Implementing and Updating Bicycle
and Pedestrian Master Plans
In November of 2006, the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) held a series of workshops as part of a process of updating the County of Marin and all cities' and towns' bicycle and pedestrian master plans. These updates are important to keep our communities eligible for funding as well as to incorporate new improvements that were not a part of the original plans.
A series of four public workshops, held during the month of November, provided TAM with input on countywide issues, such as an inventory of existing and proposed bikeways as well as potential improvements that are missing from current plans. The Marin County Bicycle Coalition encourages all members to attend future meetings and provide input to this important process! Please use the following link to download the MCBC’s initial recommendations for the bike/ped plan updates: http://www.marinbike.org/Campaigns/PilotPgm/WkshopRecommendations.pdf.
The November meetings focused on specific geographic areas allowing for community members most familiar with those respective areas to provide input to the bicycle/pedestrian plan updates. Over the next two years, as each local jurisdiction’s plan update comes up on the schedule, there will be the opportunity to attend additional public workshops or meetings that are specific to the respective city or town’s plan update. To be notified of these and other import bike-related meetings/events, please email Bob Trigg: bob@marinbike.org.
History
When MCBC first formed in 1998, we made it a top goal to have the
County and its cities and towns create and adopt Bicycle and Pedestrian
Master Plans. We knew that without these plans, the jurisdictions
would never be able to secure funding to implement projects. After
helping the County to find a funding source in 1999 to create the first
Master Plan, a two-year process began of developing a vision of Marin as
a model bicycle community for the nation.
On Tuesday, May 22, 2001, the County of Marin adopted the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan for unincorporated areas of Marin County. This Plan is a historic document that is one of the most progressive and comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans in the Nation. Some of the major suggestions include:
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Creation of a North-South Greenway along the Northwestern Pacific Railroad right-of-way stretching from Sausalito to the County line. This multi-use path would pass by seven transit centers, two ferry terminals, several major employers, many shopping centers, and within two miles of 51 schools. It will parallel Highway 101, which experiences significant daily traffic congestion.
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An East-West Greenway following the Northwestern Pacific Railroad right-of-way from Inverness to San Quentin.
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Opening railroad tunnels that were closed in the 1960's and 1970's. The study looks at re-opening four tunnels for bicycle and pedestrian use: Alto (connecting Mill Valley and Corte Madera), Cal Park (connecting Larkspur and San Rafael), Puerto Suello (connecting downtown San Rafael and Terra Linda), and Woodacre (connecting Fairfax and West Marin).
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Education, Safety, Signage, and Safe Routes to School programs.
The MCBC believes that this Master Plan, when implemented will serve as a model for bicycle transit for the entire nation. We thank Marin County Public Works, the Marin County Supervisor, and Alta Consulting for leading the process. Our thanks also go out to the hundreds of people who provided input for the plan.
Most of the towns throughout Marin County are also completing their plans, or have already adopted plans. More information about each town's Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans will be posted to this site in the near future.
For immediate questions, please call Andy Peri at (415) 456-3469 ext. 8#.
Master Plan Resources
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Adopted bike/ped plans can be found on the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program website at: http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/pw/main/NTPP.cfm
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MCBC’s complete recommendations for the bicycle plan updates process http://www.marinbike.org/Campaigns/PilotPgm/WkshopRecommendations.pdf
Last Updated January 2007