Locating developments near bike infrastructure which encourages residents, employees, or visitors to choose biking over private vehicles.
Developments located near bike infrastructure can encourage residents, employees, or visitors to choose biking over private vehicles. The impact of VMT will vary based on the coverage of the bicycle network and the distance to key destinations or high quality transit. While there are no direct quantification tools for estimating the impact there are various GIS accessibility methods and direct demand methods that can be used to quantify this strategy. Most of these methods require detailed count or travel survey data and may not be as efficient as using other linked strategies to quantify potential reductions.
Locating projects near bike infrastructure in low-income areas helps increase mobility options for residents without cars. Equity considerations should include providing safe and connected bike facilities in areas that historically lacked them, and ensuring maintenance and lighting to support safe travel.
Development projects can incorporate bicycle connections through private project funding and required frontage or site improvements. Local jurisdictions can also combine bicycle access improvements with Statewide Active Transportation Program, Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning, Safe Routes to School, federal Transportation Alternatives, and other bicycle and pedestrian funding sources. Coordinating bicycle improvements with development projects can reduce the cost of completing network gaps and improve access to existing bicycle facilities.
The Crows Landing Road Corridor Study identified opportunities to improve bicycle and pedestrian mobility along an economically active corridor where basic infrastructure was lacking. The study specifically evaluated ways to improve multimodal access, safety, and connectivity while supporting infill development.
StanCOG Regional Active Transportation Planning
StanCOG’s Regional Active Transportation Plan coordinates bicycle and pedestrian investments across Stanislaus County and provides a framework for connecting local bicycle facilities between jurisdictions. The regional approach supports locating new development and transportation investments where they can connect to existing active transportation networks.
