Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning
Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is improving in the region but motorized travel continues to dominate the transportation network. While motor vehicles provide an indispensable component of our transportation system, travel by foot and bicycle are also essential elements. These modes of travel are efficient, affordable, healthy and environmentally sound, and their increased usage will provide more transportation choices, a more complete local and regional transportation system, and contribute to more vibrant and attractive communities.
The priority of the Nashua Regional Planning Commission is to encourage a shift from motorized to non-motorized travel. The idea is to substitute bicycling and walking for driving an automobile for personal errands, as well as for visiting friends and the commute to work, whenever possible. Research has shown that where investment in pedestrian and bicycle facilities has occurred, rates of non-motorized travel are significantly higher than the national average. It is therefore reasonable to assume that some percentage of personal trips now being conducted via motor vehicle in the region could be shifted to non-motorized modes if proper facilities and encouragement were provided.
Mine Falls Park, Nashua
Photo For NRPC By James Walsh
Some Useful Links...
NHDOT Bike/Ped Webpage
NHDOT Safe Routes to School Webpage
Design Guidelines & Pedestrian Facilities
Federal Highway Administration: Small Towns and Rural Multi-modal Networks
Federal Highway Administration Small Town and Rural Design Guide
PACTS Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System
Washington County Bicycle Facility Design Toolkit
Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Guide
NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide
Portland Bicycle Master Plan for 2030, Appendix D
FHWA, Bicycle Facilities and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices
Organizations, Coalitions & Partnerships
Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire
New Hampshire Rail Trails Coalition
Granite State Wheelers
The National Center for Bicycling and Walking
League of American Bicyclists
Associations of Bicycle Professionals (APBP)
Rails to Trail Conservancy
National Complete Streets Coalition
Safe Routes to School National Partnership
Context Sensitive Solutions Clearinghouse
Cities for Cycling
Transportation & Land Use Planning
Smart Growth America
Transportation for America
Planetizen
Walking & Bicycling Assessments
Guide to Conducting Walkability and Bikeability Assessments in New
Hampshire Communities
New Jersey DOT Complete Streets Checklist