The ability for bicyclists and pedestrians to safely use our city's public streets and pathways is an important part of our area's quality of life. Synergistically, both walking and the riding of bicycles result in lessened automobile traffic on our city's streets, which in turn reduces street deterioration, thereby reducing costs for street repair and reducing air pollution all while providing the benefits of healthy exercise. The Yakima City Council recognized these important facts when they established the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee on April 5, 1994. On May 24, 1994, the Council subsequently appointed five citizens and three staff members to serve on this Committee. Council Resolution Number R94-37 directed this Advisory Committee to undertake the following activities:

1. Counsel in the creation of a Yakima Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan;

2. Seek consensus among staff, committee members, affected citizens and local neighborhoods, or other interested groups, on bicycle/pedestrian projects and implementation;

3. Establish an annual list of recommended bicycle/pedestrian priorities to serve as a proposed bicycle/pedestrian budget for the coming year;

4. Review and adopt preliminary and final plans for creating and financing specific bicycle/pedestrian projects;

5. Keep the public informed about existing and proposed bicycle/pedestrian projects and encourage citizen participation in identifying problem areas, reviewing existing facilities, and planning and implementing new projects and facilities.

Increasing the use of bicycles and walking, both for exercise and transportation, are important community goals. Unfortunately, the street network within the Yakima Urban Area has but inconsistently planned for the integration of these alternative methods of transportation. Creating the opportunity for bicycles and pedestrians to safely use our streets or alternatively constructing separate pathways will require a long term commitment, careful planning, and the expenditure of local financial resources.

A series of planning efforts are currently underway across our state that reinforce our communities' desire of improving Bike and Pedestrian access. The Washington State Growth Management Act, passed in 1990, with amendments in 1991 required Cities and Counties to plan for "multi-modal" transportation systems. Multi-modal refers to the variety of users of the street system. The Commute Trip Reduction Act (CTR) mandated certain employers to reduce their peak hour, single occupancy vehicle trips to the work place. To accomplish this goal, alternative forms of transportation must be readily available.

Locally, the Upper Yakima Valley Visioning Report (January 1992) provided support for the improvement of pedestrian and bicycle facilities. The City of Yakima Parks and Recreation Plan (adopted by City Council September, 1994) includes objectives and policies which promote the establishment and development of green belts and pathways within the City.

Private local efforts have resulted in the outstanding Yakima Greenway path along the west bank of the Yakima River. This effort will shortly be expanded into a enlarged pathway along the south bank of the Naches River. At Myron Lake the Greenway path will terminate for the present time, but the vision exists for yet another two extensions. One will go west as a nature pathway along property owned by the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy and the other route will go south, following recently covered irrigation canals, as an urban pathway that will interconnect several local parks and neighborhoods with the Yakima Greenway.

The Yakima Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan identifies the location and type of desired facilities for bicycles and pedestrians. Additionally, funding sources, construction standards and community education issues will be discussed within this Plan. The Plan examines the projected needs of community for a 20-year period (1995-2015) and includes both short range and long range goals and visions. The Master Plan was adopted by reference into the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan in 1997 and is part of the land use policy for the Yakima Urban Area.

Planning for the future is always a matter of trust and vision. We trust the values which we hold today will endure. We also must dream a vision for the future and make the necessary changes to work toward that vision. Most importantly, we must recognize that opportunities often present themselves with little warning. This Plan needs, therefore, to be dynamic and responsive to community issues and new opportunities.

Vision Statement

"The purpose of the Yakima Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is to identify a transportation system for all bicyclists and pedestrians that promotes a safe, accessible commuting and recreational use between parks, schools, Yakima Greenway, employment and commercial centers and other points of interest. The system will promote public education and information to encourage safe bike/pedestrian/motor vehicle relationships and interactions."

This vision statement is the guiding policy for the philosophy of the plan and route development.

Implementation Objectives:

1. Establish routes for commuter use which are easily accessible and minimize conflict between transportation modes
2. Establish routes and paths for recreational use which take advantage of recreational opportunities and provide for different degrees of skill.
3. Establish a path and route network that promotes continuity throughout the Yakima Urban Area and links communities with the Greenway path, population centers and state and federal arterial path systems.
4. Provide support facilities for path users through the regional area, such as:
5. Safe and secure bicycle parking or storage facilities at major destinations. Water and rest facilities along recreational routes.
6. Provide an ongoing, annual maintenance program for all path facilities using both public and private resources. Encourage volunteer efforts, such as "Adopt a Path" programs.
7. Support educational programs emphasizing safety. Encourage volunteer activities to promote safety issues.
8. Adopt a map which identifies designated paths and routes recommended for recreational and commuter bicycle use. This map was completed in 1998 and available for free public distribution.
9. Provide for monitoring an overall plan implementation program which coordinates all involved jurisdictions.
10. Continue to seek funding resources for capital projects and facility maintenance.
11. Actively use volunteer labor and/or services to help defray the public costs of design, construction, maintenance, and education.
12. Evaluate the impact of new development and improvements upon bike and pedestrian facilities. Development located along designated bike routes shall be required to provide bike facilities as designated in this plan.

The Yakima Pedestrian and Bicycle Citizen Advisory Committee meets monthly at the Yakima City Public Works Department, 2301 Fruitvale Boulevard, Yakima Washington. You may call 575-6005 for information about this committee.

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