A pedestrian and bike plan for the city will start the next leg of its journey Thursday when it goes before the Jefferson City Planning and Zoning Commission.
If approved by the commission, the plan to improve safety, connectivity, and mobility for bikers and walkers would be sent to the City Council.
The plan by the Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), which includes Jefferson City and many other Mid-Missouri municipalities, was approved in October by the CAMPO board of directors after 18 months of development. The Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Committee approved the plan in February.
A team of professional urban planners, working inside the Jefferson City Department of Planning and Protective Services at City Hall, hosted several committee meetings, booths at festivals, training events, two online surveys and three open houses. More than 300 people attended one or more of the public events.
There are several areas the plan looks to address in Jefferson City:
- Improve sidewalk connectivity updating the city's sidewalk plan with the goal to improve access to schools, residential areas and local businesses.
- Review policies and ordinances to include language about making streets, roads, and sidewalks safe and accessible.
- Developed signed bike lanes and routes.
- Improve trail connectivity.
- Improve pedestrian and bike safety measures.
- Improve tourism and support economic development.
St. Martins has approved a plan for its community, and Holts Summit also has a plan in place.
The final plan, though, will be used to make recommendations for all communities within CAMPO, each of which has some type of goal for pedestrian paths. However, the CAMPO plan will be more overarching, seeking to provide guidance for all communities within the organization.
Another aspect of the plan is education and encouraging people to walk and ride bicycles more. On that side of the plan, officials said CAMPO may try to get involved with school districts and other local jurisdictions to come up with the best ways to educate people on how to be safe while walking or riding.
City officials also noted having these policies and designations in place would enhance Central Missouri's eligibility for federal funds for various projects.
The efforts by Jefferson City to be more bicycle friendly have already been noticed. Last week, it was announced the city was recognized by the League of American Bicyclist as a Bicycle Friendly Business, receiving a bronze award. The city is one of 1,315 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies in 49 states and Washington, D.C., to be recognized with this award.