Bicycle and pedestrian considerations are institutionalized at state, regional, and local levels through the adoption of plans that provide a roadmap for projects and programs. These plans can support the nuts and bolts of Complete Streets policy implementation, address transportation options, and provide a framework to operationalize Vision Zero and other goals. Pedestrian and bicycle plans can be stand alone or may be elements of an integrated, multimodal transportation system. Effective plans reflect the values of the community they serve and are constantly being revised and updated.

Regardless of the size of the community, plan development consists of a few key steps: 1) set a vision and outline goals; 2) review and document existing conditions including policies, ordinances, infrastructure, and programs to identify challenges and opportunities; 3) engage stakeholders, decision makers, and the public at large to share and gather feedback for next steps; 4) use data to inform project needs, identify unsafe behaviors to target, and set benchmarks for measuring performance; and 5) prioritize projects and programs to implement and identify funding options.

Resources

Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning, Program, and Project Development
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Updated FHWA guidance to support safe multimodal networks.

Collaborative Governance for Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Accessibility Infrastructure Data
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
Addresses gaps in accessing infrastructure data and proposes structural changes for improved data availability.

Safe System Approach for the Urban Core
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Describes how to apply the Safe System Approach in urban areas with different types of land uses and road users.

Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessments
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Outlines Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessments as part of Strategic Highway Safety Plans.

Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Provides examples of applying nonmotorized network principles in small and rural communities.

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Examples

Noteworthy Practice: VDOT Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Offers a case study on Virginia DOT Pedestrian Safety Action Plan.

The Pedestrian Safety Action Plan in Austin, Texas
City of Austin, Texas
Outlines 21 recommendations for improving pedestrian safety across a wide range of program areas.

Fundamentals of Community Impact Assessment
National Highway Institute
Offers self-paced training on Community Impact Assessment in transportation planning.

Montgomery County, Maryland, Bicycle Master Plan
Montgomery County, Maryland
Establishes a vision and strategy for achieving a low stress bicycle network.

Case Studies in Delivering Safe, Comfortable, and Connected Pedestrian and Bicycle Networks (Volume I)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA, UNC Highway Safety Research Center (HSRC)
This report provides an overview of pedestrian and bicycle network principles and highlights examples from communities across the country.

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