On April 18, the Lucas County Commissioners endorsed a resolution in support of the Lucas County Active Transportation Plan, which outlines strategies for making the county’s streets safe for individuals who walk, bike, or use other human-powered transportation modes to get around.
“Active transportation is an umbrella term for all the ways people can get around without using a motorized vehicle,” explained Commissioner Pete Gerken. “It includes walking, biking, using a kick scooter or skateboard and more. It’s not just a form of recreation, but also serves as an essential mode of transportation for individuals to reach school, jobs, shopping and other services.”
“Investing in active transportation is essential for the health and well-being of our communities,” he added.
“By recognizing the importance of physically-active forms of transportation, we can improve public health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create more livable communities for everyone,” Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak said.
“Widespread use of active transportation improves public health outcomes, reduces pollution, and alleviates traffic congestion, and to achieve these benefits, communities must invest in the infrastructure and programs that support active transportation. This plan is an important step towards coordinating that investment,” added Commissioner Lisa Sobecki.
The Lucas County Active Transportation Plan was created under the leadership of a steering committee led by Live Well Greater Toledo and included stakeholders from Toledo, Lucas County, Oregon, Sylvania, Ohio Department of Health, Toledo Lucas County Health Department, Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, TARTA and other community organizations.
Development of the plan began in 2017, and the work was supplemented by community feedback and an outside consultant.
Through the use of existing or proposed improvements, the plan will include 47-miles of shared-use paths, five miles of buffered or separated bike lanes, 21-miles of bicycle lanes, 11 bicycle boulevards and 20-miles of wide shoulders.
The plan is available at livewelltoledo.org/local-active- transportation.
