Bike and Pedestrian Master Program

The City of Spokane Valley has the essential elements for biking and walking, considering most streets connect, congestion is minimal, the terrain is flat, and weather is suitable many months of the year.  For these reasons, biking and walking is a great way to get around the City.  To capitalize on these assets, the City of Spokane Valley has developed a Bike and Pedestrian Master Program (BPMP). 

The BPMP will guide planning, development and management of existing and future bicycle, pedestrian, and multi-modal connections within the City. The BPMP is included as an element of the Spokane Valley Comprehensive Plan expanding on the Transportation Element to focus on non-motorized transportation.  This element is consistent with the overall Comprehensive Plan, specifically the Land Use, Transportation, Parks and Recreation and Neighborhood Elements.

As an element of the City of Spokane Valley’s Comprehensive Plan, this chapter is organized to present background data concerning bike and pedestrian facilities (Section 11.1), applicable federal, state and local codes relating to the topic (section 11.2), and a set of goals and objectives (section 11.3). Section 11.4, contains city-wide bike and pedestrian facility improvements, potential education, enforcement and evaluation tools. As a policy document, this chapter will guide decisions regarding multi-modal transportation facilities. As an implementation tool, it will detail priorities and standards for development.

Comprehensive Plan	Appendices	Maps
Chapter 11 - Bike and Pedestrian Element	Appendix 1 - Prioritization Criteria & Network Improvements	Map 11.1 -Existing Bike Facilities
	Appendix 2 - Facility Design Guidelines	Map 11.2 - Recommended Bikeway Network
	Appendix 3 - Funding Source Ideas	Map 11.3 - Existing Sidewalk Network
		Map 11.4 - Recommended Pedestrian Network
		Map 11.5 - Safe Routes to Schools

Safe Routes To School (SRTS)

Another key component of the BPMP is to establish partnerships with other agencies in an effort to combine resources and accomplish similar goals.  The City recognized that the Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) and their efforts in promoting healthier lifestyles was a natural partnership.  This initial partnership with the SRHD developed into many partnerships including West Valley School District, Central Valley School District, East Valley School District, Washington State University, and Bicycle Alliance of Washington.  With the established partners the City is working to conduct walking audits for Valley schools.  The outcome of this collaborative effort will be a comprehensive sidewalk inventory identifying ADA facilities, social hazards, crosswalks, dangerous intersections, and other pertinent data that will be used to prioritize pedestrian improvements in an effort to increase safe routes to school within our City.  The City intends to build off the partnerships established with the development of the BPMP to ensure regional collaboration on future bike and pedestrian efforts.   
Click here to view the walking audit maps

Community Outreach

On June 16, 2010, at City Hall, the City held the first in a series of workshops for the Bike and Pedestrian Master Program.  At the workshop, a diverse group voiced their opinions and concerns on bicycling and walking.  City staff performed an interactive exercise with the participants to identify destinations, obstacles, and preferred routes for these alternative modes of travel.
Click here to view the results of W.S. No. 1

On September 19, 2010, the City held another community workshop, where staff presented a preliminary layout of connections for bike and pedestrian facilities based on the information gathered at the first workshop.  At the second workshop, staff received confirmation on the preliminary map identifying potential bike and pedestrian facilities.  In addition, staff asked the community to help prioritize the potential bike and pedestrian facilities to ensure the improvements are in line with the community's vision for implementation.  In addition, Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) provided a presentation on public health and active transportation.
Click here to view the presentation

On October 19, 2010, Mike Basinger, Project Manager, for the BPMP was interviewed by Steve Mumm for Comcast Newsmakers, a professionally produced four and-a-half minute interview segment that is seen at 54 minutes after the hour several times a day on CNN Headline News.  Comcast Newsmakers has the potential to reach audiences of more than 100,000 households in the Inland Northwest.
Click here to view the interview

Bike and Pedestrian Master Program Survey

The City of Spokane Valley conducted a non-statistical survey, designed to gather helpful information to determine general goals and desires.  The survey helped identify possible future improvements for riding bikes and walking in our neighborhoods.  Results will be shared at a community workshop tentatively scheduled for August or September.
Click here to view the survey results

Contacts

Mike Basinger, AICP, Senior Planner
(509) 720-5331 voice
(509) 921-1008 fax
mbasinger@spokanevalley.org