The Durham Comprehensive Bicycle Transportation Plan, The City and County of Durham, North Carolina
Project Description > The City and County of Durham are part of one of the fastest growing regions in the State of North Carolina. Extensive redevelopment and reconstruction are reviving the once thriving epicenter of Durham, while suburban expansion is closing the gaps between neighboring municipalities. As Durham continues to evolve and expand, the 2006 Comprehensive Bicycle Transportation Plan provides one of the building blocks for the future to aid in improving the quality of life and offer alternative transportation options for the area. The goal of this plan is to increase mode share and safety for all levels of bicyclists, and provide a bicycle friendly environment, that all citizens of Durham can benefit from.
This Plan provides a comprehensive approach toward identifying existing bicycle needs and deficiencies, presents a new route network to address those deficiencies, examines optimal design and policy improvements, and identifies implementation strategies for the development of quality bicycle facilities and programs.
This Plan included significant levels of public input. The range of input included three public workshops and presentations, three plan review meetings with the project Steering Committee, focused appeals for input from low-income and minority communities, a survey of bicycle interests and needs with more than 600 participants, and a thorough review of existing plans, each of which included previous public input.
For many years, small and large communities across the United States and throughout the world have been implementing strategies for serving the bicycle needs of their residents. They do this because of their obligations to promote health, safety and welfare, and also because of the growing awareness of the many benefits of bicycling. These benefits can include increased health and physical activity, reduced traffic congestion, affordable mobility, improved quality of life, reduced auto dependency, conservation of fossil fuels, increased economic vitality, increased community connections, and last, but not least: bikes are fun!
