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News and Topics of Interest

Bloomington has long been known as a place that values and supports alternative transportation.  Since 2003, the League of American Bicyclists has recognized Bloomington as an official “Bicycle Friendly Community” at the Bronze level.  Indiana University hosts the annual Little 500 bicycle race, which was the basis for the 1980 movie “Breaking Away”.  The Bloomington/Monroe County MPO has been instrumental in supporting this environment in recent years, and has sought to extend the reach of alternative transportation beyond Bloomington and into the greater MPO planning area.

Long Range Planning

The basis for the MPO’s alternative transportation program is found in the 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan.  It contains a significant study of alternative transportation needs in the MPO planning area, as well as recommendations for the improvement of alternative transportation facilities and equipment over time.  In addition, the vision statement and goals of the 2030 Plan speak specifically to reducing automobile trips through the enhancement of alternative transportation facilities.

The MPO has also assisted local partner agencies with the development of their own long range bicycle and pedestrian transportation plans.  The MPO assisted Monroe County with the creation of its Alternative Transportation & Greenways System Plan during Fiscal Year 2006.  Likewise, the MPO was able to help the City of Bloomington update its plan, resulting in the recent adoption of their 2008 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation & Greenways System Plan.

Recognizing that coordination between jurisdictions is crucial for the development of an effective bicycle and pedestrian transportation system, the MPO worked with the City and County in 2007 to develop an alternative transportation study of the SR-37 corridor.  INDOT has designated this corridor through the MPO area as the preferred route for the proposed I-69 highway.  This highway would pose a significant barrier to bicycle and pedestrian movement.  The corridor study provides design alternatives for proposed highway interchanges that would allow for safe movement of bicyclists and pedestrians across the proposed highway.  The MPO continues to work with the designers of the local section of the highway to try and incorporate many of the corridor study’s recommendations.

Safe Routes to School Program

The Bloomington Monroe/County MPO has taken a strong leadership role in managing the Safe Routes to School Program on the local level.  A Safe Routes to School Task Force was established to oversee the grant application development and project implementation process.  The task force has representation from local school corporations, city and county officials, bicycle and pedestrian organizations, and concerned parents.  As a result of this groundwork, local schools have received significant funding for infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects in each grant cycle to date.

Bicycle Skills & Safety Education

The MPO has also begun a new program designed to help the community become smarter, safer cyclists.  Over the last year, an MPO staff member has taken courses from the League of American Bicyclists, resulting in certification as a League Certified Instructor.  This staff member may now present the League of American Bicyclists Road I training course to others.  The MPO will, at least once per year, provide this training course to the public.  This course instructs participants on safe cycling skills for riding on the road, as well as some basic bicycle maintenance skills.

Complete Streets

A transportation movement that has been taking root across the country is also receiving significant interest from the MPO.  The Complete Streets concept emphasizes designing transportation corridors that provide for the safe, efficient movement of all modes of transportation, not solely for the automobile.  The Citizens Advisory Committee of the MPO has taken up Complete Streets as a cause, and is working with staff to develop a proposed Complete Streets Policy to be adopted by the MPO Policy Committee.  Details on the policy will be developed over the next several months, with a final proposed policy to be presented for consideration later in 2008.

Other Local Efforts

The MPO continues to stay involved with other local efforts to enhance alternative transportation, including improvements to local public transit.  Over the last few years, the MPO has assisted Bloomington Transit in developing a site selection study for a new downtown central bus terminal.  More recently, the MPO has assisted with detailed planning for a tentatively selected site.  The MPO also provided planning funds to Bloomington Transit to undertake a Route & Efficiency study, and is currently helping to complete the Transit Development Plan.

The Bloomington/Monroe County MPO remains committed to assisting all of its local partners with their bicycle, pedestrian, and transit planning efforts.  As a regional organization, the MPO provides an excellent forum for communication and coordination between these entities, and will continue to be an advocate for transportation planning that accommodates all modes of travel effectively.