Bicycling and walking are viable forms of transportation for shorter trips. In addition, walking is a very important first mile and last mile component of transit trips. As transportation costs and congestion increase, walking and bicycling continue to grow in importance at the local, regional and national levels. While cyclists and pedestrians can use almost any transportation corridor, many facilities are not equipped or safe enough to support these modes of transportation. ARC has been promoting safe, functional and regional bicycle and pedestrian planning since 1973 and continues to update its process to address new needs and trends.

Regional Studies of Importance to Bicycle & Pedestrian Planning

• 2007 Atlanta Region Bicycle Transportation & Pedestrian Walkways Plan 
• PLAN 2040 
• Strategic Regional Thoroughfare Plan 
• 2009-2010 Regional On-Board Transit Survey 

Walking and Bicycling Data

ARRA Funded Bicycle & Pedestrian Projects in the Atlanta Region

• ARRA Funded Bicycle & Pedestrian Projects List (PDF) – as of October 2009
  *Please note that the cost for projects already authorized for construction is noted as $0, even though those projects do have real costs. 
• ARRA Transportation webpage – Information about ARRA funded transportation projects and how funding was allocated in the Atlanta region.

Regional Bicycle Facility Inventory
During the summer of 2008, ARC conducted the first-ever regional inventory of bicycle facilities for the 18-county MPO area. Each local government was asked to submit data on existing bicycle facilities within their jurisdiction. Bicycle facilities include bike lanes, multi-use paths, side paths, designated bicycle routes, etc. ARC plans to update this inventory every two years. 

• Bicycle Facility Inventory Data (look under Other ARC GIS Files)

Inventory of Pedestrian Facilities Around Transit
This inventory of pedestrian facilities around regional transit (rail stations, bus stops and transit centers) includes data on surrounding land uses and the type and condition of the facilities and pedestrian crossings. ARC completed data collection at 37of 38 MARTA rail stations in Fall 2004 and an inventory of 10 key bus transfer centers/locations in Fall 2005. 

• Inventory Survey (PDF) 
• Inventory Manual (PDF)

Atlanta Region Household Travel Survey, 2002 
American Community Survey 2005-2007 Means of Transportation to Work, Atlanta-Sandy Springs MSA
Bicycling and Walking in the US: Benchmarking Report 2007 (Alliance for Biking and Walking; Bikes Belong Coalition)
FHWA National Pedestrian and Bicyclist Crash Data
Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP) - Under this program authorized through SAFETEA-LU, four communities each received $25 million in federal funds to demonstrate how improved walking and bicycling networks can increase rates of walking and bicycling. An interim report is provided on the site, with the final report expected in 2010.

Plan Your Trip

• A-Train: Atlanta’s Multimodal Trip Planner - Launched by Citizens for Progressive Transit in 2007, this is a useful tool that can estimate the best combination of walking and transit for your trip within the transit-serviced areas of metro Atlanta (DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties). A-Train could also help you route your bicycle trip in accordance with your preferences for terrain and friendliness of bicycle accommodation.
• Midtown and Downtown Atlanta Bicycle Suitability Map
• Emory Bicycle Suitability Map (PDF)
• PATH Foundation Trails and Maps - PATH Foundation Trails and Maps site offers detailed online descriptions of the Silver Comet Trail, the Atlanta-DeKalb Trail System and the Arabia Mountain Trail. You can also order hardcopy maps and guidebooks on this site.

Funding Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure

• FHWA Bicycle & Pedestrian Federal Funding Sources
• GDOT Transportation Enhancements (TE) Program - According to Bicycling and Walking in the US: Benchmarking Report 2007 (Alliance for Biking and Walking), the TE program funds 73% of all federally-funded bicycle and pedestrian projects nationwide.
• ARC’s Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Transportation Program - Eligible communities that have completed an LCI study can apply to ARC for LCI transportation funding to implement transportation projects.
• Georgia Recreational Trails Program - The Georgia Department of Natural Resources oversees allocation of federal funds for recreational trail construction, trail maintenance and trail education. Funds are typically awarded on an annual basis. Nationwide, recreational trails funding accounts for 3% of all federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
• Safe Routes to School (SRTS) - SRTS funding is available on a competitive application basis through GDOT for pedestrian, bicycle, and traffic calming improvements that improve safety within a 2-mile radius of K-8 schools.

Bicycle Information

• Bicycling Facilities Design Guidelines (PDF) 
• Atlanta Region Bicycle User Groups and Bicycle Advocacy (PDF)
• Atlanta Bicycle Coalition
• Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center - Bicycle Information
• National Center for Bicycling and Walking

Complete Streets

“Complete Streets” are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities must be able to safely move along and across a complete street. While no Complete Streets legislation currently exists at the national level, the principles of Complete Streets are becoming increasingly more accepted in transportation planning, and as of October 2009, 110 jurisdictions in the U.S. have adopted Complete Streets-friendly policies.

National Complete Streets Coalition – The national advocacy group for Complete Streets policies and offers a variety of factsheets on the benefits of Complete Streets policies.

Complete Streets in the Atlanta Region

• City of Decatur incorporated Complete Streets principles in adopting its Community Transportation Plan
• City of Roswell Complete Streets Policy
• Cobb County Complete Streets Policy

Complete Streets in the Southeastern United States

• North Carolina DOT Complete Streets Policy, adopted by NCDOT Board in July 2009.
• City of Louisville, KY Complete Streets ordinance and detailed manual.
• City of Fairhope, AL adopted a Complete Streets resolution in October 2009.
  • October 2009 Fairhope City Council meeting notes.

Pedestrian Information

• Pedestrian Facilities Design Guidelines (PDF) 
• Atlanta Region Pedestrian Advocacy and Safety Education Groups (PDF)
• PEDS
• Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center – Pedestrian Information
• National Center for Bicycling and Walking

Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a program created by the federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU. The program's goal is to increase the number of children in grades K-8 who bicycle and walk to school by increasing awareness, developing locally-driven and supported programs, improving bicycling and walking conditions near the qualifying schools, and evaluating at the project and program levels. In addition to federal funding, local governments and non-profit and advocacy organizations support Safe Routes to School efforts.

• GDOT SRTS Program - A statewide SRTS Program is managed by GDOT. Non-infrastructure funding is geared towards locally-based outreach and education programs, and supported by the Georgia SRTS Resource Center. SRTS infrastructure funding is available on a competitive application basis.
• National Center for Safe Routes to School
• The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is a network of hundreds of organizations, government agencies and professional groups working to set goals, share best practices, secure funding, and provide educational materials to agencies that implement SRTS programs. Georgia is one of the 20 states participating in the SRTS National Partnership Network Project. To participate in weekly Georgia SRTS Network teleconferencing meetings, or to be added to the mailing list, contact Georgia SRTS State Network Organizer.

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

• National ADA Guidelines for Transportation Facilities (PDF) 
• Atlanta Region Disability Advocacy Groups and Support (PDF)