Walking is the oldest and most efficient, affordable, and environmentally-friendly form of transportation—it’s how transit riders eventually reach their destinations, how drivers get from the parking lot to the front door, and how cyclists get from the bike rack to the business. Nearly everyone, for at least some portion of every day, is a pedestrian. That is why (as most of you know) we developed Seattle’s first Pedestrian Master Plan, approved by the Mayor and Council late last month.
Since it’s gotten so much press from traditional media outlets, we nearly forgot out blog readers might also want to take good look at the plan. You can check it out here.
The plan defines the steps needed to make Seattle the most walkable city in the nation and outlines the projects, programs, and policies that are needed to achieve the plan’s goals of safety, equity, vibrancy, and health.
The city is dedicated to making this plan a success. Over the next six years more than $60 million will be invested citywide as the plan is transformed from document to reality. Investments in new sidewalks, sidewalk repairs, safe routes to schools, pedestrian countdown signals, crosswalks, pedestrian signage and wayfinding, and stairway rehabilitation will allow us to begin making headway toward the plan’s goals.