Adrienne Agarwal_Redacted — File 24-0780

4/17/24, 12 00 PM Somerville Committee Application 2024 https //forms office com/Pages/DesignPageV2 aspx?origin NeoPortalPage&subpage design&groupid ef7344a0 29a4 40bb a8ff f7ed4169b50c&id 2/2 Why are you interested in serving on the PTAC/SBAC? 8. I want to be on SBAC because I believe very strongly in anything that reduces the effects of climate change and can improve the health of living beings. When I moved to Somerville in October 2022, I was delighted to hear that we had a car-free mayor. Leading by example is exactly how our public officials should live and I hope that by serving as a member of SBAC, that I can encourage others to bike more. Talking to friends and strangers, I have learned that a main barrier to biking for many is safety and people not feeling confident to ride in urban settings. As a member of SBAC, I want to show my fellow residents how much the city cares about its safety by the amount of thought and planning that goes into all the biking infrastructure, as well as work to address concerns that are brought up by those hesitant to bike. I would be happy to take a role of advocacy and outreach during my time on SBAC to get the word out about biking! Please describe any relevant experiences. This could include employment responsibilities, volunteer work, club leadership, community organizing, or personal transit/biking/pedestrian enthusiasm. 9. I have not owned a car since 2012 and I happily ride my bike first as my preferred mode of transportation. I mostly work from home but use my bike for the monthly office commute, errands, and occasionally for exercise. When I lived in San Francisco from 2012-2022, I volunteered for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition at their yearly Bike to Work Days (pre-Covid) and loved talking to other cyclists about how much they love to bike; I also volunteered for various tasks like calling perspective members and giving away bike lights when the seasons changed. From 2014-2021, I worked in operations management at Recology, the waste hauling company that serviced San Francisco, and while there, I organized two presentations by the San Francisco Bicycle Committee to the trash truck drivers about the safety of watching for cyclists while working. Also in this role, when there were events in the city like SuperBowl, major conferences, or other festivals that involved street closures, I would work with the city to identify safer routes to maintain trash collection which demonstrates my ability to work with the city (DPW) and adjust logistics as needed. I have been on the Steering Committee of Somerville Alliance for Safe Streets (SASS) since July 2023. I am also on the composting committee of the Somerville chapter of Mother Out Front where I am working with a cross generational group to advocate for city provided food waste collection through city officials and community engagement.