Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning

Mission Statement
In order to mitigate congestion, improve air quality, 
and respond to the importance of establishing an accessible and efficient 
non-motorized transportation network, 
the Michiana Area Council of Governments is developing a comprehensive bikeway and pedestrian 
walkway plan for St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties.

CLICK BELOW TO VIEW THE NEW SPRING 2008 BICYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS COMMERCIAL!

MACOG Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Focus

The Michiana Area Council of Governments is responsible for regional bicycle and pedestrian planning.  In 1993, MACOG began developing a bicycle and pedestrian plan as one component of its Transportation Plan.  MACOG continues to work with its bike and pedestrian committees to further refine the plan, identifying and implementing projects, based on the following focus:

• Develop a system of bicycle routes on low-traffic volume roads that connect to the major traffic generators in the three-county MACOG region. 
• Develop a Transportation Enhancement or CMAQ proposal to fund signage along the proposed routes.
• Review the current bike and pedestrian walkways and encourage connectivity among new proposed projects and with the signed bicycle route system.
• Work with local public agency engineers to identify and implement bike lanes on lower volume road reconstruction projects, which provide connectivity to the overall system.

Local representatives from Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties that make up the MACOG Bike and Pedestrian Committee.  This committee meets several times a year to review projects requesting funding and to update projects included in the Plan or TIP. Members of the committee are appointed by each jurisdiction's elected officials and MACOG staff to promote a diverse and well-represented cross section of interested citizens, engineering staffs, local bicycle/pedestrian enthusiasts, and planners.

The 2030 Transportation Plan contains a listing of proposed bicycle and pedestrian facilities in Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties.  Many of these projects are adjoined to highway projects and may be implemented in conjunction with a highway project.  Other projects do not adjoin an existing highway project and are included in the illustrative projects listing.  

Click here to see the project listing of the 2030 TP Bike and Pedestrian Element

Further descriptions of bike and pedestrian facility development in each of the jurisdictions can be found here

• Hoosiers on the Move: The Indiana State Trails-Greenways & Bikeways Plan
• International Bicycle Fund
• U.S. Department of Transportation - Pedestrian and Bicycling Information Center
• Indiana Bicycle Coalition
• INDOT-Bicycle/Pedestrian Program
• The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
• Hoosier Rails-to-Trails Council
• Indiana Rail-to-Trails Projects
• Indiana Bicycling Facilities
• Michiana Bicycle Association

Transportation Enhancement Program

• Federal Highway Administration - Fact Sheets on the Transportation Enhancement Program
• Federal Highway Administration - SAFETEA-LU Transportation Enhancement Program Updates
• National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse

Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) Program

• Federal Highway Administration - Fact Sheets on the CMAQ Program
• Federal Highway Administration - SAFETEA-LU CMAQ Program Updates
• Federal Highway Administration - TEA-21 CMAQ Program Guidance

If you have an interest in bike and pedestrian activities or suggestions regarding the plan, please contact MACOG at (574) 674-8894 or e-mail us at macogdir@macog.com.