Transportation Alternatives for Marin (“TAM”) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to
promote pedestrian and bicycle transportation, particularly in the United States. This mission is advanced through the promotion of Marin County, California as a model community of pedestrian and bicycle transportation, and the demonstration that investment in integrated bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, combined with education, can relieve a substantial portion of the overall transportation load. TAM is a consensus-building organization that seeks to educate diverse decision-making groups about pedestrians and bicycles as the optimal transportation solution. The organization acts as a liaison with local, federal and state governmental agencies, the public, organizational constituents, the business community and similar groups in foreign countries.
TAM’s Activities and Successes
TAM promotes bicycles as “the optimal transit solution” and works to educate members of local government, business, and institutions. TAM educates through articles, meetings, public events, word of mouth, and transportation tours. Some of TAM‟s activities and accomplishments to date are listed below:
; Currently working with Mill Valley‟s Planning Commission on design strategies that will promote safe and
efficient bicycle/pedestrian transportation along Mill Valley‟s Miller Avenue as part of the Miller Avenue
Precise Plan.
; Currently working with the College of Marin to prioritize improved bicycle and pedestrian access to and
across the Kentfield and Indian Valley campuses as the $250 million Facilities Master Plan is developed. ; Currently working with SMART (Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit) to plan the bicycle pedestrian path that
will span 68 miles from Larkspur to Cloverdale.
; Currently participating in Highway 101 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Gap Closure project to ensure
construction of safe bicycle and pedestrian access, as called for in several city and county transportation plans. ; Currently participating in the Waldo Point Harbor Project to preserve the Pacific Northwest Railroad right-
of-way and the continuous Class I Pedestrian and Bicycle path designated in the North-South Bikeways Plan. ; Currently spearheading the Richardson Bay Safe Neighborhoods Team (RB-SNT), which consists of
several Mill Valley citizen groups, including Mill Valley Safe Routes to Schools and Steps, Lanes & Paths. The mission is to develop a pedestrian and bicycle master plan that integrates all County, Mill Valley and neighborhood plans, including Marin County Master Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, Mill Valley Transportation Plan, Mill Valley Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, Safe Routes to School, Miller Avenue Precise Plan, Steps, Lanes and Paths, CTMP, and the North-South Greenway to identify common objectives and priorities. ; Worked with Marin County, National Park Service, California State Parks and Caltrans to develop the Comprehensive Transportation Management Plan (CTMP) for the Southwestern Parks in Marin,
including Muir Woods, Muir Beach, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Stinson Beach, Tennessee Valley and others. ; Supported Measure A, a regional half-cent transportation sales tax that will raise approximately $331 million over the next 20 years for local transportation projects. All roadway projects will factor the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians in a “complete the streets” fashion. 11% of the funds are specifically allocated to the Safe Routes to Schools program for infrastructure improvements, crossing guards and education. Supported allocation of Measure A funds for the maintenance of the North-South Greenway. Currently serving on Measure A Citizen‟s Oversight Committee.
; Supported Regional Measure 2, which provides for a $1.00 bridge toll increase in the region. Among other projects, this will fund the opening of the Cal Park Hill Tunnel and the Central Marin Ferry Connection (Approximately $15 million).
August 29, 2010
; Planned and financed the 1998, 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2006 Netherlands Transportation Tours, in which
elected officials, transportation planners and bicycle advocates travel with TAM‟s staff to learn about the integrated bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure throughout the Netherlands. The first tour preceded Marin County‟s commitment to creating a Countywide Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and served as the basis
and inspiration for the $100 million national Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program passed in the 2005 SAFETEA-LU federal transportation bill.
; Supported efforts to re-open the Cal Park Hill Tunnel, a critical connection between Andersen Drive and the Larkspur Ferry Terminal.
; Hosted Mill Valley Alto Tunnel meetings throughout 2002 and 2003.
; Participated in the finalization of Mill Valley Master Bike Plan to preserve Alto Tunnel options.
; Hosted Congressional Bike Breakfast featuring keynote speakers Senator James Oberstar (D-MN) and thRepresentative Lynn Woolsey (D-CA, 6 District) in August 2002. Shortly thereafter, Senator James Oberstar introduced the Pedestrian and Cyclist Equity Act of 2003 (PACE), which would fund Safe Routes to School, create more bikeable and walkable communities, and fund pilot communities for non-motorized transportation, modeled after a similar program in The Netherlands.
; Helped coordinate and provide education materials for local cities to organize and participate in the development of the Marin Bicycle Plan.
; In 1997 and 1998, TAM‟s CEO, Patrick Seidler, served as the “bicycle representative” on Marin County’s
Blue Ribbon Transportation Steering Committee (TSC), a special group charged with developing a transit plan for improved and integrated transportation services.
; TAM‟s CEO, Patrick Seidler, served on the County Bikeways Committee, and the Congestion
Management Agency’s Bicycle Technical Advisory Committee, which is overseeing the development of
the Master Bicycle Plan.
; TAM‟s CEO, Patrick Seidler, worked on the County Committee that developed the plan for the “North-
South Bicycle Freeway,” a multi-use facility that will parallel Highway 101 (the fourth most congested roadway in California). The Bicycle Freeway will pass by 51 schools, seven Park „n Ride lots, many businesses and two ferry terminals.
; Leading implementation of the North-South Greenway by attending and initiating meetings and
communicating with numerous stakeholders over an 11-year period.
; Educated the Office of the Governor of California on Marin‟s North-South Greenway proposal.
; Participated in the development of the Countywide Bicycle Master Plan, including initiation of key elements.
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TAM is a Non-Profit California Public Benefit Corporation.
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS MAY BE SENT TO:
Transportation Alternatives for Marin, 187 E. Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941
August 29, 2010