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

We are currently accepting feedback on the draft Pedestrian Plan Update, including the story map which contains draft plan updates. Click the image below to learn more about the Pedestrian Plan Development Phase.

click here to view draft plan updates

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.

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

We are currently accepting feedback on the draft Pedestrian Plan Update, including the story map which contains draft plan updates. Click the image below to learn more about the Pedestrian Plan Development Phase.

click here to view draft plan updates

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

    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 about 2 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 17 days 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 26 days 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.

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    According to your numbers Bicycle Count Locations 2012 to 2021, numbers are down. AM number count is down by 300 and PM number count is down 450. Why are you spending so much time and money on Bicycle lanes when our streets have pot holes in them?

    LJM asked about 2 months ago

    Thank you for your question. A portion of the voter-approved Transportation Fund goes to non-motorized improvements, like bicycle lanes. Potholes are fixed when they are noticed by Public Works crews out in the field or when they are reported to Public Works through SeeClickFix. Larger street improvements, like grind and overlays on arterials, are also funded by the Transportation Fund. Fixing potholes and bicycle lanes are not mutually exclusive.

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    When will there be policy discussion at the Transportation Commission of the proposed draft ped plan policies--including public input received on policies?

    flinn asked 3 months ago

    Policies and programs were discussed at the November 8, 2022 Transportation Commission meeting and will be discussed again at the February 14, 2023 Transportation Commission meeting.

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    Proposal for new policies -- in Safety goal: 1- How street geometry/design will be used to guide people into the desired safe behavior (aka self-explaining roadways). 2- Describe the plan for redundancy in safety systems – to reduce the effects of mass + speed (bigger & heavier vehicles) on pedestrians in collisions. (using hardened centerlines, corner radii, etc in addition to signals & timing) All versions of signals need supportive safety measures so we aren’t relying solely on user compliance with a traffic control device. I'd like to see that included in the plan.

    Nolann asked 2 months ago

    Thank you for your comment of proposed new policies. It will be added to the public input.

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    Yes, thank you for this opportunity to express our neighborhood accessibility issues. This in reference to a section of Northshore Dr. east of Britton to (E) Academy. Two years ago, with three known cars running off the road and careening across the sidewalks, our three neighborhoods banded together to form the Northshore Committee. We composed a petition that was circulated and within a week we had 80 neighborhood signatures. Here are the relative issues as follows: 1) excess speeding along Northshore (two PW's traffic studies back this up) 2) lack of safe passage for pedestrians and bicycles thru this narrow road stretch with no current alternative routes available. The consensus is that this is an ongoing dangerous situation. 3) This area is shared with Silver Beach Creek Open Space Park (SBCOSP), which is a heavily used Lake Whatcom beachfront in the summer months. There is no legal parking at this site, so all the park users have to cross Northshore illegally on a blind s-curve. There are no crosswalks or paths that connect the sidewalk on the North side of the roadway to the park. There needs to be crosswalks at Maynard and Silvern and connecting paths to the park on the lakeside of Northshore Dr. 4) Lack of safety signage to warn drivers to of the curves and congestion ahead. 5) We are requesting a feasibility study about providing an ADA ped/bike bridge across Silver Beach Creek at E. Oregon St which runs parallel to Northshore. This would provide much safer access for the 300 COB homes on the east side and solves the lack of safe passage thru the Northshore Corridor. Not on the Petition is the situation at Northshore and (E) Academy. There is no connecting sidewalk between Haggin and Northshore on E. Academy. This a missing link in the sidewalk network is this neighborhood. Currently. in order to access these neighborhoods, one has to walk in the roadway. Thank you, again. RZF

    RZF asked 3 months ago

    Thank you for your comment.

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    There are bushes that come all the way to the sidewalk on North Forest and Palm Street. It makes it hard for both the cars coming from Forest Lane and the walkers on North Forest Street to see each other. Can these shrubs be cut back for safety?

    Lynn B asked 3 months ago

    Thank you for your question. Per City ordinance, vegetation control is the responsibility of the abutting property owner. You can report non-compliant properties with SeeClickFix, visit cob.org/fix for more details on how to use SeeClickFix.

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    Hello! Will the pedestrian mast plan storymap commenting be open through the weekend? I don’t see a deadline anywhere. Thanks!

    Beth Hartsoch asked 3 months ago

    Thank you for your question, yes, the  story map commenting will be open though the weekend. At this time, we do not have an end date for when we are accepting comments on the draft plans.

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    I would like to follow up on the response to Nancy's comments about Lakeway between Queen and Ellis: It would be helpful if you would add the specific Lakeway locations from the public input map to the draft project list – so that we can see that they have been vetted, how they scored, and if they are funded. Would you provide this info? I looked for the TIP and it isn’t showing some of the pedestrian problem locations that were identified on the input map. Also, from looking at other posts, it sounds like we should resubmit locations in other parts of the city if they aren't showing on the draft project list?

    Nolann asked 4 months ago

    Thank you for your comment. From a pedestrian perspective Lakeway Drive is a complete network with pedestrian crossings at the lights plus two HAWK crossings at Lakeway and Orleans Street and Lakeway and Undine Street as well as sidewalks on both sides of the road. This section of road will be looked at during the Bicycle Master Plan update for bicycle improvements.

    If you submitted a pedestrian project in the earlier stage of public engagement and do not see it on map or list of ranked projects, we suggest you re-submit it. The project may not have qualified if it did not meet the following criteria:

    • was within a certain distance of a school, transit stop or urban village
    • was located at a high-stress intersection, and at least 600 feet from the nearest low-stress crossing
    • was within the location of the study(city boundary and UGA)
    • Did not already  have a sidewalk (for segments)


Page last updated: 30 Mar 2023, 09:21 AM