TXDOT releases new guidelines stressing inclusion of walking and biking

BikeTexas is excited to announce that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has released a new guidance memo affirming the importance of building roads to include space for people to walk and ride bicycles. Released on March 23, 2011, by John A. Barton, P.E., to all TxDOT District Engineers, this guidance shows that TxDOT is committed to a policy in line with the Complete Streets Bill (HB 1105 / SB 513) currently making its way through the Texas legislature.

Entitled "Guidelines Emphasizing Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations", the memo states:

"TxDOT is committed to proactively plan, design and construct facilities to safely accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians. It is critical that bicycle and pedestrian accommodations be considered and discussed as the need and purpose of a project is defined during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, taking into consideration existing and anticipated bicycle and pedestrian facility systems and needs."

You can download the entire memorandum by clicking here.