Vancouver City Hall’s Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) exists to advise the Mayor and Council on cycling-related issues, such as spending and facilities. Members are volunteers appointed by City Council (there are currently no vacancies), and the committee is disbanded and reconvened with each civic election.

The committee was first formed in July of 1985, stirred into life by nascent cycling advocates pressing for recognition and consideration in a city that had precious little of either.

Longtime advocate John Whistler was one of the founding members and chair from 1990 to 1996. In a phone conversation, he reminisced and offered what he considered to be the committee’s best achievements to date and mused on its future.

1987 saw the development of the city’s first Bicycle Plan, most of which was eventually implemented. The most successful initiative was 1992’s Bicycle Network Plan, which put designated bike routes on residential streets rather than trying to wedge cyclists onto busy arterials. Adanac Street was Vancouver’s first on street bikeway, inaugurated in 1993. And often overlooked, but just as important, was 1994’s Bicycle Parking Plan, which mandated that all new construction in the city must include bike parking.

Whistler recently rejoined the committee, inspired, he said, by the fact that cycling is now established in the civic culture, with political support very evident. He believes that the BAC is very effective and that it will continue to actively examine all new civic policies and activities that affect cycling in Vancouver.

Given the City’s recent announcement of $25 million to be spent on cycling infrastructure improvements over the next two years, the BAC is sure to be kept busy.