Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan
This page has been archived and will no longer be updated. To learn about the Alexandria Mobility Plan (AMP), a strategic update to the 2008 Transportation Master Plan, visit alexandriava.gov/MobilityPlan. AMP that will ensure that transportation in the city continues to serve the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors as the region grows and new technology adds to the ways we get around.
Plan approved by Alexandria Council - April 16, 2016
The Draft Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan was presented to the Alexandria City Council at its public hearing on Saturday, April 16, 2016, and the Council approved an amendment (including changes to strategies recommended by the Transportation Commission - see below) to the City's Transportation Master Plan, to replace the Pedestrian and Bicycle sections with the new Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan. On April 5, 2016, the Planning Commission approved an amendment to the City's Master Plan including recommendations by the Transportation Commission. On March 16, 2016, the Transportation Commission endorsed the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (See Endorsement letter from the Transportation Commission) with some additional recommendations to strategies.
Online Interactive Wikimap and Survey
Interactive Crowdsourcing Map - This interactive wikimap, available in both English and Spanish, was posted on the project webpage between August and October 2014, and allowed participants to provide input to the City about walking and bicycling routes and concerns, by adding comments, points, line and photos. Results of the mapping tool will be used to inform project recommendations. Results of the input to the Wikimap can be found here.
Survey - This online survey, available in both English and Spanish, was posted on the project webpage between August and October 2014 to help the project team develop recommendations for how the City can improve the environment for walking and biking. Results of the survey can be found here.
Background Information
The City's 2008 Transportation Master Plan envisions a transportation system that encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, reduces dependence on the automobile, and promotes a balance between travel efficiency and quality of life. The City's Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility Plan, also completed in 2008, was a supporting technical document to the Transportation Master Plan that provides additional planning guidance for pedestrian and bicycle projects. Since then, the City has adopted a Complete Streets Policy leading to the implementation of a number of pedestrian and bicycle improvement projects, and initiated the Capital Bikeshare program, both of which continue to expand citywide.
In 2014, the City began the process to update the Pedestrian and Bicycle chapters of the Transportation Master Plan to reflect changes that have occurred since 2008, including the Complete Streets policy, Capital Bikeshare program, and a move toward implementing on-street bicycle facilities. The updated chapters to the Transportation Master Plan were approved by a Council amendment in April 2016. In addition, the City has developed an accompanying Complete Streets Design Guidelines Manual (See section below).
Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Update (Final)
The update of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan includes an evaluation of existing conditions, issues, constraints and needs, as well as a review of existing policies, goals and objectives. A bicycle network and pedestrian case study areas have been developed to identify priority, and longer term projects, future bikeshare station locations, and actions and strategies to implement the plan. The update is reflected in a new Pedestrian and Bicycle chapter in the City's Transportation Master Plan, and includes a separate technical appendix. Both the chapter update and technical appendices serve as an update (supersede) to both the 2008 Transportation Master Plan Pedestrian and Bicycle chapters, and the 2008 Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility Plan.
The Pedestrian and bicycle chapter of the Transportation Master Plan (final - dated April 2016), and accompanying appendices addresses comments received through AlexEngage and other comments on the first draft (dated January 2016), as well as comments addressed by the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on February 25, 2016, the Transportation Commission on March 16, 2016, and approved by the Planning Commission on April 5 and City Council on April 16, 2016. The Final Pedestrian and Bicycle chapter and accompanying appendices are below:
- Transportation Master Plan - Pedestrian and Bicycle Chapter (Final)
- Bicycle Network
- Appendix A - Civic Engagement Plan
- Appendix B - Civic Engagement Summary
- Appendix C - Progress Report
- Appendix D - Case Study Area Summaries
- Appendix E - Matrix of Funding Sources
- Appendix F - Methodology
- Appendix G - Project Prioritization Results
Biennial Progress Reports:
Complete Streets Design Guidelines
A separate Complete Streets Design Guidelines Manual was developed in conjunction with this process to provide guidance to staff, developers and citizens on design tools and methodologies for ensuring City roads address all users. The new standards provide guidance on Complete Streets design throughout the City. The manual provides the tools and information needed to engage in constructive conversations about balancing the mobility needs of all users in Alexandria.
Civic Engagement
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Update planning process followed the framework and strategies outlined in the What's Next Alexandria Civic Engagement Handbook. A civic engagement plan was developed as part of the overall planning process. Larger community meetings will complement the Advisory Committee work, focusing on issue identification, visioning, and design guidelines. Online engagement played an integral role in updating the public on the progression of the planning process, providing a platform for polling, comments, and feedback on specific questions. The planning process utilized an Ad Hoc Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Advisory Committee to provide guidance on the project, including the identification of issues, constraints and needs, development of the networks, and projects.
Schedule
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Update and development of the Complete Streets Design Guidelines Manual planning process began in May 2014, and was completed in April 2016. The project schedule can be seen here.
Meetings
Ad Hoc Advisory Group Meeting #10 - February 25, 2016
Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Meeting #9 - January 19, 2016
Planning Commission Work Session (Oral Report) - October 6, 2015
Public Meeting #2 - September 24, 2015
- Agenda
- Presentation Note: The presentation includes polling results during the meeting. The results are based on approximately 40 participants, and are not a statistical sample of the community.
- Audio
- Video
- Meeting Summary
Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Meeting #8 - August 12, 2015
Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Meeting #7 - June 8, 2015
- Agenda
- Presentation
- Audio
- Video
- Draft Pedestrian Engineering Strategies
- Draft Pedestrian Case Study Areas
- Meeting Summary (Final)
Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Meeting #6 - May 14, 2015
Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Meeting #5 - April 16, 2015
Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Meeting #4 - February 4, 2015
- Agenda
- Audio
- Video
- Presentation
- Revised Pedestrian and Bicycle Vision, Goals and Objectives (Draft)
- Responses to Comments of Pedestrian Vision, Goals and Objectives
- Responses to Comments of Bicycle Vision, Goals and Objectives
- Progress Report / Existing Conditions
- Meeting Summary (Final)
Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Meeting #3 - December 3, 2014
- Agenda
- Audio
- Video
- Presentation
- Draft Pedestrian and Bicycle Vision, Goals and Objectives
- Meeting Summary (Final)
Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Meeting #2 - October 9, 2014
Public Meeting #1 - September 30, 2014
Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Meeting #1 - June 25, 2014
Ad Hoc Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Advisory Committee
The City Manager recently appointed fourteen members to the Advisory Committee approved by Council on April 8, 2014 and amended on June 24, 2014. The Committee will provide recommendations during the update of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and Complete Streets Design Guidelines Manual planning process, specifically focusing on issues and needs, policy guidance, input on the pedestrian and bicycle networks, and input on project recommendations and priorities.
AD HOC PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE MASTER PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
- Jennifer Hovis, Committee Chair, Community Representative
- Carol Abrams, Community Representative
- Casey Kane, Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Representative
- Steve Beggs, Parks and Recreation Commission
- Dave Brown, Planning Commission
- Mollie Danforth, Commission on Persons with Disabilities
- John Fennell, Design Professional Representative
- Linda Couture, Community Representative
- Alan Dinsmore, Commission on Aging
- Skip Maginniss, Business Representative
- Christine Michaelis, Transportation Commission designee
- William Schuyler, Traffic and Parking Board
- Pablo Torres, Community Representative
- Timothy Hanson, Community Representative
ADVISORY COMMITTEE PACKET
Reference Materials
- Transportation Master Plan
- Complete Streets Program
- Capital Bikeshare Program
- GO Alex
- Walking and Biking in Alexandria
- Bicycle Laws in Virginia
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (2016)
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility Plan (2008)
Contact
For further information, please contact Christopher Ziemann at 703.746.4017.