Need & Purpose

The Sonoma County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is intended to establish goals, objective, policies, and project priorities for bicycle and pedestrian transportation network in the unincorporated area outside of the cities of Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and the Town of Windsor. Each of these cities has developed their own individual bicycle and pedestrian plans to guide implementation of the network inside their respective city boundaries. The Sonoma County Transportation Authority’s Countywide Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan is intended to coordinate development of facilities proposed by the individual plans in order to provide a seamless regional bicycle and pedestrian network.

A comprehensive, safe, and convenient bicycle and pedestrian transportation network is a critical component of an overall strategy to create a sustainable future for Sonoma County, create healthy well designed communities, and meet the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction standards established under the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB32).

In 2005, transportation accounted for 42% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Sonoma County, with the average passenger vehicle emitting 5.7 tons of carbon per year. From 1990 to 2007, the County has seen transportation related GHG emissions increase by 55%. Bicycling and walking are the only transportation modes that have essentially zero carbon emissions, but account for less than 3% of all trips within Sonoma County3. The 2010 Sonoma County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (Bikeways Plan) establishes an objective to increase this share to 5% of all trips and 10% of trips less than five miles long in the unincorporated areas of the County, which will reduce the County’s carbon footprint by approximately 82,000 tons per year.

In addition to environmental benefits, the Bikeways Plan will improve health and quality of life for the residents of Sonoma County. Walking and bicycling are the most popular forms of recreational activity in the United States, in a large part due to low expense and relative convenience as compared to most other recreational exercise. Sonoma County’s mild climate, varied terrain, and natural beauty create exceptional opportunities for recreational walking and cycling.

Under provisions of the California Bicycle Transportation Act, Sonoma County adopted the Sonoma County Bikeways Plan in 1997 and incorporated the 1997 Bikeways Plan goal, objectives and polices into the Sonoma County General Plan. The 2010 Bikeways Plan represents the first major update to the original 1997 plan.

The Bikeways Plan establishes policies programs and design standards for bicycle and pedestrian facilities in order to make bicycling and walking in Sonoma County safe, comfortable, and convenient, with a goal of increasing the use of non-motorized transportation. The Bikeways Plan is intended to comply with funding eligibility requirements of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC),

Transportation Development Act Article 3, and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Bicycle Transportation Account requirements.

This update of the Bikeways Plan was developed over the course of several years through efforts of the Sonoma County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Sonoma County Permit and Resource Management staff, Sonoma County Transportation and Public Works staff, Sonoma County Regional Parks staff, and input from the public through a series of four public workshops held throughout the County. 

In a 2006 poll conducted by Sonoma County Transportation Authority, safety was identified as the primary reason people were reluctant to abandon their cars in favor of walking or bicycling. Even for those who already choose to walk or bicycle, safety is an on-going concern. However, it is important to separate perceived dangers from actual safety hazards.

Riding a bicycle on the street is commonly perceived as unsafe because of the exposure to heavier and faster moving automobiles, trucks and buses. This perception is contradicted by accident statistics, which show that motorists and bicyclists have similar rates of accident-related injury and death based on numbers of users and miles traveled. Cyclists are found at fault in the majority of accidents involving fatalities, with riding against traffic or ignoring stop signs and red lights being the most common causes. The majority of non-life threatening injury accidents involve loss of control, or collisions with other bicyclists or pedestrians rather than collisions with automobiles.

It should be noted there is an important demographic difference between bicyclists and automobiles. Licensing restricts driving privileges to people at least 16 years old, while significant numbers of younger children ride bicycles. The accident rate of bicyclists under 16 years old is almost 800% higher than the rate for experienced adult bicyclists.

While safety should never be compromised when selecting and designing bicycle facilities, it is clear that education and training for both bicyclists and drivers is a critical component to make bicycling as safe as possible. As noted above, the need for education and training is especially important for younger children.

Personal safety is often a concern for users of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, especially Class I facilities and sidewalks. Care must be taken to design these facilities to encourage “eyes on the street” by avoiding opaque fencing, and maintaining good sightlines between the bikeway and nearby development. Bikeway users should feel comfortable and welcome using these facilities at all times of the day and night.

Walking and bicycling are the most energy efficient modes of transportation. When all energy inputs are considered, walking or bicycling to work will consume less than 1% of the energy used by the most fuel efficient automobile. Given that transportation accounts for almost half of carbon emissions generated in Sonoma County, even small mode shifts away from automobiles to walking and bicycling will create significant reductions in the County’s carbon footprint.

The potential benefits of walking and bicycling are greatest when considering trips of two miles or less. Not only are people more likely to walk or bicycle on shorter trips, but automobiles generate a disproportionate amount of pollution when used for very short trips. For example, when driving less than one mile, engine startup accounts for 60% of the total emissions. A 2006 study by Analy High School students revealed that 40 percent of students who live less than one mile from the Sebastopol campus drive alone to school. Although Sonoma countywide data isn’t available, nationally, 13 percent of trips are less than one-half-mile, considered to be a comfortable walking distance, and over one-third of trips are within convenient bicycling distance, less than three miles long. As more motor vehicle trips are replaced with bicycling and walking, Sonoma County’s air will become cleaner, and the County will contribute less to global climate change, making measurable progress towards meeting its greenhouse gas reduction goal.

Increased walking and bicycling will also reduce the need to increase road capacity and provide parking. This will not only reduce emissions associated with road construction, but also decrease the amount of impervious surface in the County, improving water quality and reducing flooding. 

Greater use of bicycling and walking for transportation and recreation has the potential to create a wide range of health benefits not only for bicyclist and pedestrians, but for all citizens of Sonoma County.

In recent years, researchers have documented a high correlation between communities designed primarily with cars in mind and a level of physical activity far below recommended levels. Physical activity is essential for the cardio-vascular health, flexibility and overall fitness and well-being of all Sonoma County residents.

On the other hand, physical inactivity often results in the tendency to be overweight or obese, conditions that have increased dramatically over the past two decades in Sonoma County and throughout the US. Obesity is now widely understood to play a significant role in the most common chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes—each of which is a leading cause of death in Sonoma County. By providing more opportunities to walk and bike for transportation and exercise, bicycle and pedestrian facilities can help to reverse this trend and create a healthier population.

In California, physical inactivity costs almost $16 billion annually in medical care, lost employee productivity and worker's compensation costs. Walking or bicycling to work can often provide all the exercise needed to gain a prolonged health benefit. Walking and bicycling maintains strength and flexibility needed to sustain the mobility of older adults and assists people of all ages with weight control and overall fitness.

In addition to improved physical health, active people tend to enjoy better mental health, according to the US Surgeon General. Compared with inactive people, the physically active—defined as those who get at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity daily (such as a brisk walk or bike ride)—score higher on tests for positive self-concept, more self-esteem, and more positive "moods" and "affects." Physically active people also seem to have better perceived ability to perform activities of daily living, physical well-being and other measures related to quality of life. A few studies even suggest that more-active lifestyles may be linked with higher levels of alertness and mental ability, including the ability to learn. 

Walking and bicycling in lieu of driving can also enhance mental health in other ways. These modes allow Sonoma County residents to avoid the stresses of traffic congestion and parking and provide opportunities for chance encounters in the course of an evening stroll or walk to the market, school or public transit, which builds a sense of community for everyone

Fuel, maintenance, insurance, depreciation and parking add up to almost 15 percent of the average household’s income. The high cost of car ownership is especially burdensome for Sonoma County residents who are too young, cannot afford or are unable to drive. Having safe walking and bicycling facilities, including convenient access to public transit, ensures that all residents have access to viable modes of transportation.

An overall benefit is created by a healthier population. As mentioned above, physical activity improves overall health and well being, which reduces health care costs and improves overall productivity.

Bicycle races, organized tours, and a unique combination of mild climate, challenging topography, spectacular scenery, and an extensive network of rural roads have given Sonoma County an international reputation as a bicycling vacation destination. Events such as the Tour of California, Wine Country Century and the Gran Fondo attract tens of thousands of visitors each year, generating income for Sonoma County’s hospitality industry. Creating walkable and bikeable areas in unincorporated communities further enhances Sonoma County’s tourism industry. 

A majority of State and Federal funding for construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities is programmed through MTC and Caltrans. Additional local funding is available as part of Measure M, which is administered by the Sonoma County Transportation Authority.

MTC Resolution No. 875 requires cities and counties to establish a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and prepare a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian facilities plan in order to be eligible for funding programmed by MTC, including Transportation Development Act Article 3 funds. Caltrans requires the adopted plan to be updated on a four year cycle in order to be eligible for Bicycle Transportation Account funding.

In order to meet these requirements, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 93-0136 on February 2, 1993 established the Sonoma County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). The Board appointed Committee is charged with recommending policy and project priorities to the Board in order to develop and maintain the Sonoma County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. This Bikeways Plan serves to meet State and Federal requirements for funding eligibility.

The purposes of the Sonoma County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan are to:

• Assess the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians throughout Sonoma County and identify improvements and implementation strategies that will encourage more people to walk and bicycle;
• Provide a safe, convenient non-motorized transportation network that will help Sonoma County reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment by providing an alternative to the automobile.
• Provide eligibility for various funding programs, including the State Bicycle Transportation Account;
• Act as a resource and coordinating document for local actions and regional projects; and
• Participate in providing data to the Sonoma County Transportation Authority that will support creation of a regional Geographic Information System database that will be used for regional bicycle and pedestrian planning.

Sources

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publication EPA420-F-05-004.
• Climate Protection Campaign Sonoma County GHG Inventory 2005, San Francisco Bay Area Vehicle Miles of Travel (VMT)
• Population and Employment, 1990-2030 (MTC).
• US Census American Community Survey 2005 Data.
• Based on EPA publication EPA420-F-05-004 methodology. Assumes a weighted fleet efficiency of 20.3 mpg based using 2008 EPA passenger car and light truck data.
• California Highway Patrol State Wide Integrated Traffic Records System. Sonoma County collision data for 2002-2006.
• Forester, J., Bicycle Transportation, MIT Press, 1994
• Center for Energy and Environmental Studies IVEM of the University of Groningen. Automobile efficiency is based on 2010 Toyota Prius (51 city mpg)
• SCTA Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan