Encouraging Bicycling and Walking
Part of the Authority's vision for a balanced, safe and efficient transportation network includes the encouragement of bicycling and walking in Contra Costa County. The strategies in the Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan include requiring local jurisdictions to adopt policies and standards to support walking and bicycling in new developments, supporting pedestrian-oriented developments, investing in trails and walkways, and encouraging local jurisdictions to develop bicycle facilities as part of a coordinated countywide system.
The Authority encourages bicycling and walking in several ways. It oversees programs that provide funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects. These programs include the bicycle and pedestrian funding categories in both Measure C and Measure J as well as the new Contra Costa Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC) program. The Authority also oversees some MTC funding programs, including the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Program and the MTC TLC program, that have funded a number of bicycle and pedestrian projects in the county.
Besides the new funding programs in Measure J, the revised Growth Management Program refocuses some of the local requirements to require local jurisdictions to adopt policies and standards to support walking and bicycling in new developments before they become eligible for a share of local streets funding.
The Authority outlines overall goals and strategies for encouraging bicycling and walking in its Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan . The current plan was adopted in 2003 and helped inform the content of Measure J. The Authority will update the plan in 2007 and 2008.
Many other agencies and organizations actively support bicycling and walking in Contra Costa County and the region through their own plans and programs. This support includes local bicycle and pedestrian plans, safe bicycling instruction programs, facility planning and design guidance, and mapping of bicycle routes.
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