The Federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (“ISTEA”) of 1991 mandated all Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) develop bicycle and pedestrian considerations within the Long Range Transportation Plan. In 1998, The County’s Long Range Transportation Plan was updated and touched briefly on incorporating pedestrian and bicycle facilities in transportation planning. Later that year a more detailed Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, 1998 was prepared which began the study of existing facilities and provided recommendations to identify future facilities.

• 1998 Bicycle Pedestrian Plan (PDF)
• Appendices to 1998 Bicycle Pedestrian Plan (PDF)

Since the Orange County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, 1998 was adopted, increased mobility, livability, and environmental, economic and socially equitable sustainability have become important goals of urban and regional transportation planning in the United States and abroad. This evolving perspective includes balancing mobility for all modes of travel through street design, creating environments that are safe and pleasant for walking and biking, making communities more livable through reduced congestion and improved access to recreational facilities, and protecting our environment through reduced fuel consumption, asphalt paving, and water treatment requirements.

 Additionally, cities and municipalities are investing in transit-oriented development to shift land uses to housing, commercial and retail buildings near transit stations to increase the use of non-auto modes of transportation and reduce driving in order to achieve these mobility and sustainability goals. In order to incorporate these goals, the County Planning Department, on behalf of the Orange County Transportation Council, is updating the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, 1998. The update was initiated during the Newburgh Area Transportation and Land Use Study through the development of the following framework documents.