(A) Whether it be a leisurely bike ride to Wallowa Lake or a short walk to school, city residents and visitors greatly value the area’s walking and bicycling opportunities. The foundation of a potentially-tremendous walkway and bikeway network is already in place or in development. Joseph’s downtown core offers an attractive walking environment largely resulting from the visionary Main Street Beautification Project completed in 2000. Surrounding neighborhoods have well-connected streets, many of which serve as excellent bicycling routes, and efforts are underway to establish new recreation opportunities. To enhance these assets, city residents and leaders desire to make the community even more attractive for walkers and bicyclists. In some areas, bicycle and pedestrian system upgrades are needed. These include intersection improvements, sidewalk completion, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq., compliance, completing bikeway network gaps and establishing new connections.
(B) The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan will take the city to the next level. This plan presents the vision of a fully-developed bicycle and pedestrian system over the next 20 years, serving residents and visitors alike. A complete bikeway and walkway network will increase overall connections within the community, increase the number of children walking and bicycling to school and promote the overall health of city residents by making walking and bicycling safe, comfortable and attractive travel modes.
(Ord. passed 6- -2009)