The City of Bellingham is seeking public input on draft recommendations to update the City’s Bicycle Master Plan. An Engage Bellingham page dedicated to accepting feedback is available until early January and virtual Open Houses are scheduled for December 13 and 14 to discuss the draft plan and answer questions.
This is the second round of engagement on the Bicycle Master Plan update. Earlier this year the City engaged with the community to learn what projects and policy priorities were most important to Bellingham residents. This feedback built the foundation of the draft Bicycle Master Plan update.
The updated plan will build on the progress the City has made with the bicycle network over the past ten years. To date the City has completed over 120 projects from the 2014 plan, including linking up critical pieces of the biking network and increasing bicycle crossing safety. As Bellingham has grown and changed, the plan for our bicycle network must evolve as well. Public engagement is central to the Bicycle Master Plan update and will inform how we build out a bicycle network for people of all ages and abilities and promote a bicycling culture in Bellingham.
“Bellingham has a strong and vibrant sense of community and places great value on safety, reducing impacts on climate and focusing on people. Connections and infrastructure for people walking and riding bicycles helps those values be realized,” said Public Works Director Eric Johnston. “This next step in community engagement on the Bicycle Master Plan is an essential part of ensuring that the right connections are made. Feedback on the draft plan will inform and support the next ten years of bicycle infrastructure projects.”
All community members, including those who live, work and/or frequently visit Bellingham, are invited to provide input on the draft plan updates. Public engagement opportunities include:
- Online open houses on Wednesday, December 13 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, December 14 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. The open house will be recorded and posted on the Engage Bellingham project page.
- Engage Bellingham Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Updates project page, with a story map to preview the draft Bicycle Master Plan project, network, program and action recommendations and provide feedback.
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plans are both being updated. Following this second round of public engagement, the Bicycle Master Plan and Pedestrian Master Plan final updates will be drafted for consideration and adoption by City Council. Please visit the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Updates project page to learn more about the project and sign up for project emails.
