CITY OF TULARE 
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

An Active Transportation Plan is a strategic guide to improve and expand walking, biking, and rolling infrastructure within a community. It identifies key opportunities to create safer, more connected, and accessible transportation networks, encouraging active, zero-emission modes of travel. The plan promotes safety, health, sustainability, and equity by prioritizing infrastructure investments that support mobility for all users while reducing traffic congestion and environmental impacts. 

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Seven Key Principles ​

• Safety: Prioritize safe infrastructure for all users, reducing conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicles through designs like protected bike lanes, sidewalks, and crosswalks.

• Connectivity: Develop a seamless network of walking, biking, and rolling routes that connect key destinations such as schools, workplaces, parks, and transit hubs.

• Equity: Ensure active transportation options are accessible to all, addressing the needs of underserved and vulnerable populations.

• Sustainability: Promote zero-emission modes like walking and biking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts.

• Health and Well-being: Encourage physical activity and improve mental health by making active transportation a convenient, enjoyable part of daily life.

• Community Engagement: Involve residents and stakeholders in planning to ensure the infrastructure reflects community needs and priorities.

• Resilience: Build infrastructure that enhances mobility during emergencies and supports long-term adaptability to changing conditions.​

 

 

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According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in May 2024, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) will recognize National Bike Month and all the related activities of its Operating Administrations that support a safe, multimodal transportation network for all users. 

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• Bicycling is a healthy, affordable, and climate-friendly way to get around your community. 

• Most trips (52%) made are under three miles, which is a short distance perfect for biking, walking, and rolling (Active Transportation). 

• Infrastructure that is friendly for all people who use on-road facilities and off-road trails – including bicyclists – makes it easier to get around your community and can help:

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1. Increase the safety of your neighbors, friends, and family who use the roads where you live, work, and play;

2. Enable more people to avoid traffic congestion and choose forms of travel that contribute low to no emissions; 

3. Make destinations that are just a little too far for walking, such as transit stations, easier to reach, and;

4. Increase physical activity and health for those who choose to bicycle.

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Active transportation networks—including bike lanes, sidewalks, and multi-use trails—help create vibrant communities by providing safe, comfortable, convenient, reliable, efficient, and affordable ways for people to get around. Investing in active transportation can drive community cohesion and economic prosperity while helping to ensure people are connected to the outdoors and the essential places they need to go each day. Importantly, active transportation networks provide opportunities for affordable, low-emission, or zero-emission trips while closing gaps between people and their next ride—after all, active transportation is an essential part of every public transportation trip. Active transportation infrastructure helps create interconnected transportation networks that can help reduce congestion and traffic fatalities when designed with all users in mind, improve access to economic opportunity, increase physical activity and improve human health, and tighten the social fabric of communities.