Word on the Streets

Now Hiring an Executive Director


About the Coalition



The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition was incorporated as a nonprofit in December 2009 by a group of bicyclists who felt that more could be done to make Minneapolis safer and more attractive for bicycling, particularly by empowering more bicyclists to participate in city decision-making. We have a track record of success that has helped lead to new bike lanes, new bike parking, the hiring of the first-ever Minneapolis bicycle and pedestrian coordinator, and the hosting of the first-ever Minneapolis Open Streets event.

(www.mplsbike.org)



You may also view the posting on the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Website.

 



Primary Duties



This is a full-time, 1-3 year, contract-funded position responsible for implementing the vision of the Organization as defined by the Board of Directors. Primary management duties will consist of fundraising, financial management and planning, contract and grant management, contract negotiations, office management, compliance with non-profit laws, soliciting volunteer involvement, membership campaigns and retention, publishing newsletters and other member communication, coordination with local, state, and federal governments and organizations regarding bike issues, attending professional conferences and workshops, and being current on bicycle issues. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree and senior management experience working in a non-profit environment, performing duties similar to those listed above. The successful candidate should be able to start work no later than August 5, 2013.



Experience



Hiring employees and contractors · Member outreach · Campaign and advocacy work · Strong connections to diverse communities · Experience facilitating meetings and coordinating work groups · High energy level and great people skills · Experience using donor and member databases and social media · The ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously · Familiarity with Google Apps a plus · Knowledge of Minneapolis



Additional Information



Working conditions: Work will include meetings and events outside the office, primarily at locations within Minneapolis, and will include evenings and weekends. Position involves lifting, pushing, and pulling equipment up to 35 pounds. Equipment used includes, but is not limited to, general office and presentation equipment including telephone, desktop computer, laptop computer, printer, copier, LCD projector and fax machine. Requires the ability to operate a bicycle. Compensation and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience and competitive with similar nonprofits. Benefits package includes: health insurance, paid time off and a flexible work environment. Fringe benefits could include a bicycle commuting reimbursement, use of business phone and/or cell phone stipend.



How To Apply



Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] • All materials should be received by noon on July 5, 2013. • Please include “Executive Director Search” in the subject line of your email application • No phone calls or walk-ins please. Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing all persons equal access to employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. Individuals from underserved communities and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.



 

Bikeways for Everyone Workgroup Meeting Recap


The bikeways for everyone work group meets the third Monday of the month. On June 17th, we met in Bryant Square Park and this is what we discussed:



1. Washington Ave Update: Our work on Wash Ave is mostly done. Hennepin County has closed the project to public input but we are very optimistic that the final plan will include a cycletrack (protected bikeway) of some sort. This is a major victory and deserves celebration, especially considering that the initial plan for the Wash Ave redesign had NO bike lanes at all. We will plan an epic party when the cycletracks are done…which won’t be until some time in 2015. Save the date!



2. Minnehaha Ave Update: As other bloggers have noted, Hennepin County has delayed the reconstruction of Minnehaha Ave until 2015. This will allow for more public engagement and outreach on the project. We will be working hard to educate residents and businesses on the benefits of cycletracks (protected bikeways) in the coming weeks and months. Stay tuned for a public meeting coming up in July.



3. Planning for Open Streets: This Sunday, June 23, is Lyndale Open Streets. Lyndale Ave S will be closed from 22nd to 42nd St West from 10am to 4pm. We will be creating a pop-up cycle track (protected bikeway) to show everyone what a cycletrack really looks like and get people thinking about how great it would be to have 30 miles (or more!) of these protected bikeways around Minneapolis. We are still looking for volunteers to help out with lots of different Open Streets tasks; send us an email at [email protected] for more information.



4. New Website Discussion: We are still looking for content to put on our awesome new website that will be coming out soon. If you have pictures or written content that you think belongs on the web site, send us an email at [email protected] and we will put you in touch with the right people.



That’s all for this meeting. This work group is always open to new volunteers and new ideas. Feel free to join us next month—check the website for updates on location, time, and potential pre/post meeting happy hours.

 


Bicycle Registry, Zap Twin Cities Update, Changing State Demographics


Luther Krueger of the Minneapolis Police Department joined the Encouragement, Enforcement, Education, subcommittee last week.



His message: register your bike with the city of Minneapolis. It could help recover your bike in the event it is stolen. (Think of it like the pet registry system.) In an event of a possible theft, officers can query a bike on the street to verify ownership.




  • How to do it: Flip your bike over and look under the bottom bracket. Write down the serial number. Then call 311 or go to minneapolismn.gov/police to register your bike.

     


  • What it isn't: Mandatory. A license. Something that costs money. A way for bikes to be confiscated during a critical mass ride.

     


  • What it is: Voluntary. Easy.



Already 1,000 bikes have been registered, and the police have linkages with pawn shop databases and the ZAP Dero program. In fact, police have identified five bikes that have been tagged by the Zap program and contacted Zap to get the bikes to their rightful owners.



A Zap in the right direction 



Speaking of Zap…a first step toward getting bicycle commuting counted as a health care wellness discount is taking place. Zap is in early discussions with Medica to get a wellness initiative going for city employees that are under the Medica health care program, according to a meeting attendee.



Getting more minorities on bikes



According to recent Minnesota census data, since 2000, Minnesota's Asian population increased 7 percent, the black population increased 6 percent and the Hispanic population increased 5 percent.



Traditionally these groups don't come to meetings where bicycle issues are being decided. So how do we engage these populations? How do we know if bike programs and bicycle facilities are meeting the needs of the state's increasing minority groups (now making up 18 percent of Minnesota's population)? Interestingly, this news comes at the same time the League of American bicyclists issued a diversity report on minority engagement.



Committee member Bill Dooley suggested we ask get minority representation on the Bicycle Advisory Committee to become help with outreach. This caught the attention of BAC board chair Nick Mason.



How this goes about needs to be hashed out, but look for this topic to be under discussion going forward.



Bill's ideas:




  • Recommend the mayor formally appoint a person to the BAC whose sole responsibility would be outreach to various minority communities.


  • Recommend each BAC ward representative send the LAB Diversity Report to their respective city council member and ask that each council member put them in touch with minority community leaders in each ward for the purpose of ascertaining minority community needs surrounding bicycling and bicycle infrastructure.


  • Recommend minority community leaders present directly to the BAC regarding minority community needs surrounding bicycling and bicycle infrastructure. 



That's the roundup from last week's EEE meeting. - Kevin



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