Duties and Responsibilities
The City of Tacoma Bicycle Pedestrian Technical Advisory Group (BPTAG) advises the Transportation Commission on active transportation-related matters. BPTAG focuses on making it safer and easier to use active transportation in Tacoma, which includes walking, using an assistive mobility device, bicycling, skating, and riding a skateboard or scooter.
Members of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Technical Advisory Group play an essential role in:
- Prioritizing new bicycle and pedestrian projects throughout Tacoma.
- Providing feedback on the design of active transportation projects.
- Developing new policies to improve active transportation safety and access. Giving input on active transportation programs and events.
- Bringing community concerns to the attention of City staff and leaders.
Recent BPTAG accomplishments include helping:
- Provide feedback on the design of the City’s first cycle track/protected bike lanes on E 64th St from Pacific Avenue to E McKinley Avenue
- Develop new rules related to active transportation & micromobility (shared scooters) – including where electric scooters are allowed to ride and City’s helmet policy
- Select priority projects for grant opportunities – including the City’s recently awarded First Mile/Last Mile Connection to Transit grant which will stripe bike lanes on Mildred Street connecting the Tacoma Community College Transit Center to the Scott Pierson Trail
- Provide input on partner projects that relate to active transportation safety & access, including Sound Transit’s Tacoma Dome Link Extension Project
Membership
BPTAG consists of 11 voting members, plus one alternate. Members are City of Tacoma residents with knowledge or first-hand experience about pedestrian, bicycle, health, parks and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues.
| Dana Brownfield |
December 2023
|
| Alexandra Bush-Kaufmann |
November 2021 |
Cadell Chand
|
December 2023 |
| Michael Dehner |
March 2021 |
| Jennifer Halverson-Kuehn |
August 2022 |
| Kerri Hill |
December 2023 |
Max Lopez-Garibaldi
Youth Position (Age 16-18) |
December 2021 |
| Leon Nettels |
June 2022 |
| Matt Pavolka |
November 2021 |
| Kristi Picio |
November 2021 |
| Cindy Schaarschmidt |
April 2022 |
Kessa Claire-Woldt - Alternate
Youth Position (Age 16-18) |
December 2021
|
Meetings
Meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and are currently being held virtually. Please see the monthly meeting agenda for options to participate virtually. When in-person meetings are safe to resume, they will be held at the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St., Room 243).
Establishment
In 2013, the City Council adopted Resolution 38669 to establish a Transportation Commission. The Bicycle Pedestrian Technical Advisory Group (BPTAG), formerly the Bicycle Pedestrian Action Committee (BPAC) was formed to advise the Transportation Commission on active transportation issues.
Staff Support
Staffing support to BPTAG is provided by the Public Works Engineering Division. For more information about BPTAG or applying for membership, contact the City's Active Transportation Coordinator, Liz Kaster, at lkaster@cityoftacoma.org or 253-591-5380.