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Joel Christiansen
5/2/2026 11:18 AM
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Hi all, I hope that many of you are out enjoying some beautiful spring riding! I'm sharing an email below with details on a couple of VBC advocacy-related items: - Advocacy Email List. We've started a new VBC cycling advocacy email list/forum. This list will function similarly to the buddies list but will focus on advocacy topics. This provides an easy way to collaborate on advocacy topics while avoiding overwhelming the buddies list with too many advocacy communications. If we've talked or corresponded previously, I've already added you (feel free to unsubscribe). If you'd like to be added, send an email to advocacy@vbc-usa.com and I'll add you. You can also sign up on the VBC website under the "Forums" tab when logged in.
- Weds May 6, 2026 BPAC Work Session. This session will be an important one for our advocacy efforts in Clark County. Full details are below, but it would be very helpful if you could attend on Tuesday at 9am.
Thanks and have a wonderful weekend!
Joel
VBC Advocacy Director / Board Member ==== Hi VBC Cycling Advocates!
If you're receiving this email, it's because you've been part of VBC's early advocacy efforts, either through a call/meeting with me (Joel, VBC Advocacy Director), by participating in our recent email campaign to Clark County about the construction closure on NE 50th/NE 29th, or by expressing interest in attending the Clark County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) presentation to the County Council next week, Wednesday May 6, 2026, for which I've included details below. First and foremost, thank you for your interest and dedication to making Vancouver a bicycle-friendly metro area!
I'm sending this to a new email list that includes everyone who has expressed interest in VBC advocacy issues since we formally started VBC advocacy this year. This list will work similarly to the VBC "Buddies" list -- e.g. replies will go to the entire list and you can send to the list separately by emailing cycling-advocacy@vbc-usa.com. I'd like us to think of this list as a place where we can collectively discuss advocacy topics without making too much noise on the large buddies list, recruit anyone interested in advocacy, and work together to apply some loving pressure on our civic leaders to improve the greater Vancouver area for cyclists. If this isn't for you, no worries, you can unsubscribe from the Club Express forum at any time using the links in the email footer.
About the Wednesday May 6, 2026 BPAC Work Session, and WHY OUR ATTENDANCE IS IMPORTANT!
Attending the BPAC Work Session is one of the most concrete ways VBC members can currently support cycling and pedestrian infrastructure in Clark County. It will also help frame and inform VBC's advocacy work as we continue bootstrapping our new advocacy efforts this year. BPAC is delivering its annual update to the Council during a Work Session, which means there is no public testimony component—BPAC is doing the talking. Here are the latest versions I have of (1) the work session slide deck, and (2) BPAC Chair Dave ZIlavy's draft presentation to the Council. What matters is that councilors look out into the room and see cyclists supporting the cause. The power of our showing up is evident in the audience reaction during the presentation and in the follow-up questions councilors ask afterward. No prep is needed; just being there in person makes a real difference, which is why BPAC asked us to turn out. - What: Clark Communities Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) presentation to the Clark County Council during a Council Work Session. BPAC Chair Dave Zilavy will present BPAC's annual update. This update will cover BPAC's purpose as an advisory body, define active transportation, review the past year's work, present the 2026 Work Plan, identify problems with the existing bicycle and pedestrian network, and discuss the advantages of funding active transportation infrastructure.
- When: Wednesday, May 6, 2026. The Work Session begins at 9:00 a.m. BPAC's slot is one of two presentations on the agenda, and last year it was delivered within the first hour — but the County hasn't given us a more specific time. Please plan to arrive at 8:45 a.m.
- Where: 6th floor of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98666. In-person attendance makes the biggest impression on councilors, so please come to the Public Service Center if you can.
And please feel free to pass this along to anyone else who might want to join us on May 6.
Thanks, and I hope to see you there, Joel
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