Applicants are being sought for the newly established Lewiston-Auburn Bike-Ped Committee. The purpose of the committee is to promote bicycle-pedestrian education and to develop and monitor policy for non-motorized transportation and recreation in Lewiston-Auburn.

The Lewiston and Auburn City Councils both voted to create the committee, and interested individuals may apply at their respective City Clerk’s Office at 27 Pine Street in Lewiston and 60 Court Street in Auburn. Online committee applications can also be found at www.lewistonmaine.gov and www.auburnmaine.org.

The committee was proposed by Lewiston Councilor Craig Saddlemire and Auburn resident Jeremiah Bartlett. They noted that many L-A residents already run, walk and bike for recreation and commuting purposes. They noted that many local efforts to make L-A more walkable and bikeable, such as the pedestrian bridge, LA Riverwalk paths, Lewiston Riverside Trail, bike lanes, parking racks and the Long-Range Bike-Ped Plan (ATRC), are already underway.

However, the public benefits of a committee that will help plan and monitor these efforts more systematically could be substantial, including decreased automobile traffic volume, decreased automobile infrastructure requirements, an L-A partnership that is favorable in securing grant funding, increased property values and a community that is more attractive to young people and tourists.

The committee will consist of seven voting members: one Auburn councilor and two Auburn residents appointed by Mayor Jonathan LaBonté; one Lewiston councilor and two Lewiston residents appointed by Mayor Robert E. Macdonald; and a local business representative jointly selected by the two mayors.

Criteria to be considered will include whether applicants commute in L-A by bike, by foot or by wheelchair; have a planning background in transportation; and walk and/or bike recreationally in L-A.