Planning Guide for Developing Bicycle Plans and Pedestrian Plans

The abbreviated template below reflects the suggested organization and content for development of a comprehensive municipal bicycle or pedestrian plan. This abbreviated template was developed as a guide to municipalities preparing a plan with funds received through the NCDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative. A more detailed template (full template pdf, 40 KB) has also been developed to provide additional guidance on plan content.

Preface

• Title page
• Acknowledgements

Executive Summary
Table of Contents
Index of Maps
Index of Tables, Figures and/or charts

Section 1: Introduction

• Vision Statement
• History
• Overall Goals
• Scope and Purpose of Plan

Section 2: Evaluating Current Conditions

• General Overview
  • Describe community (demographics, physical characteristics, transportation network)
  • Determine community concerns, needs and priorities
  • Analyze local bike/ped crash data
• Assess Bike/Ped Compatibility of Local Transportation System
  • Street and highway system access
  • Bike/ped system access
  • Transit interface
  • Gaps, hazards and barriers (deficiencies)
• Describe current Usage / User Demographics
• Inventory and Assess Existing Bicycle or Pedestrian Facilities

Section 3: Existing Plans, Programs and Policies

• Relevant local, regional and state plans and guidelines
• Programs and initiatives currently underway or planned
• Policies and institutional framework
  
• Relevant bicycle or pedestrian statutes and ordinances

Section 4: Develop Strategic Bicycle or Pedestrian System Plan

• System overview
• Corridor identification
  • Identify desired corridors of travel
  • Map the generators/attractors
  • Investigate origin-destination points
• Incorporate short-term and long-term opportunities
  • New construction projects
  • Upgrade/retrofit of existing facilities
  • Maintenance programs
  • Available corridors for off-road facilities
    
• Identify special focus areas (current and future)
  
• Identify potential projects / infrastructure improvements
  • Identify projects
  • Specify preferred treatments

Section 5: Facility Standards and Guidelines

• General bike/ped planning and design guidelines
• Typical cross-sections and bicycle and pedestrian design considerations

Section 6: Ancillary Facilities and Programs

• Mapping and/or signing projects
• Spot improvement programs
• Bicycle parking facilities
• Infrastructure maintenance programs
• Traffic calming initiatives
• Transit interface
• Safety education programs
• Safe Routes to School initiatives
• Enforcement programs
• Encouragement and promotion

Section 7: Project Development

• Identify potential projects, preferred treatments and program initiatives, and develop cost estimates
• Prioritize projects and program initiatives (infrastructure and non-infrastructure)
• Review funding sources / processes
  • Potential funding sources
  • Guidelines on obtaining funds
• Identify supporting policies/guidelines

Section 8: System Maps

• Existing conditions
• Recommended network map
• Priority corridors for improvement
• Detailed project maps (individual project or portion of municipality)
• State Comprehensive Transportation Plan overlay

Section 9: Project Recommendations

• Project Descriptions
  • Construction
  • Safety and education
  • Law enforcement
  • Encouragement
• Recommendations for improved bicycle and pedestrian policies, guidelines and procedures
  • Funding policies and guidelines
  • Local ordinances
  • Design guidelines
  • Departmental procedures (e.g. improved maintenance schedules)
  • Integration into planning processes (state, regional and local)
• Funding recommendations
  
• Staffing/committee recommendations

Section 10: Guidance on Plan Implementation

• Identifying opportunities and strategies to move projects forward
• Adopting the plan
• Initiating actions
• Establishing performance measures

Appendices
Sample cost estimates
Glossary of terms
Other

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