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Given the challenges facing viable alternatives to automobile transportation in the greater Bloomington-Normal community, a clear vision is needed to help direct planning efforts and actions. The vision must not only represent the desires of community leaders, but it also has to have public support. To be effective, the vision must balance technical design standards, sound policy decisions, and demands of current and potential users.

CONNECTIONS

The vision is an interconnected system of bicycle-pedestrian routes that offer transportation alternatives and serve to reduce traffic congestion, prevent damage to the environment, promote physical health, and encourage social interaction. The system envisioned would provide opportunities for non-motorized commuting and thus provide individuals with the prospect of engaging in physical and social activities that are often neglected in today's fast paced lifestyles. The non-motorized transportation system would also provide important linkages between neighborhoods, communities, recreational facilities, educational institutions, and employment or retail centers. From these connections a greater sense of community can be developed.

GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND STRATEGIES

The framework for a successful bicycle/pedestrian plan must be entrenched in the vision of providing alternative modes of travel that serve the various needs of the community. Towards this end, goals and objectives form a foundation for action. This action takes the form of strategies, policies, and plans. Goals are the desired effects that are sought to be achieved through the planning process. Objectives represent what needs to be accomplished in order to reach the goals. How the objectives are met are guided by strategies, policies, and plans.

The following goals, objectives, strategies, and policies support the vision for bicycle and pedestrian transportation in the Bloomington-Normal metro area.

Improvement of air quality and reduction of traffic congestion through a decrease in automobile dependence by becoming a more bicycle-oriented environment that serves the economic, social, and environmental needs of the residents and visitors of Bloomington-Normal.

• A primary system of off road bicycle-pedestrian routes supplemented by safe and direct on road connections where off road facilities are not feasible.

• Identify routes that offer the potential for a high degree of off road connectivity.

• Encourage the development of an expanded system of off road bicycle-pedestrian routes.

• Bicycle friendly streets that increase bicycle ridership.*

• Remove parking along selected streets as appropriate and where feasible to provide for additional width for on road bicycling.*
• Improve rail crossings, sewer grates, and traffic signals to better accommodate bicyclists.*
• Provide adequate warning for bicyclists and motorists alike when approaching special transition areas such as bridges and structures that require narrowing of the road.
• Provide routine maintenance practices that include removal of debris.
• Restrict on-street parking to provide adequate width for on-road bicycling.*
• Provide shoulders of sufficient width where feasible to accommodate bicyclists.*

• Promote bicycling as a legitimate use of the roadway.*
• Consider the needs of bicyclists in the development of future streets.*
• Support the creation of incentives for using non-motorized modes.

• Maximize the potential benefits of the Constitution Trail to provide greater recreational and commuter usage.*

• Encourage the expansion of the Constitution Trail and the construction of additional trails as appropriate to provide improved access to more destinations.*

• Provide signage on the on-road sections of the trail.*
• Support the extensions of the trail that connect with additional destinations, including the Illinois State University Campus, Illinois Wesleyan University Campus, other schools, major employers, commercial centers, and parks.*

• Adequate parking facilities for bicycles.

• Require minimum bicycle parking facilities dependent on the type of size of a given facility.

• Encourage the provision of facilities for bicycle parking.

• An integrated transportation planning process that incorporates bicycle facilities planning with other modes to ensure early and ongoing provisions for bicycle transportation and to avoid the difficulties involved in retrofitting facilities.*

• Provide for interdepartmental coordination in the planning and design of streets and street improvements.*

• Coordinate bicycle facilities planning with transit planning to consider the possibilities for intermodal connections as urban development and corresponding transportation needs expand.*

• Adequate provisions for bicycling in newly developing areas.*

• Require the provision of trails in developing areas.*

• Encourage the development of bikeways consistent with existing plans for the region.
• Design, construct, operate, and maintain bicycle facilities in accordance with the Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the standards of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).*

• Bicycle trails and routes that are visibly safe and secure.*

• Provide educational programs on trail use and safety.*
• Increase the public awareness of bicycle police.*

• Promote the education of bicyclists on the rules of the road.*
• Promote the use of safety equipment among bicyclists.

• Direct and continuous access to desired destinations.

• Ensure that construction and maintenance crews do not block or impede bicycle/pedestrian corridors and traffic.

• Plan for interdepartmental coordination in the planning and design of streets and street improvements.

• Land use patterns that are conducive to non-motorized travel.

• Identify locations for neighborhood-oriented commercial uses, parks, and schools within safe and easy walking distances of residential areas.

• Encourage the siting of commercial and institutional developments adjacent to the street or sidewalk, as opposed to the center or rear of large parking lots.

An environment conducive to the safe, secure, and aesthetically desirable movement of pedestrian traffic.*

• Improved accessibility to pedestrian oriented trails.*

• Expand and develop multi-purpose trails to accommodate pedestrian needs for transportation and recreation use.*

• Support implementation of plans developed for compliance with the American Disabilities Act.*

• Sidewalks of sufficient width on both sides of streets.*

• Require sufficient sidewalk width and design standards in local subdivision ordinance.*

• Consider pedestrian needs in the planning and design of transportation facilities.

• Street lighting that provides sufficient illumination for adequate night visibility, security, and safety.*

• Maintain acceptable standards and requirements for sidewalk construction and street lighting in local subdivision ordinances.*

• Ensure proper enforcement of standards and requirements for the construction of sidewalks and street lights.

• Safe and efficient pedestrian crossings at major street intersections, trail crossings, and other locations.*

• Provide designated crosswalks at other major intersections to provide opportunities for pedestrians to safely cross thoroughfares without causing unreasonable disruptions vehicular traffic flows.*

• Promote the development of bicycle-pedestrian culverts or overpasses as feasible at appropriate crossings of major thoroughfares.*

• Pedestrian corridors between residential and multi-use developments.

• Identify appropriate locations for multi-use and pedestrian oriented design.

• Support multi-use development consistent with area land use plans.
• Encourage educational programs on the benefits of multi-use and pedestrian oriented development.