Community Mobility Committee Seeks Members, Community Involvement

A St. Louis City committee is recruiting residents to help guide policy and advise on non-car transportation.

The Community Mobility Committee is looking for residents with everyday experience of walking, using a wheelchair or mobility device, riding transit, or biking to weigh in on transportation issues for the city, develop policies, and be a conduit for residents to have a greater say in city government.

The Community Mobility Committee is a continuation of the citizen-based Bike Share Working Group, originally formed in 2017 to develop rules for bike and e-scooter sharing. The group evolved to take on broader issues facing people who walk, bike, use wheelchairs, take transit, or use other mobility devices. A resolution, introduced by 6th Ward Alderwoman Christine Ingrassia and approved by the Board of Aldermen in February 2020, transformed the group into a formal committee.

“The ability to get around is a basic human right and can be very difficult if you don’t have a car in St. Louis. Residents have important perspectives and experiences that can help shape how we get around the city and also make it safer.” said Alderwoman Ingrassia.

The Committee is currently working on everyday transportation and safety issues that impact St. Louisans, such as impacts of scooters and new mobility technology, exploring opportunities to have streets closed to automobiles, and helping ensure St. Louis is recognized for it’s bicycle infrastructure. Future efforts will include encouraging more public space through on-street parklets and encouraging careful consideration of how policies impact residents of different races, abilities, genders, and other identities.

“This is a community-based group, led by members who welcome all people impacted by transportation decisions. We encourage everyone to participate in forming solutions rooted in the community that will help shape what mobility in the future looks like,” said Tiffanie Stanfield, founder of Fighting Against Hit and Run Driving and committee member.

“We want this to be an inclusive, diverse space where people of all backgrounds can push city officials for more equitable and sustainable transportation policies,” said Jacque Knight, Community Mobility Committee chair.

City residents interested in expressing their opinion or joining the committee should visit the committee’s webpage for more information, or contact Scott Ogilvie. No prior experience with planning, government, or transportation is required to apply.

Meetings are open to the public and held 6 times a year on Wednesdays from 9:00 to 10:30AM. All meetings are currently held over Zoom. For more information on the committee, a complete schedule, zoom links, agendas, and past meeting minutes, visit the Committee’s website: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/planning/community-mobility/index.cfm

 

Related Resources

• St. Louis City Community Mobility Committee