The Oregon Department of Transportation is showing leadership among state transportation agencies by adopting a new pedestrian and bicycle plan. With a first draft on the street, the early reviews are coming in.
"The Oregon Department of Transportation has released a draft of their new Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan," reports Jonathan Maus, who provides a first look at the vision put forward by the document.
Here's how Maus sets the stage for the policy discussion:
"This plan is the result of two and-a-half years of meetings and outreach and it’s the first time ODOT has updated its biking and walking plan since 1995 (an update to their design guide in 2011 notwithstanding). It’s a crucial document because the policies and strategies in this plan will set the framework for what ODOT decides to build going forward."
Maus makes it clear that Bike Portland will be taking a closer look at the document in the coming weeks, but for now he describes the draft as a "solid start" in need of "some strenthening [sic] in order to make a real impact." The post includes more specifics about which sections of the plan do well and which need the prescribed strengthening. A few key excerpts and reactions to the draft are also shared.
FULL STORY: First look at ODOT’s draft of a new biking and walking plan

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