-repair-stations-or-skateboardscooter-racks.html.

To report a bikeway maintenance need

For Monterey County, you may report to TAMC: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/contact/bike-service-request-form/

For Monterey County, and for all California highways, refer also to Bicycling Monterey’s tips: https://bikemonterey.org/where-to-report-a-bikeway-maintenance-need-in-monterey-county-plus-maintenance-needs-for-california-state-highways.html

Tell others too, e.g., by posting links on social media.

Below: Ariana Green, who has also served as TAMC bike-ped coordinator. When that photo was taken (2012), Ariana was a traffic planner with the City of Monterey, and she was beaming about new bike racks in downtown Monterey. Photo provided by Ariana Green.

 
 
 

This post was previously published on July 31, 2017. It was partially updated January 2, 2019 and was republished April 1, 2019, with a link added to public comments for the April 3 meeting. It was updated —including regarding current committee vacancies, and the tentatively scheduled new 2020 meeting locations—and republished on January 3, 2020. 

This post was published on 3 January 2020. One or more changes last made to this post on 11 November 2024.

4 Comments

  1. marilynch says:
    9 August 2017 at 08:47

    Thank you for your interest, MacGregor, and for promoting bicycling, walking, skating, and public transit use in your column “We Could Car Less.” I hope Angie will see your comment and email you. (Due to Bicycling Monterey’s privacy policy, it’s not possible to give out her contact information.)

  2. MacGregor Eddy says:
    9 August 2017 at 06:08

    I would like to speak to Angie for my column, We Could Car Less, which runs on Fridays in the Salinas Californian. My email is wecouldcarless@gmail.com.

  3. marilynch says:
    3 August 2017 at 19:58

    Hi, Angie. For updates about TAMC bike-ped meetings, and other bike-ped news from TAMC, click on “Sign up for Committee updates” on the following page of TAMC’s website: http://www.tamcmonterey.org/board-committees/bicycle-pedestrian-committee/

  4. Angie says:
    3 August 2017 at 14:59

    I am from the Gonzales area. Please send an email for next meeting.

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