On May 20, The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) released the state’s first statewide bike and pedestrian plan. Walk.Bike.Ohio as the plan is known, is the result of a multi-year, collaborative process that included representatives from local governments, planning agencies, advocates (including Greater Ohio Policy Center), and input from the public to document existing conditions and develop recommendations to make walking and biking in Ohio a safe, convenient and accessible transportation option for everyone.
Walk.Bike.Ohio seeks to provide a roadmap for overcoming challenges and capitalizing on opportunities as the state moves towards creating more walkable and bikeable communities. It documents the current performance of Ohio’s transportation system with respect to active modes of transportation (walking and bicycling) and outlines goal areas that set the stage for increased collaboration between ODOT and its partners. For the first time, the plan defines short-term activities (strategies and actions items) that ODOT will provide resources and leadership in advancing, impacting transportation policies, investments, infrastructure and programs for years to come.
Why is an active transportation plan so important? Nearly one out of every 10 households in the state does not have access to a motor vehicle, meaning walking and biking options are necessary. Connected active transportation networks can also play a role in improving Ohio’s ranking of 40th in the United States for overall health outcomes and 47th for health behaviors, which include obesity and physical inactivity. An active transportation plan will also help to address issues to public safety. Bicyclists and pedestrians make up 14% of all roadway fatalities in Ohio. A number of Ohio cities have already committed to “Vision Zero,” a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all.
Walk.Bike.Ohio moves Ohio in the same direction of working towards a vision of zero traffic fatalities.
The Walk.Bike.Ohio plan introduces a framework for advancing active transportation by documenting existing conditions, identifying roles and responsibilities of various partners, and outlining critical actions for ODOT to focus on over the next five years. The organizing framework for the Walk.Bike.Ohio action plan can be seen in the pyramid below.
Image Courtesy of Walk.Bike.Ohio (ODOT)
Vision Statement: Walking and biking in Ohio will be safe, convenient and accessible transportation option for everyone.
Goals: In order to achieve this vision for Ohio’s future, the state will focus on the following strategic goal areas.
Equitable: Ensure the system accommodates users of all ages, abilities and incomes. Provide opportunities for all Ohioans in urban, suburban and rural areas to have access to connected walkways and bikeways.
Network Utilization: Increase walking and biking usage. Work to increase active transportation for all ages and abilities.
Network Connectivity: Promote comfortable and continuous bicycle and pedestrian facilities that connect people to destinations. Expand the active transportation network to include connected, separated and accessible walkways and bikeways.
Safety: Reduce bicyclist/pedestrian injuries and fatalities. Work actively and collaboratively with federal, state, regional, local and private partners to make Ohio safer for people who walk and bike.
Livability: Improve the quality of life for all Ohioans. Provide active living environments with safe, connected, accessible facilities along with programs that influence public health and the environment by encouraging walking and bicycling.
Preservation: Ensure critical existing infrastructure is in a state of good repair. Maintain existing active transportation facilities through collaboration between state and local partners to ensure safe, accessible walkways and bikeways.
From these goals, Themes, or programmatic groupings related to attainment of the goals were developed, along with strategies for implementation of the themes are organized. The table below highlights the different WBO themes, associated strategies and how they relate to the plan’s goal areas.
Walk.Bike.Ohio Themes & Strategies with Accompanying Goals (Image Courtesy of ODOT).
Completion of the plan does not mean that the work is done however. Both ODOT and local partners will need to continue to work together to see that the plan is fully implemented and executed. ODOT will be maintaining an advisory committee to ensure that this work is happening at the state level, and GOPC hopes to play an active role in it’s capacity as long-time advocates of active transportation/complete streets policies.