(Fayetteville, N.C.) – The City of Fayetteville will receive assistance with bicycle planning, thanks to a grant awarded this month by the N.C. Department of Transportation.

With an increasing population and a desire for accessible and connected multi-modal transportation options, the demand for more walkable and bikeable communities shows the need for local planning assistance to make this a reality.

“As a part of City Council’s Strategic Planning process, they identified the development of a comprehensive bicycle plan as a priority,” said Lee Jernigan, City Traffic Engineer. “We are excited to receive these grant funds that will allow us to begin the planning process. This plan will complement the City’s soon-to-be completed comprehensive pedestrian plan, thereby providing an overall vision for biking and walking improvements in our community.”

Recipients were selected from a pool of 23 applications by an awards committee comprised of representatives from regional planning organizations and councils of government, local governments, health professionals and N.C. DOT staff from multiple units.

Plans funded are not for one specific project, but represent a comprehensive strategy for expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities within a given municipality. These plans address facilities, programs, services and regulations that encourage safe walking and bicycling. Now in its 15th year, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant program has awarded over $5 million for 193 community plans.

For more information on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative, contact the Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation through contacts listed at https://www.ncdot.gov/bikeped/contact/ or visit the Planning Grant Initiative website at https://connect.ncdot.gov/municipalities/PlanningGrants/Pages/Planning-Grant-Initiative.aspx.