‘Active Tyler’ Plan Focuses On A More Walk And Bike Friendly City

Like many of you, I've been focusing a bit more on fitness over the last several months. I walk around the neighborhood or go to the gym, which is great. At the same time, I've had thoughts about how cool it would be to ride a bike to run some errands at businesses fairly close to home. Ya know, incorporating more fit bit steps into one's every day life. ;)

Interestingly enough, there has been a growing trend as of late to create more of a city infrastructure conducive to "active transportation." For example, Fort Worth recently has taken steps to do this there with great effect.

What is active transportation? A simple definition would be any type of transportation that is human-powered. So, walking or biking, for example. So would pogo-ing down pathways count? Hmm.. I'll have to check.

The City of Tyler is currently focusing on plans to create an infrastructure that is more conducive to allowing residents to travel, especially short distances, without having to drive. The Active Tyler website describes the plan as the intention "to help establish a clear vision for short- and long-term projects that are needed to build a safer, more connected, and equitable active transportation system for the Greater Tyler Area. So that means It doesn't just include Tyler "proper," but also Bullard, Whitehouse,Lindale, and Troup. This has come more to the forefront as more and more people move to the area and a focus on improved infrastructure is necessary.

The goal is that the plan will become a guide for the folks in charge of planning to well, plan, of course...but also fund ]\

the building of more "trail, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities" for Tyler and subsequently the additional municipal areas. The hope is that the plan will make it easier for municipalities to team up and work together to create and support active transportation.

I'm curious: If there was a greater network of trails and bike paths, do you think you'd be more likely to walk or bike a little more often?