Bike Lanes and Walking Paths
During your travels throughout the Sacramento region, you may have noticed that new pedestrian bridges and designated bike lanes are being constructed in several locations. Soon, our area will have even more options for safe biking and walking, thanks to a new action plan recently enacted by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
Caltrans Action Plan – Safety is the Goal
Earlier this month, Caltrans adopted a high-priority plan to improve and increase access to bicycling, walking, and public transit throughout the state. The goal of the expansion program is to reduce Californians’ dependence on motor vehicles and promote safety for those who use alternative forms of transportation. Furthermore, the plan emphasizes social equality because it reconnects communities currently divided by highways and other high-speed roadways.
Caltrans indicates the safety of Californians is a priority for all future projects, including those who walk and bike. The July action plan is crucial in the department’s effort to construct and enhance a transportation system for all. The plans will also serve to make communities more vibrant and livable.
Reduce Pedestrian Fatalities
The Caltrans action plan was developed in coordination with the California Walk/Bike Technical Advisory Committee to increase pedestrian, bicycling, and transit options throughout the state. One of the key efforts will be to identify pedestrian and bicyclist-focused needs at a community level within each California region. The plan includes additional walking paths and bicycle lanes. These added walk/bike options are critical safety components to reduce fatalities on California roads. Pedestrian deaths have been increasing throughout California in recent years, and the action plan is a step toward reducing that grim statistic.
Coordinating the Action Plan
The State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) is the “fix it first” program within Caltrans, approved earlier this year, aimed at preserving and improving transportation infrastructure to include all users within the state. SHOPP includes a significant commitment to funding for integrating pedestrian and bicycling improvements throughout the state’s highway system. Of the almost 900 SHOPP projects, over 40 percent include pedestrian/bicycle investments, and an additional $100 million is expressly allocated to expand pedestrian and bicycle access.
Caltrans Wants to Hear From the Public
Public engagement has been identified as a crucial element of the Caltrans action plan’s projects, including the allotment of SHOPP funding. The department has already begun talks with local stakeholders to collaborate on identifying bicycling and pedestrian improvements to more than twenty current projects. Future projects will be determined with the assistance of community outreach. This collaboration effort is aided by Caltrans’ development of training, tools, and guidance for every district to spearhead its activities to enlist public engagement.
Caltrans is encouraging the public and local stakeholders to contribute to improving walking paths and bike lanes within their regions. Additional details can be found at catplan.org.
Caltrans has stated for years that it is an agency concerned with more than just motor vehicle transportation. Here is a 2017 YouTube video from Caltrans highlighting May as Bike Month.
Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Sacramento, California. My law firm has successfully handled many pedestrian and bicycle accident cases. We hope that this new action plan from Caltrans will greatly reduce the frequency of such accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver while walking or biking, we can offer free, friendly, and compassionate advice. We can be reached at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. If you prefer, we can also reach out to you after you complete our online form.
A sample of our previous case results and reviews from some of our past clients can be viewed at the sites linked below:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/cycle-path-cycling-bike-3881171/
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