The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking public input into the development of a new statewide plan for bicycle and pedestrian transportation at six public input meetings and online. One of the meetings will be held in Atlantic. The Iowa DOT says it is committed to expanding opportunities and further improving conditions for bicycling and walking across the state. Officials say the new Bicycle and Pedestrian Long-Range Plan is a major step forward for the effort.

The plan will build upon the Iowa DOT’s long-range strategy for multimodal transportation over the next three decades, Iowa in Motion – Planning Ahead 2040. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Long-Range Plan has three key objectives: • Align with national best practices, including the federal transportation funding bill called Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) and national guidelines for trail development. • Develop a list of priorities to expand the trails system between and within cities. Help state and local agencies to put the plan in place by providing tools for funding and design.

Upon its completion, the plan will serve as the primary guide for statewide decision-making regarding bicycle and pedestrian programs and facilities, including sidewalks, trails, bike lanes, paved shoulders, and other trail elements. It will also help achieve a better level of statewide coordination and continuity for all levels of bicycle and pedestrian mobility through regional, county, and city plans and programs.

In addition, the plan will serve an important role in improving safety for all road users, reducing crashes, and bringing Iowa closer to achieving the goal of zero fatalities on Iowa’s roadways. A primary goal of the project is to engage citizens during the development of the plan. If you would like to be involved, plan to attend one of the initial public meetings. In southwest Iowa, a meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 25th, from 5 to 7 p.m.  at the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 Office 2210 E. Seventh St., in  Atlantic.