Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Updates

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Two cyclist in green bike lane as they approach road intersection with red car waiting.

Getting where we need to go is one of the most important parts of our lives. Whether it's getting to work, school, doctor’s appointments, or recreating, running errands, or for emergencies - we depend on safe and reliable transportation options to move from place to place. Pedestrian and bicycle networks provide options to commute safely and efficiently via biking or walking; the City identifies and prioritizes improvements to these networks through the Pedestrian Master Plan and the Bicycle Master Plan.

Current engagement opportunities

Click here to provide input for the Bicycle Master Plan updateNEW - Bicycle Master Plan:

Share your ideas on how to improve the bicycle network on the interactive web map and take the survey to help identify community priorities and barriers to biking on the Bicycle Discovery Phase sub-page by May 31, 2023.

Pedestrian Master Plan:

Draft plan recommendations are presented in this story map. You can also watch a recording of the December 1, 2022 Open House (video with American Sign Language). If you have comments or questions about the draft plan recommendations, please submit them in the comment section below or email pedbikeplans@cob.org.

Why update the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plans?

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plans are each city-wide plans that identify future projects to create a more walkable and ridable community. The Pedestrian Master Plan was adopted in 2012 and the Bicycle Master Plan in 2014. Since they were adopted, many projects identified in these master plans have been completed while the city has grown and the needs of the community have changed. The updates will continue the work to advance safe, connected walking and biking networks and supportive programs that encourage active transportation in Bellingham.

  • The Pedestrian Master Plan Update will focus on integrating the ADA Transition Plan and further refining the project list, priorities and design toolbox to better reflect the City’s available resources and needs.
  • The Bicycle Master Plan Update will focus on completing bike network connections, evaluating options for more challenging connections and developing a prioritized list of projects.

Both plans will identify and prioritize needs in Bellingham’s Urban Growth Areas and consider the network value and feasibility of integrating unimproved rights-of-way. Public engagement is an integral part of both plan updates and will be used to inform projects, programs and priorities for further building out Bellingham’s pedestrian and bicycle networks for people of all ages and abilities to safely and conveniently walk, bike and roll.

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Getting where we need to go is one of the most important parts of our lives. Whether it's getting to work, school, doctor’s appointments, or recreating, running errands, or for emergencies - we depend on safe and reliable transportation options to move from place to place. Pedestrian and bicycle networks provide options to commute safely and efficiently via biking or walking; the City identifies and prioritizes improvements to these networks through the Pedestrian Master Plan and the Bicycle Master Plan.

Current engagement opportunities

Click here to provide input for the Bicycle Master Plan updateNEW - Bicycle Master Plan:

Share your ideas on how to improve the bicycle network on the interactive web map and take the survey to help identify community priorities and barriers to biking on the Bicycle Discovery Phase sub-page by May 31, 2023.

Pedestrian Master Plan:

Draft plan recommendations are presented in this story map. You can also watch a recording of the December 1, 2022 Open House (video with American Sign Language). If you have comments or questions about the draft plan recommendations, please submit them in the comment section below or email pedbikeplans@cob.org.

Why update the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plans?

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plans are each city-wide plans that identify future projects to create a more walkable and ridable community. The Pedestrian Master Plan was adopted in 2012 and the Bicycle Master Plan in 2014. Since they were adopted, many projects identified in these master plans have been completed while the city has grown and the needs of the community have changed. The updates will continue the work to advance safe, connected walking and biking networks and supportive programs that encourage active transportation in Bellingham.

  • The Pedestrian Master Plan Update will focus on integrating the ADA Transition Plan and further refining the project list, priorities and design toolbox to better reflect the City’s available resources and needs.
  • The Bicycle Master Plan Update will focus on completing bike network connections, evaluating options for more challenging connections and developing a prioritized list of projects.

Both plans will identify and prioritize needs in Bellingham’s Urban Growth Areas and consider the network value and feasibility of integrating unimproved rights-of-way. Public engagement is an integral part of both plan updates and will be used to inform projects, programs and priorities for further building out Bellingham’s pedestrian and bicycle networks for people of all ages and abilities to safely and conveniently walk, bike and roll.

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Stay in the know! Sign up to receive project notifications on progress and upcoming public engagement opportunities and events.

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  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Why? How about work on our roads, the only input you are getting is from the 3% of Bellingham population that uses bike trails. Stupidest waste of money. Bike trails in a city where it rains over half the year and the terrain is not flat.

    Roscoe asked 6 months ago

    The voter-approved Transportation Fund funds non-motorized improvements in Bellingham, including bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and improved street crossings.

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    Hi, when were traffic studies last conducted to classify street traffic levels? Some of the classifications seem very out of date given recent population/traffic increases.

    radical4peace asked 5 months ago

    Traffic studies are conducted roughly every 4 years, the latest was conducted in 2018. You can see the reports of traffic studies going back to 1960 on the traffic maps web page. Additionally, traffic counts are conducted for grant applications and obtained from consultants who are designing private development projects. Street classification is based on more than traffic studies. To adjust a street classification, first the Whatcom Council of Governments must approve reclassification and and then pass along the requested change to Washington Department of Transportation and the Federal Highways Administration for review.

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    Can the light at the intersection of Ellis and sunset(heading from Ellis toward the hospital) be triggered by cyclists. There are many cyclists that ride to work at the hospital, and we’re often riding thru the red light, which is a blind corner as traffic approaches from the left (up sunset) I’d rather not end up a patient in my place of work.

    Sarmar16 asked 5 months ago

    Thank you for your comment. We will add that intersection as a place the community would like to see improved for bicycles.

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    If I could have one wish. A tunnel! (or I suppose a bridge would be fine too) connecting Consolidation Ave. with Consolidation Ave. Over or under I-5. If I could have two wishes, the same connecting Donovan Ave to Donovan Ave. If you build two tunnels, you might as well build three. Potter St. to Potter St. I-5 is a HUGE barrier to bikes, and the main hinderance to bike commuting in Bellingham in my experience. It is very difficult crossing I-5. Even if you are a skilled and confident Biker, it is no fun crossing Unrelated but on my wish list. Bike maps. CoB produces the Parks, trails, and Natural Area map. Massive hit with tourists and locals. A version specific for bikers would be well received.

    Jake L. asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for your comment. A bike map does exist and your comment has brought to our attention the need for updating this map and better distribution.

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    We need to go back to having no parking on Monroe Street in the Columbia neighborhood and allow for a green bike lane. It has become an increasingly congested and hazardous main street through the middle of the neighborhood as traffic increases as well as cyclists and pedestrians.

    Cherry!1 asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for your comment. If you have not done so already, we suggest you add to the Bicycle Master Plan Update webmap your idea for adding bike lanes to Monroe Street.

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    Can we not only add more bike lanes but look at more options for pedestrians? Such as putting all the sidewalks on State Street to Fairhaven all the way. It is a beautiful walk make it safer please.

    Walker CJ asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for your comment. Over the past year we have had two rounds of public engagement, gathering public input on how to improve Pedestrian facilities. You can view draft project recommendations on this story map. 

    The South Bay Trail is a complete connection from Fairhaven to Downtown. You can learn more about this trail from this web page.

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    Can we please slow down the bike lanes? It takes double to get around town now over the last decade, there are less parking and latest studies show that bike ridership has not increased. Can we wait for people's motivation to catch up with the best ideas that the most idealistic among us have?

    AF asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for your comment. If you have not done so already, we suggest you take the survey on the Bicycle Discovery Phase page where you can express your concerns about bike lanes impacting vehicles.

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    Will there be a look at turn lanes on roads that don't work for cyclists? When I have ridden on Lakeway into town I am unable to take a left on Yew street because the turn light doesn't register my presence.

    Mostly a driver but cycling is fn! asked 8 months ago

    Thank you for your question, we will asking for public input on intersections and street crossings that are difficult on bike when we begin the Bicycle Master Plan. We anticipate beginning that process very soon, you can receive an email to be informed about when that process opens by signing up for project update emails.

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    Can we look into a protected bike lane on Lakeway? There are a few sections with a narrow and dangerous shoulder alongside 35mph+ traffic. This shoulder disappears at multiple points and forces cyclists to either enter the 35mph+ traffic, or move to the sidewalk. As a driver, it has never felt necessary or safe to have 4 lanes along lakeway at 35mph (everyone goes at least 40mph). It's too narrow, curvy, and hilly to be passing other vehicles going the same direction. As a reminder, a pedestrian on the Lakeway Dr. sidewalk was killed by a car last September https://www.cascadiadaily.com/news/2022/sep/10/pedestrian-killed-after-being-struck-by-car-on-lakeway-drive/ This road is unnecessarily dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Vehicles will naturally drive slower and more cautiously if given a single lane, bordered by protected bike lanes and trees and shrubs. My proposal would be 2 or 3 vehicle lanes maximum, going 25mph and two protected bike lanes along Lakeway Dr. from Ellis to Electric Ave.

    Corin S asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for your comment, Lakeway has been an area that we have been looking into for several years on how to add bike lanes. Most recently, in October 2021 the Lincoln-Lakeway Multimodal Study was completed, which points towards a multiuse pathway as possible solution. As we get into the Bicycle Master Plan update, it will continue to be a project that we are looking at.

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    Is it possible to look at extending the Cornwall bike lanes into downtown? Or at least to York Street?

    Freeman Anthony asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for your suggestion. The first round of public engagement for the Bicycle Master Plan update will begin in the next week or two; your comment has been received and I also recommend you add it to the web map of public ideas on adding bike lanes once the Engage Bellingham page is live.

Page last updated: 09 Jun 2023, 04:32 PM