Olympia Draft Transportation Plan Zeroes in on Complete Streets, Bike Infrastructure

The draft transportation section of Olympia, Washington’s proposed master plan update focuses on a Complete Streets approach that acknowledges the need to prioritize road safety for all types of road users.

Kameko Marquez explains the proposed changes in the Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater, noting that “The TMP also introduces a comprehensive ‘low-stress bike network,’ incorporating separated bike lanes on major roads and bike-friendly routes through quieter residential neighborhoods.” The plan calls for ensuring that all residents are within a quarter-mile of a designated bike route. In a meeting to discuss the plan, Olympia Planning Commissioners expressed support for additional bike infrastructure such as on-street bike corrals and e-bike charging stations.

Under the city’s Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDS), street projects are required to include sidewalks on both sides, as well as bike lanes on major roads. “Since 2023, the EDS standards have mandated that all new bike lanes must be either buffered or separated from vehicle traffic, a requirement that applies to both city-led and private development projects.” 

The draft plan calls for using traffic modeling to reduce traffic lanes where appropriate. Senior Planner Michelle Swanson explained that “recent traffic models suggest lane reductions can be effective when paired with enhanced bike lanes, allowing traffic flow to be maintained.”