L Why Create a Plan? <br />Eugene is a place where walking and biking are integral to <br />the community's culture, where the city's livability, sustainability and overall <br />quality of life are enhanced by more people walking and biking, and where <br />these activities are safe, convenient and practical options for everyone. <br />ugene has a history of thinking and acting boldly around walking and <br />biking issues, and we want to continue that legary. Our city has miles <br />of off-street walking and biking paths and more bridges across the <br />Willamette River for pedestrians and cyclists than for cars. Although we do <br />have an extensive biking and walking infrastructure and numerous community <br />biking and walking organizations, Eugene does not currently have a strategic <br />plan dedicated to getting more people out walking and biking. In fall 2006, <br />the Ciry of Eugene and the community embarked on this strategic planning <br />process. <br />Purpose <br />The goal of this 5-year Strategic Plan is to forge a path for Eugene to follow, <br />in becoming a more walkable and bikeable city. This plan is not a regulatory <br />plan and will not be adopted as policy by the Eugene City Council. Nor is <br />it a capital improvement plan that details the cost of specific infrastructure <br />improvements. Instead, it is a guide for City staff, comrriuniry members, and <br />organizations to use as they work toward a common vision. <br />Eugene currently has: <br />• 5 bike/pedestrian <br />bridges over the <br />Willamette River <br />• 81 miles of on-street <br />bike lanes <br />• 33 miles of off-street <br />paths <br />• 21 miles of signed <br />bike routes <br />• 621 miles of <br />sidewalks <br />~> <br />~. <br />II <br />1 <br />II <br />3J <br />a <br />,v <br />a <br />s <br />