DVRPC / Transportation / Multi-Modal / Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning

Bicycle Planning

The bicycle, as a means of transportation and a form of recreation, offers many benefits for individuals, families and the community. Yet many people who would gladly bicycle for various trips in their communities find little or no accommodation for bicycles on area roads. Roads and highways that are designed to accommodate bicycles provide greater mobility for an increasing number of road users at low capital and environmental cost.

The range typical of bicycle trips (two to six miles), and the location of a significant share of bicycle destinations along the arterial network, suggest that arterial roads play an important role in bicycle mobility. Yet suburban arterial streets and highways are often the most stressful for the average bicyclist. Poor roadway service quality from bicyclists' perspective is a major impediment to increased bicycle use in suburban areas.

The bicycle and pedestrian planning staff at DVRPC works with the New Jersey Bicycle Advisory Council and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Bicycle Task Force (SEPABITF).

Pedestrian Planning

Although everyone benefits from walking, walking isn't always safe and easy -- particularly in Delaware Valley communities which have developed over the last half-century with a focus on automobile travel. With help from the counties, DVRPC staff identified several small areas with clear potential for pedestrian travel, including residential neighborhoods surrounding schools, rail stations, or commercial strips; and looked closely at the pedestrian environment. What staff found was that the needs of pedestrians have typically been overlooked over years of roadway improvements, new development and redevelopment. This initial examination of the pedestrian environment will be followed by consultation with county and municipal planning staffs to work through design and implementation issues.

The bicycle and pedestrian planning staff at DVRPC works with the New Jersey Pedestrian Task Force [.pdf | 6.7 MB] and Philly Walks.

These reports are available through our Service Counter at 215/238-2828 or via email at ssmith@dvrpc.org.