UPDATE – NJDOT has informed us that they are no longer accepting applications for this program. We will update this page once we get more detailed information. The Story Map featured in this article is still a useful how-to for implementing bicycle and pedestrian plans.

If you want bike lanes, shared-use paths, and safe places to walk in your community you need a plan. The good news in New Jersey is that the Department of Transportation (NJDOT) offers the Local Bicycle/Pedestrian Planning Assistance Program (LBPPAP) for communities that want to develop plans for bicycle and pedestrian safety projects.

The agency retains consultants with expertise in bicycle and pedestrian planning to work with communities to develop plans that will lead to capital improvements to benefit the non-motorized transportation modes. These studies help to identify a municipality’s most significant pedestrian and bicycle issues and identify ways to fix them. This service is provided at no cost to counties and municipalities that demonstrate a need and desire to undertake planning activities that will lead to capital improvements to benefit the non-motorized transportation modes. The Municipality (or County) is required to apply through the State DOT and pass a resolution of support.

We created this Story Map to help you connect your local officials with the program, and if needed find allies in your community to help you make the case. Since the late 1990’s plans have been created for nearly 100 communities. Your town may already have a plan that is sitting on the shelf. If those plans are reasonably recent (say after 2010) you should convince your community to implement the plan.

Once your plans are adopted, getting from the plan to actual paint and concrete is the most difficult part of the process. We offer some examples of communities that have successfully implemented changes with experimental pop-up infrastructure which can show people how streets will look and function when they are installed permanently. If you have any questions about the program you can contact John Boyle, BCGP Research Director (email)

 

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