Creating Walkable and Bikeable Communities
A user guide to developing pedestrian and bicycle master plans
Source: Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation (IBPI), Alta Planning and Design
Bicycle and pedestrian master plans document a community's comprehensive vision and detailed work plan for increasing the attractiveness of bicycling or walking over time. And since non-motorized transportation plans leverage the benefits of active transportation for everyone, including people who choose not to walk or ride, bicycle and pedestrian master plans are key strategy documents for enhancing overall livability.
Walking is the most fundamental of all transportation modes and part of nearly every trip we make. Planning for pedestrians, including people who travel with the aid of wheelchairs or other mobility devices, is planning for everyone. Bicycling also holds tremendous potential to increase mobility options for the relatively short trips that make up the majority of our daily travel by providing a quick and convenient way to access many destinations. In addition to increasing mobility options, walking and bicycling generate a range of health, safety, economic development, and environmental benefits.
Widespread acknowledgment of these benefits has generated increased interest in and demand for better walking and bicycling conditions from a wide array of groups, including neighborhood associations, bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations, and public health professionals. Elected officials are also recognizing that investments in active transportation support a high quality of life and improve their public image. Considering the range of ways active transportation engages with some of the most pressing challenges of our time, support for walking and bicycling is likely to continue to increase in the future.
