Pedestrian Master Planning

The Bellingham Pedestrian Master Plan is underway to identify steps toward creating a safe, well-connected and attractive pedestrian environment for all members of the community. The Public Draft of the plan will be available for comment May 1, 2012. A public Open House is scheduled Tuesday, May 15, 4-7 pm at the Bellingham Public Library lecture room. Public comments accepted through May 29, 2012.

Pedestrian Master Plan Vision Statement

Bellingham is a community that invites people of all ages and abilities to walk for enjoyment, exercise, and daily transportation by providing a safe, convenient and attractive pedestrian environment.

Pedestrian Master Plan Public Draft

• Public Draft May 1, 2012 (PDF)
• Appendices(PDF)

Open House Display Boards May 15, 2012

• Welcome and Where Do You Live Map (PDF)
• Vision and Goals (PDF)
• Needs Analysis (PDF)
• Primary Pedestrian Network (PDF)
• Recommended Project Development and Projects Lists (PDF)
• Pedestrian Design (PDF)
• Recommended Programs (PDF)
• Priority Projects (PDF)
• Implementation (PDF)
• Next Steps (PDF)

Pedestrian Master Plan Goals

• Multi-modal Transportation:
  Develop high-quality pedestrian facilities that provide access to all other modes of transportation.
• Safety:
  Improve pedestrian safety through well-designed facilities along and across roadways, and by promoting safe driving, walking and bicycling behaviors.
• Equity:
  Provide accessible pedestrian facilities for all through equity in public engagement, service delivery and capital investment.
• Public and Environmental Health:
  Develop a pedestrian network that promotes active, healthy lifestyles and sustains a healthy environment.
• Economic Sustainability:
  Enhance economic vibrancy by creating a safe and aesthetically pleasing walking environment with easy connections to commercial centers and inviting public places for people to socialize.
• Connectivity:
  Provide a citywide network of accessible, efficient and convenient pedestrian infrastructure that connects homes, work, shopping, schools, services, and recreation areas using sidewalks, crosswalks, trails, bridges, tunnels, and signage.
• Land Use and Site Design:
  Employ land use planning and site design requirements that are conducive to pedestrians and result in a mode shift away from automobile trips to walking trips.

Community Survey Summary

Opinions and information gathered from the public survey and public workshops are used as a basis for understanding the needs, ideas and concerns of Bellingham residents. The survey findings and locations of concern will be used along with other information to inform the planning process and the recommended improvements to the walking environment.

• Community Survey Summary (PDF)
• Appendix: Locations of Concern and Survey Document (PDF)

Process

Led by the City of Bellingham Public Works Department, the planning process kicked off on April 28, 2011 and the first public workshop (video) was held May 11. Residents who were not able to participate in the workshop could submit comments through our on-line survey through June 15, 2011.

• May 11 and 12, 2011 Workshop Summary and Steering Committee Meeting Notes (PDF)
• Project Milestones Revised (PDF)
• Steering Committee Members (PDF)

Once adopted, the plan will be incorporated into the Transportation Element of the City's Comprehensive Plan.

Public input is sought throughout four phases of the pedestrian planning process: assessing existing conditions, developing a vision for the plan, determining user needs and demands, and developing the pedestrian network priorities.

More Information

For more information contact Kim Brown, Transportation Options Coordinator kimbrown@cob.org, 778-7950

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