ADOT seeks public comment on bike plan

The Arizona Department of Transportation is seeking public comment about its Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan to improve safety and multimodal travel options.

ADOT is updating the plan, which was first established in 2003.

The public comment period ends Feb. 8. The updated Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is expected to be completed this spring.

“We're calling on the public and members of the bicycling and pedestrian communities to provide us with their ideas,” said Michael Sanders, ADOT's bicycle and pedestrian program coordinator.

“It's this kind of feedback that allows us to refine the goals and objectives of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and continue our work to develop changes in safety, infrastructure and education as they apply to our state highway system.”

The recommended strategies fall into three categories: plans and policies; education, enforcement, encouragement and evaluation; and bicyclist and pedestrian infrastructure.

Those interested in sharing their thoughts on the draft final report can fill out an online comment form at www.azbikeped.org/studyupdate/documents.asp.

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan “has 24 recommended strategies that are outlined in the draft final report,” said Laura Douglas, ADOT news operations manager.

“These strategies are all aimed at advancing our efforts that have been ongoing since 2003 to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety, infrastructure and education, as they apply to our state highway system.”

Since the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was implemented in 2003, ADOT has made several changes to infrastructure to make it safer for both bicyclists and pedestrians including shoulder widening, paving and restriping along state highways to allow more room for those not in motor vehicles, Douglas said.

ADOT's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program has also worked to advance safety education efforts “by stressing the importance and the responsibility of everyone to share the road and to know the rules of the road,” she added.

“This applies to drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. There are a lot of good educational resources that are posted on www.azbikeped.org, which is the website for ADOT's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program.”

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.