Whatcom County's Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee holds its next public meeting on Wednesday, September 9, from 6 to 8 p.m., giving residents a chance to weigh in on active transportation planning across the county. The meeting is open to the public both in person and via Zoom, making it one of the more accessible county advisory sessions on the calendar.
In-person attendees can find the meeting at the Garden Level Conference Room at 322 N. Commercial Street in Bellingham, the main Whatcom County government building near downtown. Remote participants can join through the Zoom link posted on the county's public works page.
What the Committee Does
The Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee, often called the BPAC, advises Whatcom County Public Works and county leadership on issues related to non-motorized transportation. That includes recommending improvements to bike lanes, sidewalks, trail connections, crosswalks, and shared-use paths throughout unincorporated Whatcom County and in coordination with the cities of Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, and other municipalities.
The committee typically includes community members appointed by the County Council, along with technical staff from Public Works. Members review grant applications for trail and pedestrian infrastructure funding, provide input on development proposals that could affect walking and cycling routes, and help prioritize capital projects in the county's transportation improvement program.
Active transportation has become an increasingly prominent topic in Whatcom County as more residents commute by bike, walk for errands, and use regional trail networks for recreation. The county has been working to close gaps in its trail system, including extensions of the Whatcom County Trail network and connections to the Interurban Trail that runs between Bellingham and Larrabee State Park.
Why Public Participation Matters
Advisory committee meetings like this one are among the most direct opportunities for residents to shape infrastructure decisions before they go to the full County Council. Public comment at BPAC meetings has historically influenced which trail corridors get prioritized for funding, how road resurfacing projects handle bike lane striping, and how new subdivisions are required to connect pedestrian paths to adjacent neighborhoods.
Bellingham and Whatcom County have both seen a rise in pedestrian and cycling activity in recent years, and with that comes increased attention to safety. The county's intersection improvements, school zone crosswalks, and off-road trail expansions are all topics that regularly come before the advisory committee. Residents with concerns about a specific road, trail gap, or dangerous crossing are encouraged to raise those issues during public comment.
The Zoom option lowers the barrier considerably for people who want to monitor committee discussions or provide brief public input without driving downtown on a weeknight. Participants are encouraged to check the official agenda before joining to understand what topics will be covered and how to sign up for comment time.
How to Join Tonight's Meeting
For those attending in person, the Garden Level Conference Room is located at 322 N. Commercial Street in Bellingham, inside the Whatcom County Courthouse complex. Parking is available on surrounding streets and in county lots nearby.
For remote access, the Whatcom County Public Works page has the Zoom link and agenda posted ahead of the meeting. The county typically posts meeting materials at least a few days in advance so attendees can review documents before the session begins.
These twice-monthly advisory sessions run approximately two hours and include both staff presentations and time for public input. If you have a specific project or concern you'd like the committee to address, arriving early or connecting to the Zoom call a few minutes before 6 p.m. gives you the best chance to get on the public comment list.
For more background on Whatcom County's active transportation work and upcoming projects, the county's official website includes the current Transportation Improvement Program and maps of planned pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Residents can also find more local civic coverage including updates from other county boards and community meetings.
