BELFAST — When you hear the word “transportation,” you may think first of planes, trains, and automobiles, according to the City of Belfast, in a news release. But walking, cycling, and rolling in a wheelchair are also practical ways of getting from place to place, especially in compact communities like in-town Belfast. Now the City of Belfast has begun a groundbreaking initiative to improve and expand its pedestrian and bicycle transportation network citywide.

Belfast is working with the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Street Plans, an internationally recognized urban planning, design, architecture, and transportation planning practice, to develop an Active Transportation and Accessibility Plan that will guide the creation of safer streets and more dynamic public spaces in the Midcoast city.

“Making it safer and more pleasant to get around without a car improves physical and mental health, helps kids learn independence, makes for a more vibrant community, and saves money — while also reducing traffic and freeing up parking for those who do drive,” said Bruce Snider, an avid cyclist and the chair of Belfast’s Pedestrian, Transportation, and Accessibility Committee. “It’s good for people, good for the environment, and good for business.”

Funded by the City of Belfast, with a matching grant awarded through MDOT’s Planning Partnership Initiative, the planning process will aim first to understand the needs and aspirations of Belfast residents regarding active, or human-powered, transportation.

Street Plans will use an on-the-ground approach — including walking and cycling explorations of the city, a sidewalk survey, and numerous opportunities for public input — to best understand Belfast’s existing infrastructure and future needs and create a realistic plan of action.

The ultimate goal is to ensure “a future of safer roads, increased quality of life, and a stronger local economy where residents and visitors have meaningful recreation and transportation options,” said Mike Lydon, co-founder of Street Plans and a Damariscotta native.

In recent years, the City of Belfast, with the help of its Pedestrian, Transportation, and Accessibility Committee, has identified and addressed various active transportation challenges. Notable improvements include the introduction of bike lanes on Northport Avenue and Main Street, a multi-use path at Wales Park, upgrades to the surface of the Harbor Walk, and strategic signage initiatives promoting safe shared road and trail usage.

The new project’s scope encompasses the entirety of Belfast, with a particular focus on Route 1 crossings, facilitating safe, accessible connections between urban and rural zones, and expanding active transportation facilities outward from downtown. The resulting plan document will serve as a blueprint for the evolution and management of Belfast’s active transportation network in the future.

“Robust engagement with Belfast pedestrians, cyclists, and other residents will be a crucial part of the planning process,” said the City.

For more information, contact Bruce Snider at bdeansnider@gmail.com or Bub Fournier, director of code and planning for the City of Belfast at (207) 338-3370, ext. 135