Thurston Regional Planning Council to present strategic framework for bicycle connectivity 

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is spearheading a comprehensive Bicycle Connectivity Strategy (BCS) to improve safety, accessibility and connectivity for bicyclists across the county.  

The TRPC will present this initiative on Wednesday, May 14, at a Transportation Policy Board meeting, highlighting strategic objectives, anticipated outcomes and plans for community involvement.  

According to the TRPC website, bicyclist safety has become a growing concern throughout Thurston County. Data shows that since 2020, collisions involving cyclists that result in serious injuries or fatalities have been on the rise.

The BCS project will include a crash data analysis to identify high-risk areas across the county's transportation network. This analysis will help prioritize locations for targeted safety improvements.  

The initiative is also an important part of Thurston County's climate and sustainability goals. The region aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle dependence. It is working toward a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2015 levels by 2030, with a long-term target of achieving an 85% reduction by 2050.  

The region also aims to decrease annual per capita vehicle miles to 1990 levels by 2020, and further reduce that figure by 30% below 1990 levels by 2035. Its ultimate goal is to decrease it by 50% below 1990 levels by 2050.  

The project aims to improve the county's transportation network to create a safer, more convenient, and more accessible bicycling environment.

The Bicycle Connectivity Strategy aims to achieve the following: 

Identify gaps in bike routes within and between communities, while identifying opportunities to expand connectivity to key destinations.  

Recommend safety and efficiency improvements to increase rider confidence across the region's streets, roads and trails.  

Plan for future projects that include specific infrastructure recommendations and a phased approach to building a comprehensive, safe and interconnected bicycle network.  

Engage the community to learn about the needs and build consensus on goals for a bicycle network.  

The TRPC has opened an online bicycle connections survey. It encourages the community members, whether they ride regularly, occasionally or not at all, to give their input on the project to help shape policies, infrastructure improvements and community priorities for cycling.