The Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030 has numerous goals and policies that support bicycling in our community. Whilst cycling is already legal in communities, some people still fear that it is too dangerous. To get around this, more safety measures need to be taken. Perhaps some cycle paths should be designed. Cyclists could be kept safe if they used some red traffic cones, for example, to keep cars away from the area. This would lower the risk to cyclists. Central to the document’s support of bicycling is recognition of the Flagstaff Urban Trails System (Map 26) and Transportation Goal T.6. “Provide for bicycling as a safe and efficient means of transportation and recreation.” However, there are other supporting goals and policies related to transportation, open space, recreation, etc. These goals and policies show how the topic of walking and bicycling are integrated into the quality of life that the Regional Plan envisions for the Flagstaff community:
Goal or Policy |
Relation to Bicycling |
Policy E&C.1.1. Engage public agencies concerned with the improvement of air quality, and implement state and regional plans and programs to attain overall federal air quality standards (in particular ozone, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide) on a long term basis. | Commuting by bicycle reduces vehicle miles traveled by car, and therefore, ozone and carbon monoxide emissions |
Goal E&C.2. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Policy E&C.2.1. Encourage the reduction of all energy consumption, especially fossil-fuel generated energy, in public, commercial, industrial, and residential sectors. |
Commuting by bicycle reduces vehicle miles traveled by car, and therefore, greenhouse gas emissions |
Goal OS.1. The region has a system of open lands, such as undeveloped natural areas, wildlife corridors and habitat areas, trails, access to public lands, and greenways to support the natural environment that sustains our quality of life, cultural heritage, and ecosystem health. Policy OS.1.4. Use open space as opportunities for non-motorized connectivity, to interact with nature, and to enjoy the views and quiet. Policy OS.1.5. Integrate open space qualities into the built environment. |
The Plan ties open space conservation and access to trails to the quality of life in Flagstaff |
Goal E.1. Increase energy efficiency. Policy E.1.3. Empower all community members to make smarter energy choices through education and incentives. |
Bicycling and walking are efficient and carbon neutral modes of transportation from an energy perspective. |
Goal LU.2. Develop Flagstaff’s Greenfields in accordance with the Regional Plan and within the growth boundary. Policy LU.2.1. Design new neighborhoods that embody the characteristics of Flagstaff’s favorite neighborhoods – that is, with a mix of uses, a variety of housing types and densities, public spaces, and greater connectivity with multimodal transportation options. Policy LU.2.2. Design new development to coordinate with existing and future development, in an effort to preserve viewsheds, strengthen connectivity, and establish compatible and mutually supportive land uses. |
Considers multimodal transportation in new neighborhoods and strengthen connectivity which would maintain and increase opportunities for bicycling. |
Policy LU.3.2. Coordinate land use, master planning, and recreational uses, when feasible, with local, state, and federal land management agencies and tribal land owners. |
Coordinated bicycling and walking to create opportunities across ownerships and land area types. |
Goal LU.12. Accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and private cars to supplement downtown’s status as the best-served and most accessible location in the region. Policy LU.12.8. Provide for strong connections from the Flagstaff Medical Campus to the Northern Arizona University campus via pedestrian paths, bicycle connections, streets, and transit service. Policy LU.12.9. As defined in the FUTS Master Plan, include trail access points, bicycle parking, and bicycle facilities. |
Supports bicycling in the context of downtown. |
Policy LU.13.1. Prioritize connectivity for walking, biking, and driving within and between surrounding neighborhoods (in suburban areas). Policy LU.13.3. Consider retro-fitting suburbs for walkability and mixed-use. Policy LU.13.9. Use open space and FUTS trails to provide walking and biking links from residential uses to employment, shopping, schools, parks, and neighborhoods. |
Walkability and bicycling are recognized as components of quality suburbs. |
Policy LU.14.4. Connect rural neighborhoods using roads, trails (equestrian, foot, and bicycle), and public access to the National Forest. Policy LU.15.4. Accommodate safe and convenient walking, biking, and transit facilities in existing and proposed employment centers. Policy LU.17.1. Enhance connectivity and coordinated planning efforts with neighborhoods contiguous to special planning areas. |
Special Planning Areas, Employment and Rural areas also benefit from increased bicycle and pedestrian connections. |
Policy LU.18.5. Plan for and support multi-modal activity centers and corridors with an emphasis on pedestrian and transit friendly design. Policy LU.19.4. Balance automobile use, parking, bicycle access, while prioritizing pedestrian safety along all corridors. |
Planning and design of mixed use activity centers and corridors will take bicycling into account. |
Goal CC.4. Design and develop all projects to be contextually sensitive, to enhance a positive image and identity for the region. Policy CC.4.1. Design streetscapes to be context sensitive and transportation systems to reflect the desired land use while balancing the needs of all modes for traffic safety and construction and maintenance costs. Policy CC.4.4. Design streets and parking lots to balance automobile facilities, recognize human-scale and pedestrian needs, and accentuate the surrounding environment. |
The needs of pedestrians and bicyclists would be park of factors considered in designing streetscapes and parking areas. |
Goal T.1. Improve mobility and access throughout the region. Policy T.1.1. Integrate a balanced, multimodal, regional transportation system. Policy T.1.2. Apply Complete Street Guidelines to accommodate all appropriate modes of travel in transportation improvement projects. Policy T.1.3. Transportation systems are consistent with the place type and needs of people. Policy T.1.4. Provide a continuous transportation system with convenient transfer from one mode to another. Policy T.1.5. Manage the operation and interaction of all modal systems for efficiency, effectiveness, safety, and to best mitigate Policy T.1.6. Provide and promote strategies that increase alternate modes of travel and demand for vehicular travel to reduce peak period traffic. |
Bicycling has a role in improving the overall mobility and access of the Region. |
Goal T.2. Improve transportation safety and efficiency for all modes. Policy T.2.1. Design infrastructure to provide safe and efficient movement of vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Policy T.2.3. Provide safety programs and infrastructure to protect the most vulnerable travelers, including the young, elderly, mobility impaired, pedestrians, and bicyclists. |
Providing for bicycling safety in transportation planning and programs to promote safety awareness can increase participation. |
Policy T.3.2. Promote transportation systems that reduce the use of fossil fuels and eventually replace with carbon neutral alternatives. Policy T.3.8. Promote transportation options such as increased public transit and more bike lanes to reduce congestion, fuel consumption, and overall carbon emissions and promote walkable community design. |
Bicycling and walking are efficient and carbon neutral modes of transportation from an energy perspective. |
Goal T.6. Provide for bicycling as a safe and efficient means of transportation and recreation. Policy T.6.1. Expand recognition of bicycling as a legitimate and beneficial form of transportation. Policy T.6.2. Establish and maintain a comprehensive, consistent, and highly connected system of bikeways and FUTS trails. Policy T.6.3. Educate bicyclists and motorists about bicyclist safety through education programs, enforcement, and detailed crash analyses. Policy T.6.4. Encourage bikeways and bicycle infrastructure to serve the needs of a full range of bicyclist experience levels. Policy T.6.5. Provide short- and long-term bicycle parking where bicyclists want to travel. Policy T.6.6. Integrate policies to increase bicycling and meet the needs of bicyclists into all relevant plans, policies, studies, strategies, and regulations. |
Providing for bicycling safety in transportation planning and programs to promote safety awareness can increase participation. |
Policy T.7.3. Support a public transit system design that encourages frequent and convenient access points, for various transportation modes and providers, such as private bus and shuttle systems, park-and-ride lots for cars and bicycles, and well-placed access to bus, railroad, and airline terminal facilities. Policy T.7.5. Incorporate adopted plans and policies for non-motorized and public transportation in the permitting process for all development or land use proposals, including provisions for efficient access and mobility, and convenient links between pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities. |
Bicycling is supported in the design of local transit systems to provide connections between transit stops. |
Policy NH.1.3. Interconnect existing and new neighborhoods through patterns of development, with complete streets, sidewalks, and trails. | Complete streets, sidewalks, and trails consider the environment for bicyclists. |
Goal REC.1. Maintain and grow the region’s healthy system of convenient and accessible parks, recreation facilities, and trails. | Biking to the park or on trails gives families and friends opportunities to bicycle together. |