MetroBike has the following job opportunity:

Bikeshare Planner

MetroBike, LLC is an internationally known bikeshare consultancy and the first of its kind in North America. Established in 2004, MetroBike has a client list which includes local and federal governments, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and universities.

MetroBike is hiring a full-time Bikeshare Planner in the Washington, D.C. region to assist with planning for the Capital Bikeshare system.

Responsibilities of the job include:

• analysis of potential bikeshare station sites;
• work with local government bureaus, federal agencies, private property owners, and civic associations to obtain input on proposed station sites;
• develop a concept drawing for each station site;
• coordinate construction of pads and bulb-outs on top of which stations will be installed;
• direct station installations, relocations, expansions, and contractions with the operator;
• coordinate signage, markings, and delineator placement; and
• analyze data and write reports.

 Qualifications:

• college degree in planning, transport, engineering, or related field, advanced degree a plus;
• bicycle facility design experience;
• 3 – 5 years of related experience;
• excellent communication and organizational skills;
• strong analytical and problem solving skills;
• basic graphic design skills; and
• passion for bikesharing and urban cycling.
• GIS skills are a plus.

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $60,000 – $65,000. The benefits package includes paid time off, health, and a retirement plan that is matched by the company.

To be considered for this role, send your cover letter and resume to hello @ metrobike.net. This position is open until filled.

This chart, via Jennifer Keesmaat, shows the important nexus between the infrastructure design and public health.. As evident from the chart, when it comes to building healthy communities the United States has a long way to go in catching up with their counterparts and the huge (no pun intended) disparity in % of obese people shows how unhealthy we are as a nation.

Health implications of city design: more walking, cycling and transit means less obesity + chronic disease (via @jen_keesmaat on Twitter)

Spurred by this tweet, I went looking for data on healthcare spending in the US vs. other OECD countries. Sigh! The chart below shows how much we spend on health compared to other countries (slightly older data).  If we spent a few billion dollars on building more walking/biking/transit infrastructure instead of building more highways and encouraged more people to walk/bike/ride transit, may be we don’t have to incur such an expensive medical bills after all.  Despite all the evidence, our lawmakers seems to be favoring the highway lobbies (and the optics of ribbon cutting for new highways) but talk endlessly about healthcare spending every election cycle!

U.S health spending vs. other countries

Here is a snapshot of the US health spending, according to the OECD:

• Health expenditure per capita: $8,713
• Expenditure as a pct. of GDP: 16.4%
•  Obesity rate: 35.3%
• Life expectancy: 78.8 yrs

“Health spending in the United States (excluding investment expenditure in the health sector) was 16.4% of GDP in 2013, well above the OECD average of 8.9% and the next highest spenders – the Netherlands (11.1%), Switzerland (11.1%) and Sweden (11.0%). The share of GDP spent on healthcare has remained unchanged since 2009 and health spending growth has matched economic growth. The share of government spending in the United States as a share of total spending on health has increased from around 44% in 2000 to above 48% by 2013. Over this period there has been an increase in health coverage for the population – in 2006, Medicare Part D, a voluntary drug benefit programme for seniors and certain disabled persons was introduced.

Do you love transportation? Do you love New York City? TransportationCamp New York City 2015 will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at City College of New York. Following on the success of TransportationCamp East in 2011, Planning Camp NYC in 2013 and TransportationCamps across the country, we’re bringing it back to New York City. TransportationCamp NYC 2015 will continue to foster open conversation and collaboration between all Celexa pills radical changes the near-future promises in transportation.

Venue

TransportationCamp NYC will be held at City College of New York in Shepard Hall (160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, at the intersection of Convent Avenue and W 140th St., close to the 1, A, C, and D trains).

Schedule

• 8:00 AM – Doors open
• 9:00 AM – Welcome and Kick-off in the Great Hall
• 9:45 AM – Keynote addresses in the Great Hall
• 11:15 AM – First Breakout Session (in classrooms)
• 12:15 PM – Lunch in the Great Hall
• 1:15 PM – Second Breakout Session (in classrooms)
• 2:30 PM – Third Breakout Session (in classrooms)
• 3:45 PM – Fourth Breakout Session (in classrooms)
• 5:00 PM – Adjourn to happy hour at The Grange Bar & Eatery, sponsored byYoung Professionals in Transportation

Registration

Registration for TransportationCamp NYC 2015 is now open. Tickets are limited, so get yours now! If you have any questions, reach out at nyc@transportationcamp.org or at@transpocamp. See you November 14, 2015!

Click here to learn more.

As the saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words .. This one is worth a few thousand stories on transport policy, included as part of a message promoting the ITF report titled “Cycling, Health and Safety”  In a nutshell, as summarized by ITF, the more people cycle, the fewer fatal accidents. Every kilometer cycled benefits society.

Image Courtesy: International Transport Forum . Click image to read the report “Cycling, Health and Safety”

While we are at it, I recommend you to check out the video series on cycling, safety & health on ITF’s YouTube channel:

Position Summary: The Bicycle Program & Transportation Communications Coordinator will coordinate the bicycle management program on campus, and identify opportunities to enhance bicycle safety initiatives. Based on benchmarking from other universities, recommend new and innovative bicycle programs for the campus community. Engage students and employees in bicycle planning. Serve as alternative transportation representative on university and/or locality committees reviewing bicycle programming and/or safety. Provide GIS data collection and mapping for alternative transportation and other Parking and Transportation units. Coordinate campus notices, news stories and special features for the Alternative Transportation program as well as other Parking and Transportation units for review by the division communication manager.

Photo by cbowns

Required Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or public administration or equivalent training and experience. Demonstrated experience with alternative transportation modes (with an emphasis on bicycling). Working knowledge at the proficient level of GIS software, including ArcGIS, to record and analyze data, and make useful maps. Demonstrated experience analyzing and summarizing data in a variety of formats. Excellent customer service skills. Extensive computer experience and proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience using illustration and desktop publishing software such as Adobe CS/5. Ability to complete numerous projects and details simultaneously and accurately. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience working in university setting. Experience preparing press releases. Experience developing bicycle programs. Experience working with advocacy constituents.

For a complete listing of position qualifications, and to apply, please visit www.jobs.vt.edu, and search for posting SW0150063. Review of applications will begin 2/09/2015.

Click here to learn more and to apply

via The Bike-sharing Blog

Image Courtesy: Russell Meddin bikesharephiladelphia.org via The Bike-sharing Blog

First, here is the video of “The Ridge”, featuring the dare devil Danny Macaskill on his mountain bike. It was the first time in one of his films Danny climbs aboard a mountain bike and returns to his native home of the Isle of Skye in Scotland to take on a death-defying ride along the notorious Cuillin Ridgeline. Danny’s ridiculous riding skills and the stunning scenery blend beautifully with the sound track, making it a great viewing experience :

And here is an interview with the film-maker where he shares how we used low-tech everyday technology to capture this breathtaking video

Related articles

• What This Guy Can Do With A Mountain Bike Is Simply Mindblowing
• This video of someone mountain biking has amassed 24 million views in one month and it’s not hard to see why
• What This Guy Can Do With A Mountain Bike Is Simply Mindblowing

Image Courtesy: Bikewalkalliance.org

The Alliance for Biking & Walking seeks a talented Communications Manager responsible for raising the profile of the grassroots state and local biking and walking advocacy movement.

• Location: Preferably Washington D.C., but can be remote with periodic travel to D.C.
• Deadline: Open until filled – candidates are strongly recommended to apply before Jan. 16, 2015
• Compensation: Commensurate with experience and includes generous vacation time, health and retirement benefits.

About the Alliance for Biking & Walking
The mission of the Alliance for Biking & Walking is to create, strengthen and unite state/province and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations. The Alliance is the only national organization that trains, assists, empowers and strengthens community leaders and their organizations to transform communities through better bicycling and walking. With more than 200 state and local bicycle and pedestrian organizations employing hundreds of professionals in nearly every city and state, our people powered movement is transforming communities and the country.

Position Description
The Alliance for Biking & Walking seeks a talented Communications Manager responsible for raising the profile of the grassroots state and local biking and walking advocacy movement. The Communications Manager will help to meet the organization’s overall mission-driven direction with regards to messaging and communications strategy. The selected candidate will manage and implement the Alliance’s organizational communications, including website, email, print, social media, and press relations work. This person will be a storyteller for the active transportation movement, for our member organizations, and for people who walk and bike in North America. The Communications Manager will also oversee the Benchmarking Project, a biennial data collection project and report that the Alliance undertakes in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Duties and Responsibilities
Communications and Design:

• Set and manage the organization’s overall media, digital, press, and branding approaches.
• Write, edit, design, and manage print materials, including an annual report, brochures, sponsorship guides, and other materials.
• Direct and implement email communications, including a monthly newsletter and non-newsletter mass emails.
• Oversee the organization’s website, blog, and digital presence.
• Promote the Alliance’s work and the work of our member organizations through traditional media, social media, mass email, and organizational partnerships.
• Serve as the organization’s representative in the media; shape the organization’s media strategy and conduct proactive press outreach when appropriate.
• Help write and edit fundraising materials, including grant proposals and appeal letters.
• Oversee and add to the Alliance for Biking & Walking photo library; organize occasional photo contests to make more photos of walking and bicycling available for advocates.
• Conduct trainings, facilitate group calls, share resources, and give advice for state and local biking and walking advocacy organizations members on media relations, communications strategy, and digital strategy.
• Supervise interns and independent contractors as needed.

Benchmarking Project:

• Supervise the Benchmarking Project Manager, who oversees project planning, vision, research, writing, and data collection for the Benchmarking Report, the Alliance’s biennial report on biking and walking data in the United States.
• Design and implement release strategy, marketing, distribution, and presentations.
• Assist with fundraising for an online version of the 2016 Benchmarking Report. If funding is secured, select vendors and manage process for building digital components of the Benchmarking Report.

Qualifications
Essential:

• A strong commitment to the mission of the Alliance for Biking & Walking.
• Two or more years’ experience in communications, digital strategy, or a related field.
• One or more years’ experience in project and staff management.
• Experience managing an organization’s brand and social media for a brand.
• Experience with media relations; comfortable speaking on the record.
• Strong editorial, oral, and written communication skills.
• Proven success with managing and operating CMS and CRM software.
• Working knowledge of HTML; some knowledge of CSS preferred.
• Familiarity with InDesign and the Adobe Suite.
• Familiarity with Salesforce.
• Ability to work on self-directed projects in a flexible work environment with limited supervision, as well as a track record of working well on team projects.
• Comfort working in a learning organization that values meaningful contribution, collective feedback, and process evaluation.
• Cheerful, friendly and upbeat outlook; strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

Helpful:

• Specific experience working with national non-profit organizations.
• Familiarity with the state and local walking and biking advocacy movement.
• Experience producing newsletter content and curating stories representing a diversity of perspectives and lived experiences.
• Experience writing grants and fundraising letters.
• Experience with marketing, publications, and copyediting.
• Experience with Joomla and/or Nonprofit Soapbox.
• Experience working on advocacy campaigns and an understanding of basics of the political process.

How to Apply

Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Applications@BikeWalkAlliance.org. In addition, please submit a design sample (e.g. an annual report, poster, report, pamphlet, or website), as well as a 500-1000-word writing sample written for a general audience that conveys your writing skills and communication style. No academic papers please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis – candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by January 16, 2015. Finalists will be contacted for interviews.

The Alliance for Biking & Walking is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or gender identity, disability, sex or age.

Photo by torbakhopper HE DEAD

Alta Bicycle Share designs, deploys, and manages bicycle share programs and systems worldwide.  Public bike sharing systems combine the convenience and flexibility of a private vehicle with the accessibility and reliability of mass transit.

Overview of Position:

We at Alta Bicycle Share located in NYC are looking for a Technical Project Manager who thinks relentlessly about who does what by when, everything that can go wrong, and how to make it all come together in the end.  Someone who knows enough about technology to identify risks and evaluate plans, but doesn’t need to be the one actually writing the code or designing the system.  Someone who always has a plan B and a Plan C, and can stay cool when everything else seems to be going wrong.  This is an exciting opportunity for a high performing individual to be part of the Technology Team in a growth environment.

The Technical Project Manager will report to/support the Vice President of Technology to help deliver the desired products and projects on time, on target and on budget. This position includes project management responsibilities for one or more complex projects.  These projects typically utilize vendor participation and require complex schedules and integration with other systems and multiple contractors.

Key Aspects of Position:

• Manage scope, schedule, budget, and risks for critical aspects of aggressive and complex bikeshare systems rollouts and upgrades.
• Hold relevant contracted and in-house resources accountable for timeliness and quality of all deliverables
• Work with contractors to understand production and supply chain, and mitigate risks and issues.
• Identify and manage project risks through deep communication and collaboration with contractors and in-house technical and operational teams.
• Create contracts by developing scopes of work, estimating costs, identifying contractors, and negotiating contract awards.
• Report qualitatively and quantitatively on project status, progress, and risks.
• Develop and manage team project management tools and processes

Note: The above description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.  All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities due to the nature of work performed to accomplish Alta Bicycle Share’s Mission.

Required Skills and Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or analytical field and 5+ years of progressively more responsible experience.
• Experience managing at least one large and complex technology project or program across multiple teams or contractors.
• Technical experience and/or training sufficient to understand project technical risks.
• Exceptional verbal, written, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to build consensus, negotiate solutions and alternatives, and resolve conflicting high-priority requirements.
• Travel: will vary but must be willing/able to travel up to 25%.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Located in or willing to relocate to New York City metro area.
• A Master’s degree in an engineering or analytical field.
• Thorough knowledge of Project Management principles, concepts and practices.
• Experience creating contracts and managing contractors.
• PMP Certification is a plus.
• Passion for bicycling/bikeshare and progressive urban transportation on issues.

Alta Bicycle Share is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Alta Bicycle Share is a drug-free workplace.

Click here to learn more and to apply