RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Tamara Neale 804-786-6458

CO-0414 March 18, 2004

TRANSPORTATION BOARD APPROVES NEW POLICY FOR VDOT TO IMPROVE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS

RICHMOND - The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approved today a new policy aimed at providing bicyclists and pedestrians greater access to safe transportation on roadways across the state.

“Walking and biking are important modes of transportation. In order to ensure greater efficiency in our transportation network, these modes must be considered and planned in coordination with other transportation improvements,” said Transportation Secretary Whitt Clement. “The CTB policy adopted today is intended to ensure that accommodation for these modes is incorporated in the decision-making process for Virginia’s transportation network.”

Clement added, “At Governor Warner’s direction, we are taking a broader view of Virginia’s transportation network and in doing so, we will further enhance the quality of life throughout the Commonwealth.”

VDOT partnered with citizen and local government groups to develop the new policy. Highlights from the policy include:

·A framework through which VDOT will accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians, including pedestrians with disabilities, along with motorized transportation modes in the planning, funding, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of Virginia’s transportation network to achieve a safe, effective, and balanced multimodal transportation system.

·Sidewalks, bike lanes, shared-use paths or other accommodations will be considered in the design of all new highway and major reconstruction projects, depending on safety issues and the need.

Improving access for bicyclists and pedestrians is part of the Warner administration’s efforts to better incorporate and integrate all modes of transportation into planning and project development.

For more information on the Internet:

Policy for Integrating Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations


VTrans2025
Virginia’s statewide multimodal long-range transportation plan. The state’s transportation agencies are developing a policy framework and plan that incorporate air, rail, mass transit, port, and highway assets into one comprehensive transportation plan. Visit VTrans.

Bicycling in Virginia