Bob Bose was first elected to Surrey City Hall as an Alderman in 1978, and re-elected in 1980, 1982 and 1984. He was elected Mayor in 1987 and re-elected in 1990 and 1993.

Bob was a member of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) board  from 1988 through 1996 and served on numerous committees. His main focus was land use planning and transportation, having chaired the GVRD Transit Committee from 1980 -1982 and serving on land use and transportation committees through 1996.

Bob served on the Board of BC Transit and the Vancouver Regional Transit Commission. He chaired the Strategic Planning Committee of the GVRD through four of the five years leading to the region's Strategic Plan embracing both land use and transportation plans, adopted in 1995.

Bob is a Vice President of Cycling BC, and a director of B.C. Randonneurs (Marathon Cycling Club), and the Ocean Park Community Association.