The Planning Division is presenting to the City Council the Billings Area Bikeway + Trails Master Plan Update with the intent to have the Council make a recommendation to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC). The Council received a comprehensive presentation of the Plan at its April 17 Work Session.  

In June of 2016, the Planning Division entered into a Consultant contract with Alta Planning + Design to complete an update to the Billings Area Bikeway and Trails Master Plan. Through monthly meetings with a steering committee, focus group meetings, public meetings and an online survey and mapping project, a comprehensive bike and trails master plan was
completed. 

The plan includes an updated Plan Vision that states, “The Billings community envisions a safe, convenient, and connected active transportation network consisting of streets, trails, sidewalks, and on-street bicycle facilities that are accessible to people of all ages and abilities for trips of all purposes and to improve the economic and physical health of the community and its citizens”. The update includes data and information to assist residents, staff, local organizations, agencies and elected officials in achieving this vision. The data and information outlined within the chapters of the document include a discussion on the communities Existing Conditions, a Needs Assessment, Recommendations, and Implementation. 

• The Existing Conditions chapter includes a review of past planning documents, demographic analysis, existing facilities, bike and pedestrian counts, crash data, active transportation programs and information on bike parking.
• The Needs Assessment chapter contains information on how the level of traffic stress on bicyclists can impact comfort and participation in bike commuting and recreational riding, discussion on the public involvement techniques used, active transportation benefits for the community, and new bikeway types.
• The Recommendation chapter discusses recommendations on facility types, wayfinding signage, programs/policies, bike/ped counts, bike parking and maintenance.
• The Implementation chapter discusses strategies, cost estimates, project prioritization and funding sources.

The development of the study was managed by a project steering committee comprised of representatives from Planning, City Parks and Recreation Department, City Engineering Division, County Public Works Department, Montana Department of Transportation, representatives from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Billings TrailNet, Lockwood Pedestrian Safety Committee, Billings Chamber of Commerce, and RiverStone Health.  The planning process included a public participation element that hosted two public meetings, focus group meetings, an online input map, and an online survey. 
 
A hard copy of the plan can be requested from the Planning Division.  Electronic copies of the document are located at the following link:  http://ci.billings.mt.us/DocumentCenter/View/34091

 

City Council may:

• Approve the Billings Area Bikeway + Trail Master Plan Update and forward that recommendation to the PCC via the Council representative.
• Approve the Billings Area Bikeway + Trails Master Plan Update with modifications and forward that recommendation to the PCC via the Council representative.
• Not approve the Billings Area Bikeway + Trails Master Plan Update and forward that recommendation to the PCC via the Council representative. Not approving the Plan could affect future access to some funding sources, like grants and federal programs, for bicycle and pedestrian projects in the community if no existing plan is in place to inform decisions on projects and programs.

There should be no direct financial impact from the adoption of this Plan. However, Plan implementation will involve a variety of funding decisions and sources to accomplish future planning, funding, and design of non-motorized facilities for the Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Urban Area. 
 

Staff recommends the City Council take formal action on the Billings Area Bikeway + Trail Master Plan Update and forward a recommendation of approval to the Policy Coordinating Committee for action at its May 16, 2017 meeting.