The State of Oregon is seeking public input to its draft bicycle pedestrian plan by Feb. 18. 
Says a statement in the plan, “Oregon has demonstrated that walking and biking are viable and desirable modes of transportation and boasts one of the highest walking and biking rates in the nation.”
So then why the need for a new plan to boost these modalities?
“The potential for and interest in
walking and biking continues to grow,” says the report, and the population is also expected to grow, “putting greater demands on the transportation system overall.”
Studies done in Oregon’s Portland metropolitan area show around 56 percent of residents are interested in biking but are concerned for safety, indicating untapped potential mode share.
Nationally, 41 percent of all trips are three miles or less, which walking and biking opportunities could help serve.
Concerns about safety among Oregonians are real: Recent data indicates that fatalities and serious injuries for bicyclists, and especially for pedestrians, have increased. In addition to crashes, other safety issues and perceptions of safety or security affect the number of people who choose to walk or bike, says the plan. 
The plan seeks not only to fix the safety and perceived safety of ped and bike routes, it also seeks to create a system of connective, seamless bicycle routes.
Of great concern is the health of Oregonians, which has worsened over the decades. Disabled persons and others who cannot drive such as the elderly also depend on the ability to walk to their destination safely, something they can’t do now. “Access to modes of travel other than driving is essential to not only their mobility, but also their independence,” says the plan.
In summary, the vision for 2040 is that:
….people of all ages, incomes, and abilities can access destinations in urban and rural areas on safe, well-connected biking and walking routes. People can enjoy Oregon’s scenic beauty by walking and biking on a transportation system that respects the needs of its users and their sense of safety. Bicycle and pedestrian networks are recognized as integral, interconnected elements of the Oregon transportation system that contribute to our diverse and vibrant communities and the health and quality of life enjoyed by Oregonians.
Cyclists International’s first comment: make it sooner than 2040, we need this now. Make your comments today! Click here to see the report and make your comments.