This week, our #GOPCThread is taking a look at the new Walk.Bike.Ohio statewide active transportation plan, the first in the state’s history that is focused entirely on establishing and promoting human-powered transportation options such as walking and cycling. (Full disclosure: GOPC was an active members of the Walk.Bike.Ohio advisory committee which helped to develop the plan).
Not on Twitter, the thread is available online, as well as below.
Greater Ohio Policy Center Read on Twitter
This weeks #GOPCThread is devoted to taking a closer look at the recently released #WalkBikeOhio statewide active transportation plan.
Walk.Bike.Ohio | Ohio Department of Transportation (click image for link)
#WalkBikeOhio is the result of a multi-year, collaborative process that included reps from local govs, planning agencies, advocates & the public to document existing conditions & develop recs to make walking & biking in OH safe, convenient & accessible transp options for all
#WalkBikeOhio provides a roadmap for overcoming challenges & capitalizing on opportunities as the state moves towards creating more walkable & bikeable communities #GOPCThread
#WalkBikeOhio documents the current performance of OH’s transportation system with respect to active modes of transportation (walking & bicycling) + outlines goal areas that set the stage for increased collaboration between @ODOT_Statewide & its partners #GOPCThread
For the first time, the plan defines short-term activities (strategies & actions items) that @ODOT_Statewide will provide resources & leadership in advancing, impacting transportation policies, investments, infrastructure & programs for years to come #WalkBikeOhio #GOPCThread
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 & biking options are necessary #WalkBikeOhio #GOPCThread
Connected active transportation networks can also play a role in improving Ohio’s ranking of 40th in the United States for overall health outcomes & 47th for health behaviors, which include obesity and physical inactivity #WalkBikeOhio #GOPCThread
An active transportation plan will also help to address issues of public safety. Cyclists & pedestrians make up 14% of all roadway fatalities in Ohio. A number of OH cities have already committed to “Vision Zero,” a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities & severe injuries…
Vision Zero Network (click image for link)
…while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. #WalkBikeOhio moves the state in the same direction of working towards a vision of zero traffic fatalities #GOPCThread
The organizing framework for the #WalkBikeOhio action plan can be seen in the pyramid below #GOPCThread
The Vision Statement for #WalkBikeOhio: Walking & biking in Ohio will be safe, convenient & accessible transportation option for everyone. #GOPCThread
In order to achieve this vision for Ohio’s future, the state will focus on the following strategic goal areas including ensuring the system accommodates users of all ages, abilities & incomes; provide opportunities for all Ohioans in urban, suburban & rural areas to have access to connected walkways and bikeways while increasing walking & biking usage by increasing active transportation options for all ages & abilities. #WalkBikeOhio #GOPCThread
The plan also seeks to promote comfortable & continuous bicycle & pedestrian facilities that connect people to destinations by expanding the active transportation network to include connected, separated & accessible walkways and bikeways #WalkBikeOhio #GOPCThread
The plan also intends to improve safety by reducing bicyclist/pedestrian injuries & fatalities by working actively & collaboratively with federal, state, regional, local & private partners to make Ohio safer for people who walk & bike #WalkBikeOhio #GOPCThread
Overall, the plan seeks by make OH more livable by improving the quality of life for all Ohioans by providing active living environments with safe, connected, accessible facilities along with programs that influence public health & the environment by encouraging walking & biking
Preservation is a critical part of #WalkBikeOhio. Ensuring existing infrastructure is in a state of good repair through collaboration between state & local partners to ensure safe, accessible walkways & bikeways is a key goal of the plan #GOPCThread
From these goals, themes, or programmatic groupings related to attainment of the goals, were developed, along with strategies for implementation of the themes. This table highlights the different #WalkBikeOhio themes, associated strategies & how they relate to the plan’s goals
Completion of the plan does not mean that the work is done however. Both @ODOT_Statewide & local partners will need to continue to work together to see that the plan is fully implemented & executed. ODOT will be maintaining an advisory panel to ensure that this work happens
GOPC is excited to have played a role in developing #WalkBikeOhio & looks forward to playing an active role in our capacity as long-time advocates of active transportation/complete streets policies through this advisory panel. The full report can be found here #GOPCThread