Trail and Route Planning for Bicyclists and Pedestrians

More people would travel by bicycle and foot if bicycle and pedestrian facilities were more available and better designed. To address this potential, municipalities can review the transportation needs of bicyclists and pedestrians in their communities to identify areas for improvement. Movement is often limited by street networks that are planned primarily for automobiles. Sidewalks may discontinue suddenly or large parking lots and fences may hinder movement from one area to another. Communities can provide and plan for many linkages between walkways, parking lots, parks, and developments to facilitate pedestrian and bicycle trips and transit use.

Communities can improve connectivity and pedestrian and bicycle movement by adding signs to indicate neighborhood connections and bicycle routes, and make bicycle and pedestrian routes safer by using separate traffic control devices for pedestrian and bicyclist use.

There is often strong community demand for safe and aesthetically pleasing multi-modal recreation and commuting trails. Developing these trails requires acquisition of trail easements, trail design, and trail construction. It is a good idea to involve adjacent landowners and local citizens in these phases to the greatest extent possible, as when the trail is completed there is frequently a great sense of community pride and sense of ownership of the trail.

Many times, old railroad beds are developed as trails, as they are often informally being used by community members as trails, are fairly level and straight, and are relatively easy to convert to multi-use trails. Communities may negotiate with utility companies to use their rights-of-way for trails, as well. Connecting trails to commercial areas can also stimulate retail and other business service activity by generating more pedestrian traffic in these areas. It is a good idea to coordinate trail development with adjacent municipalities, as railroad rights-of-way and other linear corridors often do not end at municipal boundaries, and there may be possibilities to work together to create longer or better trails.