Transit is a critical element of the transportation system. Longer trips that cannot be made by bicycle or on foot can be made by bus or by rail, thus reducing dependency on motor vehicles. According to a recent study, approximately 20 percent of transit users acquire their daily recommended amount of physical activity simply by walking to and from transit stops. Not only that, transit is a relatively safe means of getting around, with one-tenth of the risk of fatal injury compared with car travel. Transportation and land use planners can facilitate use of transit by developing compact, walkable areas with diverse land use types around transit stops and stations (often called “transit-oriented development”). Further, transportation planners and engineers can coordinate with transit service providers to design connected street networks that allow as many residents and visitors as possible to safely access transit.

Bicycling, walking, and micromobility are complementary to transit and users must be able to access transit stops on foot and by bike. An efficient and reliable transit system also provides bicyclists and pedestrians flexible travel modes, thus expanding the range of transportation options for those not traveling by car.

At some point, every transit rider is a pedestrian. Some riders have a short walk from a parking lot to a transit stop or station, and others have a longer walk from their home, office, or commercial center. A bicycle-to-transit trip typically extends the catchment area of a bus stop or train station to two or three miles. Thus, it is critical that transit stops and their surrounding environments are safe and accessible for all users. Transportation officials and advocates are increasingly attentive to the "first mile / last mile" problem and how to create safe and seamless connections for bicyclists and pedestrians using transit as a part of their journey.

Resources

Interest in Shared-Use Mobility Services in Tribal Communities
US Department of Transportation
Addresses the need to understand shared-use mobility services in tribal areas.

Improving Safety for Pedestrians and Bicyclists Accessing Transit
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration
Provides a comprehensive understanding of how to address pedestrian and bicyclist safety concerns related to accessing transit.

National Public Transportation Safety Plan
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Focuses on enhancing safety in public transportation.

Terrorism, Transit and Public Safety
Victoria Transport Policy Institute
This paper evaluates the overall safety of public transit, taking into account all risks, including recent terrorist attacks.

NACTO Transit Street Design Guide
National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)
Provides guidelines on designing streets for transit while enhancing the overall utility of the street for all users, including those traveling by foot or by bicycle.

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Examples

Montgomery County, MD: Increasing Equitable Transit Access by Improving Walkability
Brookings
Describes efforts to study and tackle pedestrian access as a fundamental equity issue across communities that a new rail line will serve.

Pursuing Equity in Pedestrian and Bicycle Planning
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) and Federal Highway Administration
This white paper discusses ways to improve the ability of traditionally underserved communities to travel safely and conveniently via walking or wheeling in a sustainable, equitable transportation system

Vision Zero Cities 2016
Transporation Alternatives
Vision Zero Cities features insights from an international braintrust of experts in the public and private sector.

Bicycling and Walking in the United States 2016
Alliance for Biking and Walking
The Alliance for Biking & Walking hasbeen tracking data across the U.S. throughthe Benchmarking Project since 2003.Every two years, the project team releasesan updated report with the most recentdata available, providing a comprehensivesnapshot of biking and walking in the U.S.

Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide
FHWA
This Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide outlines planning considerations for separated bike lanes (also sometimes called "cycle tracks" or "protected bike lanes") and provides a menu of design optionscovering typical one and two-way scenarios.  

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