Process and Public Engagement Plan
for Active Transportation/FUTS Master Plans
with the City of Flagstaff
By
Emily Melhorn
A Practicum Report
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master of Science
In Applied Geospatial Sciences
Northern Arizona University
Department of Geography, Planning and Recreation
December 2019
Approved by
Alan Lew, Ph.D., AICP, Committee Chair
Dawn Hawley, Ph.D.
Martin Ince, Multi-Modal Transportation Planner, City of Flagstaff
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 1
Abstract
The City of Flagstaff will continue to experience an increase in population growth for multiple
reasons, including high quality of life, student population growth, and retirees migrating on a
more permanent basis to Flagstaff for its cooler temperatures. The City of Flagstaff also
experiences a year-round short-term population increase as a result of tourist attractions in
Flagstaff and surrounding areas. These patterns have led to increased traffic congestion. The
City of Flagstaff’s Active Transportation/FUTS Master Plans’ goals are to shift current and
growing population’s transportation modes from single-occupancy vehicles to increased
walking and biking that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and meet other
stated goals of the Flagstaff Regional Plan: 2030 Place Matters (City of Flagstaff, Comprehensive
Planning, 2014). Public engagement is essential to a vibrant active transportation planning
process. Public engagement in a traditional top-down planning process helps to inform
priorities for infrastructure and improve the physical barriers for walking and biking. Public
participation that seeks to engage the community from a grass-roots approach helps to
understand the cultural barriers to walking and biking, as well what motivates residents to
switch from a vehicle-dominated mode of transportation. The City of Flagstaff public
engagement plan chose to reach the community in both top-down and grass-roots approaches.
During the period of June through December 2017, the City of Flagstaff public engagement plan
conducted surveys, held events and summits, utilized social media and infographic techniques,
and worked with other community groups to promote a culture of and increase walking and
biking in Flagstaff.
Keywords: public participation, engagement, place-making, place making, active
transportation, walking, biking, transit
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 2
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 3
Table of Contents
Abstract ..........................................................................................................................................1
Letter of Significant Contribution .................................................................................................. 2
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 5
Background and Purpose..............................................................................................................11
Objectives .................................................................................................................................. 11
Justification ..................................................................................................................................12
Policy Review ...............................................................................................................................12
Benefits of Active Transportation ............................................................................................... 14
Environmental Benefits.................................................................................................................15
Health Benefits ............................................................................................................................ 17
Economic Benefits ....................................................................................................................... 19
Equity Benefits ............................................................................................................................ 22
Quality of Life Benefits ................................................................................................................ 25
Other Information in Peer City Master Plans .............................................................................. 27
Design and Implementation .........................................................................................................28
Communication Tools ................................................................................................................. 29
Community Surveys .................................................................................................................... 31
Walking-Biking-Trail Summits ..................................................................................................... 32
Tabling Events ............................................................................................................................. 34
Flagstaff Walks!.............................................................................................................................35
PAC/BAC Meetings ...................................................................................................................... 35
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 4
Stakeholder Interviews ............................................................................................................... 36
Results and Discussion ................................................................................................................ 36
Further Outreach Recommendations ......................................................................................... 37
Further Infrastructure Recommendations .................................................................................. 40
Further Surveying Recommendations…………………....................................................................... 42
Flagstaff Walks! Events Reflection .............................................................................................. 43
Making the Case Reflection ......................................................................................................... 44
Active Transportation Summits Reflection ................................................................................. 46
Reflection on Equity ................................................................................................................... 49
Funding Active Transportation Reflection .................................................................................. 51
Works Cited ..................................................................................................................................54
Appendix A: Public Participation Draft ....................................................................................... 59
Appendix B: Draft Goals and Strategy Surveys ........................................................................... 67
Appendix C: Facilities Voting Map Results .................................................................................. 71
Appendix D: Stakeholders ........................................................................................................... 74
Appendix E: Stakeholder Survey ................................................................................................. 77
Figures and Tables
Figure 1: Cover of City of Flagstaff Bike Plan 1980 ........................................................................8
Figure 2: Cover of City of Flagstaff Bicycle Plan 1991 ................................................................... 8
Figure 3: Flagstaff Transect Zones .................................................................................................9
Table 1: Matrix of Master Plans................................................................................................... 13
Figure 4: Four Types of Cyclists.................................................................................................... 16
Figure 5: Health and Economic Infographic ................................................................................ 17
Figure 6: Facebook Post Health Benefits .................................................................................... 18
Figure 7: Facebook Post Economic Benefits ................................................................................20
Figure 8: FUT Facebook Cover Image ......................................................................................... 21
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Figure 9: Facebook Post Economic Benefits ...............................................................................21
Figure 10: Facebook Post for Small Business Saturday ............................................................... 22
Figure 11: Image on Equity Issues .............................................................................................. 23
Figure 12: Facebook post on Equity Issues ................................................................................ 24
Figure 13: Image on Quality of Life Issues ................................................................................. 25
Figure 14: Facebook post on Quality of Life Issues .................................................................... 26
Figure 15: Facebook post on HOH meeting …............................................................................. 29
Figure 16: Facebook post on Black Friday ……............................................................................. 30
Figure 17: Infographic on FUTS trails user survey results ……..................................................... 31
Figure 18: Goals and Strategies Results ……................................................................................ 32
Figure 19: Flyer for November 1
st
Summit ……............................................................................ 32
Figure 20: Flyer for November 15th Summit ……......................................................................... 32
Figure 21: Results Map of Public Priority of Crossings …….......................................................... 33
Figure 22: Dot Voting System ……................................................................................................ 33
Figure 23: Photo of Vision Board ……........................................................................................... 33
Figure 24: Photo of Tabling Event ……......................................................................................... 34
Figure 25: Poster of Flagstaff Walks! Events ……......................................................................... 34
Figure 26: Facebook post about Public Art Events ……................................................................ 35
Figure 27: Meet Me Downtown inaugural flyer ….……................................................................ 43
Figure 28: Facebook post with walking quote by Edward Abbey ….……...................................... 44
Figure 29: Facebook post with biking quote by Anon ……………….….……...................................... 45
Figure 30: Photo from November 1
st
Summit …………………………..….……...................................... 48
Figure 31: Flagstaff Citizens’ Transportation Tax Commission flyer ……………………………………..… 50
Figure 32: F3 Position on Proposition 419 …………………………………….……………………………………..… 51
Figure 33: Proposition 419 Logo …………….…………………………………….……………………………………..… 52
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 6
Introduction
Flagstaff, Arizona is the largest city in Northern Arizona and has within this last decade
seen increased traffic congestion. Flagstaff is the site of one of three universities in the state,
Northern Arizona University (NAU). Flagstaff has city, county, and regional offices for the area
that employ thousands of people. It is home to many scientific research facilities including
Lowell Observatory, The U.S. Naval Observatory, and The United States Geological Survey
(USGS) Flagstaff Station. It also serves as a regional hub for manufacturing like Joy Cone, Purina,
and W.L. Gore. Flagstaff’s estimated population as of 2017 is 69,903 (U.S. Census Bureau,
Population Division, 2017). From 2010 to 2017, the City of Flagstaff’s population grew by 9%
(U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 2017).
There is also a seasonal nature to living in Flagstaff for many community members,
which is not entirely represented in official census counts that help influence transportation
decisions. NAU’s current student population in Flagstaff is 22,791 (Arizona Board of Regents,
2019). This decade from 2010, NAU’s Flagstaff enrollment increased 23% (Northern Arizona
University, 2018). While students live and spend the vast majority of their time in Flagstaff, for
emotional and financial reasons, or just a general lack of awareness, they might be counted by
the census in their hometowns (Cohn, 2010).
Flagstaff also has a seasonal population of vacation home owners; most who buy these
homes to reside in Flagstaff in the summer months for its cooler temperatures than many other
parts of Arizona and the Southwest. Flagstaff’s closest major metropolitan cities of Las Vegas,
Phoenix, and Tucson are the fastest increasing temperature cities in the nation (Climate
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 7
Central, 2019). As these warming trends continue, the “summer” home in Flagstaff is
increasingly used as the primary residence for a large portion of spring and fall as well.
And lastly, Flagstaff has five and half million year-round visitors coming to the area to
experience its outdoor and cultural attractions, the Arizona Snowbowl, historic Route 66, as
well as using Flagstaff as a base to visit nearby Grand Canyon National Park, Sedona and Oak
Creek Canyon, and other Northern Arizona attractions. In a three-year period from 2014-2015
until 2017-2018, Flagstaff saw its visitation grow 27% (Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau,
2018). With these many different types of growth: general population growth, increased
student enrollment, seasonal residents staying longer, and more tourism have all led to a
remarked increase in traffic congestion on both major and minor corridors in Flagstaff. In
addition to more traffic congestion, it also means increased difficulties in finding parking
spaces. These car-related aggravations and costs associated with more idling and parking have
led to the perception of decreased quality of life for those Flagstaff residents still firmly
committed to traveling by automobile for all their transportation needs.
There are many reasons why U.S. urban planners in the 21st century have placed
greater emphasis on active transportation planning, which includes walking, biking, and transit.
Active transportation can mitigate the obesity epidemic, reduce pollution and impacts of
climate change, creates greater equity among citizens’ transportation options as income
disparity increases, spurs economic development, is more cost-effective than automobile-
based planning, and fosters more human-scale place-making, which strengthens community
ties and reduces road-rage and neighborhood criminal activity.
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Figure 2: Cover of City of Flagstaff 1991 Bicycle Plan
The City of Flagstaff has shown its support of active
transportation in various ways since the 1980s. Flagstaff
created its first Bike Plan in 1980 and updated it in 1991
(City of Flagstaff, 1980, 1991). The original Flagstaff Urban
Trails System (FUTS) started as a proposed 3.2-mile plan
recommended by an ad hoc committee (City of Flagstaff,
1988). The Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization
(FMPO) was created in September 1996 after Flagstaff
reached the required 50,000 people. The FMPO was
forward-thinking by hiring a Multi-Modal planner to be
inclusive of all transportation needs. The FMPO included
active transportation needs like bike lanes, more FUTS
trails, and completed sidewalks in the proposed projects
for the first-ever transportation tax passed by Flagstaff
residents in 2000. The “Transportation Decision 2000” 20-
year transportation tax helped expand the FUTS trail
system from 22 miles to over 50 miles (FMPO, 2017).
The City of Flagstaff has also supported active transportation through zoning changes. In
2011, the Flagstaff City Council adopted a revised Zoning Code with form-based districts to
promote transit- and pedestrian-oriented infill redevelopment (Forms-Based Code Institute,
2017). In new developments, the Comprehensive Planning for the City of Flagstaff is
Figure 1: Cover of City of Flagstaff 1980 Bike Plan
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 9
incentivizing reduced parking
spaces in exchange for free bus
passes for residents, more bike
parking, and other such measures
to help promote an active
transportation lifestyle.
However, despite Flagstaff’s
measures to foster more walking
and biking, there are many barriers to making active transportation the primary form of
transportation in this and many other communities. Some of the barriers are physical; the
infrastructure of a community may not support walking, biking, and public transit that is safe
and convenient. Insufficient infrastructure could be a lack of sidewalks, separated crossings,
bike lanes and paths, bike parking, lighting at night, places to sit to wait for the bus, adequate
shelter from weather, timely snow and ice removal, frequent and consistent bus routes along
major and minor corridors, or even a lack of density and mixed-use neighborhood amenities
that facilitate active transportation. Another physical barrier that hinders active transportation
is automobile-dominated infrastructure that makes driving easier through free parking, wide
roads, turning lanes, high speed limits, traffic lights oriented towards automobiles, as well as
low-density Euclidian zoning that encourages driving.
Other barriers to active transportation are cultural: parents who don’t want their
children walking or biking to school for fear of kidnapping, people who associate active
Figure 3: Flagstaff Transect Zones
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 10
transportation with poverty, businesses that do not offer flexible start-times or changing
facilities for employees wishing to use active transportation, physical abilities, weather-related
hurdles like rain, snow, and hot weather, and a rushed culture which sees the automobile as
one of the enduring symbols of American freedom.
For many of these barriers, active transportation planners have taken a top-down
approach to creating better infrastructure that facilitates walking, biking, and public transit. It is
a mentality that states, “If we build it, they will come” (or walk, bike, and take public transit).
Public participation and community input can be viewed as a mandatory obligation, a box to be
checked in the planning process. While this approach may improve the physical barriers and
infrastructure, it rarely addresses the cultural barriers or appropriately prioritizes the needs of
the entire community, including those who could be motivated to walk and bike more if proper
incentives are in place. This applied practicum research asks whether active transportation
planning that also embraces a grass-roots approach to community outreach and input will
increase rates of walking, biking, and public transit, as well as strengthen the community’s
commitment to active transportation infrastructure and strategic partnerships that will make
active transportation more safe and convenient. From the time since this applied practicum
research, I also realized the importance of having a funding source in place to address physical
infrastructure barriers and educational programs for cultural barriers. The public participation
outreach should have emphasized getting more active transportation enthusiasts on the
transportation tax commission that determined funding priorities for all forms of transportation
from 2020 to 2040. The sales tax for transportation heavily favors roads and leaves $101 million
unfunded for active transportation out of the $130 million needed to implement the Active
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 11
Transportation Master Plan. Getting input from the community is important, but holds less
significance if there is no means to fund that community vision.
Background and Purpose
This applied research practicum is focused on increasing walking and biking in Flagstaff
through a public engagement plan that emphasizes grass-roots place-making as a means to
engage the community. Previous iterations of the public engagement plan relied almost
exclusively on traditional top-down approaches to collecting public input, such as surveys and
lecture-style open houses where priority was communicating plans to the already-converted
public. While this top-down approach is still important to receive input from the public who
already regularly walk and bike as a primary mode of transportation, this applied research
practicum’s purpose was also to engage the public who might be interested in active
transportation, but have not yet embraced it for a variety of physical and cultural barriers.
Objectives
Public participation policies for the City of Flagstaff were adopted in 2012 through
Resolution 2012-39, which established the goals of clarity, transparency, and two-way
communication in the public participation process. These objectives consisted of five levels of
public engagement (City of Flagstaff, Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization, 2019):
Inform to provide the public with balanced and objective information to assist them in
understanding the problems, alternatives and/or solutions
Consult to obtain public feedback on analysis, alternatives and/or decisions
Involve to work directly with the public throughout the process to ensure that public
issues and concerns are consistently understood and considered.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 12
Collaborate to partner with the public in each aspect of the decision including the
development of alternatives and the identification of the preferred solution
Empower to place final decision-making in the hands of the public.
Justification
As traffic congestion has the potential to increase dramatically through both population
growth and increased tourism activities, Flagstaff has the opportunity to reduce congestion and
its negative impacts, including air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced physical and
mental well-being from sitting in traffic, by building the infrastructure for a more walking and
biking friendly environment. Through events, education outreach, and collaboration with
community groups, the benefits of active transportation can be more easily realized to the
public as infrastructure improves.
Policy Review
The literature review for this applied practicum research includes the active
transportation master plans of peer communities that have greater rates of participation than
Flagstaff, as well as a few communities that are well-known for their biking and walking culture.
Some of the cities separate their pedestrian and biking into two plans, and I reviewed both for
ideas, programs, and strategies that might improve the walking and biking culture in Flagstaff.
From these plans, I also further researched their source data to find additional information or
confirm accuracy. The table on the following page shows the different plans reviewed and key
points used during the internship.
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Table 1: Matrix of Master Plans reviewed during internship
Master Plan Year Bike/Ped Key points used in internship
City of Fort Collins Pedestrian
Plan
2011 Pedestrian
Used health information and
environmental statistics from plan
City of Fort Collins Bicycle Master
Plan
2014 Bicyle
Used health statistics, safety in
numbers statistics, parking costs,
stakeholder meeting with church group
Eugene Pedestrian and Bicycle
Master Plan
2012 Both
used definition of active transportation
Philadelphia Pedestrian and
Bicycle Plan
2012 Both
Greenplan open space program
City of San Diego Bicycle Master
Plan
2013 Bicyle
used mental health information, costs
of bike vs. car, tourism
Pima Association of Governments
Regional Pedestrian Plan
2014 Pedestrian
visual graphics were repurposed
Tucson Regional Plan for Bicycling 2009 Bicyle
reviewed as example of master plan
with no benefits section
Bellingham Bicycle Master Plan 2014 Bicyle recruiting businesses information
Bellingham Pedestrian Master
Plan
2012 Pedestrian
quality of life information
City of Davis Bicycle Action Plan 2014 Bicycle history section and structure of plan
City of Santa Cruz Active
Transportation Plan
2017 Both
title name, 4 different types of riders
City of Boulder Transportation
Master Plan
2014 Both
5 "E's" sections, visual graphics
City of Boulder Transportation
Master Plan Action Plan
2014 Both
example of short summary of plan
City of San Luis Obispo Bicycle
Transportation Plan
2013 Bicyle
used summits as template, car costs,
plan itself difficult to read visually and
too much history
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 14
Benefits of Active Transportation
In reviewing these master plans, my research also involved compiling and analyzing how
peer cities communicated the benefits of walking and biking. The benefits of walking and biking
are an integral part of implementing short and long-term planning for bike and pedestrian
infrastructure. With the realities of limited funding within municipalities, the case must be
made for why these projects and infrastructure warrant priority in the goals of the city.
These benefits can also be used in public engagement through social media, websites, and at
various events to make the case for why the public would benefit from walking and biking
more. Through the literature review research of the peer city master plans, the following
Activate Missoula 2045: Bicycle
Facilities Master Plan
2017 Bicyle
safety in numbers and environmental
information, benefits table
Laramie County Comprehensive
Plan
2016 Neither
no active transportation master plan,
not fantastic infrastructure, but their
rates higher than Flagstaff
Chico Urban Area Bicycle Plan 2012 Bicyle
reviewed as example of master plan
with no benefits section
Logan City Bicycle and Pedestrian
Master Plan
2015 Both
had very different benefits categories:
safety, winter air quality, college
campus
Bend Metropolitan Planning
Organization: 2040 Metropolitan
Transportation Plan
2014 Both
one mile walk, three mile bike data, air
quality information
Benton County Transportation
System Plan: Bicycle and
Pedestrian Plan
2001 Both
used economic statistics
Bike Buzz: All Users: Bicycling in
Pocatello and Chubbuk
2012 Bicyle
used health statistics
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 15
categories of benefits consistently were listed: Health Benefits, Environmental Benefits, Equity
Benefits, Economic Benefits, and Quality of Life Benefits.
Environmental Benefits
The environmental benefits of walking and biking can greatly contribute to reduced
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to help mitigate the impacts of climate change and improve
air quality in a community. Transportation that uses fossil fuels account for the largest source of
many GHG emissions in the country, with the City of Davis (2014) contributing 57% of its GHG
emissions from transportation (City of Davis, p.12). The Fort Collins Pedestrian Plan (2011)
states that transportation is responsible for nearly 80% of carbon monoxide and 50% of
nitrogen oxide emissions in the United States (Fort Collins, p. 16). While many scientific
communities, health organizations, and government agencies, including the United Nations
(2019), agree that climate change is the greatest systemic threat to humankind, I chose not to
highlight the benefits of reducing this risk in the “Making the Case for Walking and Biking”
paper or through social media, websites, and at public outreach events.
My decision not to emphasize the environmental benefits was for several reasons.
According to American Psychological Association data from 2018, 29% of people in the United
States still are not certain that climate change is happening or is primarily human-caused. Half
of the population doesn’t think they will personally be harmed by climate change, and only five
percent think we are capable of reducing global warming (Winerman, p. 80). Denial,
uncertainty, lack of perceived immediacy, and an overall sense of futility are the narratives that
dominate Americans’ thoughts and conversations about climate change.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 16
A strategy to highlight the environmental benefits of active transportation might
provide hope and motivation to a small percentage of the Flagstaff community to walk and bike
more, particularly on a cold, busy, or otherwise inconvenient day. However, this
communication mostly would serve as a reminder to the group identified as “Enthused and
Confidentby the City of Santa Cruz Active Transportation Master Plan (2017, p 23).
This group already feels comfortable biking in most scenarios and make up no more
than 10% of a community’s population (City of Santa Cruz, 2017). To reach the not-yet-
converted, the “Interested but Concerned” that make up about 60% of a population (City of
Figure 4: Four Types of Cyclists. (2009). Roger Geller, City of Portland Bureau of Transportation
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 17
Santa Cruz, p. 23), the most effective encouragement would be the two benefits that
affect the largest portion of the population: health and economic benefits.
Health Benefits
The United States spent 3.65 trillion in health care costs in 2018 (Sherman), which was
18% of the total U.S. GDP (Bureau of Economic Analysis). Americans spent another 28.6 billion
on gym memberships (Galina, 2019), 3.86 billion on home fitness equipment (Statista 2018),
and 36.7 billion in dietary supplements in 2015 (Austin et al., 2017). And these figures do not
include the entire picture of what Americans are willing to spend in pursuit of better health.
Health and healthcare are big business in the United States. It is also the issue that is
most concerning to Americans, where 55%
say that they worry a great deal about
healthcare, more than other issues like the
economy, Social Security, the environment,
or federal spending (Norman, 2019). Active
transportation can help alleviate
healthcare costs and help make people
healthier through increasing physical activity, which has a significant influence on obesity rates
and chronic health issues.
While Coconino County’s rates of obesity (25%) are lower than the national average of
36.5%, Flagstaff currently benefits from short commute times of 15.9 minutes (Coconino Public
Health, 2016). This provides us with less sedentary time in the car, but also gives us more time
Figure 5: Infographic created to demonstrate health benefits of active
transportation
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 18
to take advantage of the outdoor recreational opportunities in the area to lead an active
lifestyle. However, as our vehicle commuting times increase, we will see a 1% increase in
obesity for every additional 10 minutes spent in the car (Lawrence et. al, 2004).
Walking and biking for transportation is an easy, convenient, and cost-effective way to
incorporate the recommended 30 minutes (60 minutes for children) of physical activity into
busy schedules. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also lists walking and biking
commuting as the safest way to get recommended physical activity (2008, p.36).
Figure 6: Facebook post discussing health benefits of walking and biking
Health problems related to physical inactivity result in increased medical costs for
families, the private sector, and the government. Quality Bike Products Health and Wellbeing
Program demonstrated in 2012 that bike commuters had $167.77 fewer medical claims per
year (64% less) than their car-commuting coworkers (Quality Bikes, p. 2). While there are
multiple factors that have contributed to the obesity epidemic in the United States, including
diets with more processed foods and larger portions, a sedentary lifestyle is a significant
contributor that can be reduced through active transportation.
Safety is a big issue for many of the “Interested but Concerned” 60% of the population
who could be compelled to embrace active transportation. And even though the U.S.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 19
Department of Health and Human Services listed active transportation as the safest form of
getting physical activity (less injuries overall), the perception of dangerous crashes with
automobiles needs to be addressed with a wary population, as these are more likely to cause
serious injury or fatality.
While more vehicles on a road lead to more vehicle crashes, the inverse is true for
pedestrians and bicyclists. Motorists normalize the presence of larger numbers of pedestrians
and bicyclists. Incorporating comfortable facilities for walking and biking can help reduce
crashes and make roadways safer for all users, including motorists. According to a Working for
Cycling 2007 study, doubling walkers and bikers on the streets leads to 34% fewer motor-
pedestrian crashes. Drivers have a greater awareness of bicyclists and pedestrians in larger
numbers and more bicyclists and pedestrians can advocate for safer, more comfortable
facilities. Promoting the health benefits, while adequately addressing safety concerns through
both education and infrastructure improvement can help incentivize larger portions of the
population to make the switch to active transportation.
Economic Benefits
When considering the economics of active transportation, three areas consistently
stood out for their benefits: money that people saved by utilizing active transportation, money
that municipalities saved by prioritizing active transportation over cars, and how the overall
local economy benefitted from a walking and biking friendly environment.
The money that people could save by utilizing more active transportation seemed particularly
important to Flagstaff residents. According to the 2015 Flagstaff census, 25.7% of Flagstaff are
at the poverty level and 42% pay more than a third of their income on housing. The San Luis
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 20
Figure 7 Facebook post on economic benefits
Obispo Bicycle Plan stated that
vehicle and transportation costs
are typically the second largest
expense, around 8-10% of the
household budget (2013, p.14).
In order to make financially
supporting active transportation
more appealing to the Flagstaff
population who otherwise want
smaller government, FMPO
communicated that active
transportation infrastructure is
both cheaper than road
maintenance, but also has an
added benefit of creating more
jobs.
Portland’s 350 miles of
bikeways cost $60 million to build. This is the same estimated cost of one mile of urban freeway
(Bicycles in Portland, 2016). Bikeways require much less pavement and maintenance costs than
roads geared toward automobiles. Not only do bike lanes and sidewalks cost less in materials
and maintenance than roads, but they also create more construction jobs, which cycles that
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 21
Figure 8: Facebook cover image November-December 2017
Figure 9: Facebook post on economic benefits
money back into the community. For every $1 million spent on roads, it creates 7.8 jobs. For
the same amount of money, bike lanes create 11.4 jobs, sidewalks create 10 jobs, and multi-use
(like the FUTS trails) creates 9.6 jobs (Garrett-Peltier, 2011).
Walking and biking transportation
add money to an economy,
particularly for local, small
businesses that are more likely to
be in pedestrian-friendly areas. For
every $100 spent at a local
business, $68 stays within the local
economy, compared to $30 with
national chains whose
infrastructure is typically not
conducive to walking and biking
(Massachusetts Government,
2013). Walking and biking can also
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 22
Figure 10: Facebook post that tied Small Business Saturday to active transportation
be tourism activities in their own
right. Bicycling generates more
than $100 billion a year to the U.S.
economy. It supports nearly 1.1
million jobs and generates nearly
$20 billion in federal, state, and
local tax revenues, as well as
billions spent on meals,
transportation, lodging, gifts and
entertainment during bike trips
and tours (Flusche, 2012).
According to an Urban Land Institute Study in 2016, over half of working-age people are
choosing walkability as the top or high priority in where to live, businesses who want to hire
skilled employees are also looking at walkability in where to locate their next office branch. In
the last five years, businesses that have registered as “Bicycle Friendly Businesses” has more
than tripled, including many Fortune 500 companies offering high-paying careers (League of
American Bicyclists, 2017).
With monetary savings for residents and for government, as well as attracting new
employment and keeping more money circulating in the local economy, the economic benefits
of active transportation offer a compelling case to prioritize its funding even among skeptical
crowds.
Equity Benefits
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 23
The FMPO has an active interest in equity
issues and how to make active transportation
more accessible to Flagstaff’s vulnerable
populations. The challenge in public
communications is to speak about equity in a
manner that also feels relevant to the entire
community.
Although it is estimated nationwide
that 30% of the population cannot drive, Flagstaff has a similar mix of people who are not old
enough to drive, have a possible reduced capacity to drive, or do not have access to a car.
According to the 2015 Census, 23.8% of the population of Flagstaff are under 15 or over 65,
who might have reduced vision and other functions that might hinder driving abilities. Also
3.5% reported having no access to a car. There is not census data on people who never learned
to drive. These groups would benefit from active transportation.
According to a Smart Growth America study, non-driving seniors make 65% fewer trips
to visit family and friends or to church; many report they do not like to ask for rides, particularly
for social, “non-essential” trips. More than half of older adults would walk, bike, or take public
transit more if there are adequate sidewalks, safer short crossings, and adequate, comfortable
seating when waiting at a bus stop (Smart Growth America, p 2). Increasing the comfort, ease,
and safety of walking, biking, and public transit will encourage seniors to be more active, social,
and engaged with the community, to receive adequate access to health care and social services,
and an overall increase in quality of life that can permit more seniors to age in their homes.
Figure 11: Image on equity issues
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 24
Figure 12: Facebook post on equity issues
Walking and biking to school has drastically decreased in the later part of the 20th
century, from 50% in 1969 to 15% in 2001. The distance to school remains relatively
unchanged, but perceptions of letting children walk to school (particularly unaccompanied)
have changed (Active Living Research, 2015). More parents are driving their kids to school as a
result, creating more congestion and stress as parents are also trying to get to work on time.
Parents think that they are doing what is best for their children by driving them. However,
children who walk or bike to school are better able to concentrate, perform better on cognitive
skills tests, and experience a
greater level of self-reliance
(Goodyear, 2013). There are also
fifteen charter schools in the
Flagstaff area that are changing
the landscape of how students can
feasibly get to school since their
enrollment is not location-based.
Creating infrastructure that fosters
safety, as well as education for
children on safe walking and biking
habits, like the Safe Schools
program, are good steps towards
increasing active transportation
rates. Although Mountainline has rerouted certain routes or even changed transit times to
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 25
Figure 13: Image of Quality of Life issues
accommodate some of the larger charter schools like Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy
and Basis, ridership by students remains low. A shift in cultural practices might also be
necessary to get walking and biking rates back to 50% for school age children.
There are many struggles both with infrastructure and on a cultural level to make active
transportation more appealing and accessible to seniors, children, and those at the poverty
level within the Flagstaff community. This is an area that the FMPO staff are dedicated to
improving and focusing on in the upcoming decades.
Quality of Life Benefits
Walkability and a bicycle-friendly environment are two
qualities that more people are generally starting to seek in the
places they choose to live. Only 8% of people wish to live in
neighborhoods where they need to drive all the time. The
common preference is walkability, whether that be in a small
town or urban center (APA, 2014). Residents want to become
more familiar and intimate with their community. Walkability heightens sense of community
through getting to know your neighbors, walkers, joggers, bikers, and trail users.
People are willing to pay for this preference, through either smaller or more expensive homes.
Homes that are close to trails and amenities in walking distance are valued between $4,000-
$34,000 more than homes with just average levels of walkability (Cortright, 2009).
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 26
This heightened sense of community also extends
to a reduction in criminal activity, which also is
another economic benefit as well as a quality of life
issue. Walking and biking promote activity on the
street, provide better opportunities to talk to and
get to know your neighbors, and create “eyes on
the street,” all of which help to discourage crime
and violence. Places that support compact, mixed-
use, walkable neighborhoods have lower crime
rates, particularly violent crimes (Browning et. al,
2010).
All five categories of benefits:
Environmental, Health, Economic, Equity, and
Quality of Life helped to frame how to
communicate with the public about active transportation and why it needs infrastructure and
program support. Through the review of the peer city master plans, I further researched their
source material to find new information about benefits. The peer city master plans also
provided ideas on where and how to collect data relevant to the Flagstaff community. These
categories of benefits helped determined which groups and organizations the FMPO could
build strategic partnerships with in Flagstaff to implement programs, as well as gather their
feedback through surveys and focus groups. The FMPO included organizations like Housing
Figure 14: Facebook post on Quality of life issues
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 27
Solutions and Northland Family Help Center along with more traditional allies like bike shops
and running groups.
Other Information in Peer City Master Plans
In the literature review of peer city master plans, I researched and evaluated the public
participation process for strategies to implement in Flagstaff. Some peer cities chose a lot of
public meetings and others utilized technology more to get input and spread the message. The
FMPO strove to do a mixture of in-person and technological outreach. San Luis Obispo had a
large percentage of attendees compared to population at their public meetings. These
meetings were called “bike summits” (2013, p. 68). The FMPO held two Active Transportation
Summits with a higher attendance than previous public meetings marketed as open houses.
For the Literature Review, I also researched within the master plans different options to
fund programs and infrastructure. I further investigated websites where noted in master plans
to see if Flagstaff qualified for any funds within these programs.
For the literature review, I also researched scholarly articles that discussed barriers to
why people do not walk and bike more. Why don’t more children walk and bike to school? Why
is our senior population more likely to ask family members for rides than walk to the store?
How does a single mother on assistance without a car feel about her transportation options?
The research has shown that the barriers could be incomplete infrastructure (missing sidewalks
and bike lanes), or poor design (long crosswalks), and sometimes it’s cultural (parents are
terrified their child will be kidnapped on their safe route to school). Not only does this research
indicate what kind of infrastructure and design might be effective in creating a more walking
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 28
and bike friendly environment, but it also demonstrates the educational messages and dialogue
needed with the community to increase walking and biking.
Through the peer city master plans, scholarly articles, and additional websites for
funding and program information, the scope of the problems and some solutions to increase
walking and biking in the City of Flagstaff were addressed for the scope of this practicum
project.
Design and Implementation
The methodology process for preparation and adoption of the Active Transportation
/FUTS Master Plans demonstrates how public engagement is incorporated into the overall
process. There are six process phases (City of Flagstaff, FMPO, 2019):
Phase 0 Previous work and engagement
Phase 1 Process introduction
Phase 2 Stakeholder engagement
Phase 3 Public review
Phase 4 Detailed review
Phase 5 Final approval
The majority of my applied research practicum occurred in Phase 0, but the resources
provided during the practicum are being implemented in all later phases.
Previous work and engagement includes foundational work for public engagement,
background research, and inventory and analysis of existing facilities. The background research
portion of this process phase provided a clearer understanding of the current conditions and
furnished a context to develop new master plans. Existing plans, policies, regulations, and
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 29
Figure 15: Facebook post on HOH meeting
guidelines were utilized in the background research, as well as creating reports of mode share
trends and peer cities analysis, reviewing national and state bicycle and pedestrian resources,
and reviewing pedestrian and bicycle crash data.
Inventories of facilities inventories were compiled and analyzed in detail for existing
pedestrian, bicycle, and trails infrastructure. These inventories included: a FUTS priority
evaluation, missing sidewalk inventory and prioritization, missing bike lane inventory and
prioritization, at-grade pedestrian and bicycle crossings, and grade-separated pedestrian and
bicycle crossings.
Public engagement efforts have
been conducted in a variety of activities
in support of the Active Transportation
and FUTS Master Plans. Some of the
activities include the following:
Communication Tools
Website- Active Transportation
Master Plan web page on the City of
Flagstaff website includes plans,
documents, timely information, and
opportunities for getting involved. The
website is located:
https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/3181/Acti
ve-Transportation-Master-Plan.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 30
Facebook Flagstaff maintains a Facebook
page for the Flagstaff Urban Trails system (FUTS)
with over 2,000 members. The Facebook page is
located at: https://www.facebook.com/Flagstaff-
Urban-Trails-System-207094295408/. This page is
used to communicate information for the FUTS
system, as well as for walking, biking, and general
multimodal transportation. Infographics, and
photographs paired with statistical data were posted
on a daily basis to communicate the benefits of walking and biking to this large digital
population. FMPO regularly works with administrators of other Facebook pages, both inside
and outside of the City, to cross-post on items of mutual interest, as well as walking and biking
events in Flagstaff. In communicating the benefits of active transportation, FUTS Facebook
posts connected this information with events in Flagstaff. A notice of a High Occupancy Housing
(HOH) meeting was paired with information about youth preferences for active transportation.
Small Business Saturday was paired with information about how pedestrians and bicyclists are
more likely to shop at local stores (and spend more) along with a previous day’s post on
struggles of looking for parking on Black Friday. This strategy helped to provide relevance and
context about active transportation to issues and events already on people’s radar.
Notify Me- this webpage on the City’s website allows people to subscribe to email lists
to receive information from the City. The website is located at:
https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/list.aspx. The “Pedestrian-Bicycle-FUTS” list is sent information of
Figure 16: Facebook post on Black Friday
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 31
interest on the FUTS, walking, and bicycling. Subscribers
are also sent monthly meeting agendas for the City's
Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC) and Bicycle
Advisory Committee (BAC). This list has over 900
subscribers.
Flagstaff Community Forum- this is the online
forum for community surveys. The website is located at:
https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/3284/Flagstaff-Community-
Forum.
Story maps- Esri combine maps, narrative text,
images, charts and graphics, and other media in a single
interactive webpage to communicate information.
Community surveys
Have your say survey- was conducted in Spring
2017 with 125 responses. Four public surveys were
conducted for the Regional Transportation Plan, which
included significant results for walking and biking.
FUTS trail users survey was conducted in
summer 2017 with 375 responses. The survey was
conducted to determine patterns of FUTS trail use and
users’ perceptions of the FUTS system. The survey updated a previous FUTS survey from 2011.
Figure 17: Infographic representation of FUTS trail
users survey results
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 32
Draft goals and strategies survey- was conducted in Fall 2017 with 167 responses. The
survey
gathered
feedback for
proposed goals
and strategies
to improve
walking and
biking in
Flagstaff. The
goals and strategies were developed for the Active Transportation Master Plan.
Walking-Biking-Trail Summit-Two summits were held on
November 1, 2017 at the Joe Montoya Center and November 15,
2017 at Pine Forest Charter School.
Approximately 100 residents
attended the two summits. The
summits were structured in a
drop-in open house format.
Community groups also tabled at the summits to promote
walking and biking activities in Flagstaff. Attendees were able to
participate in a variety of activities:
Figure 18: Infographic of results of Goals and Strategies Survey
Figure 19: Flyer for November 1
st
Summit
Figure 20: Flyer for November 15
th
Summit
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 33
Facilities voting maps-
Participants placed dots on six
large-scale maps depicting
existing and missing/planned
sidewalks, bike lanes, FUTS trails,
crossings, PedBike Ways, and the
bikeway network. Dots were
color-coded by priority.
Goals and strategies survey- A paper version of the online
survey was made available at the summits. The results were
included with the online survey
data analysis.
Strategies voting chart-
Draft goals and strategies were
printed on large posters; dots
were placed adjacent to
Figure 21: Results of Crossings Facilities Voting Map
Figure 22: Dot Voting System
Figure 23: Photo of Vision Board
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 34
strategies that participants consider most important or highest priority.
Vision board- Participants were invited to express their vision for walking or biking on a
sheet of paper, which was then attached to a wall with other vision statements.
Comment cards- Provided an opportunity to express any additional thoughts and
comments about the master plan and the summits.
Tabling events- FMPO and volunteers mostly from PAC/BAC have engaged with the
public at a variety of community events, including Earth
Day, Bike Bazaar/Bike to Work Week,
Arizona Trail Day, and Flagstaff
Community Market. These events include
maps showing existing and future FUTS
trails, sidewalks, bike lanes and crossings.
FUTS trail maps and other pedestrian and
bicycle literature was also distributed.
Public engagement included addressing
existing concerns with walking, biking,
and trails, the Active Transportation
Figure 24: Photo of tabling event
Figure 25: Poster of Flagstaff Walks! events
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 35
Master Plan, and the transportation tax renewal.
Flagstaff Walks!- This is a month-long series of events that are held yearly in September and
October, meant to engage with new portions of the public through fun activites. There are
several guided walks that start at the Flagstaff Community Market, including a Public Art Walk,
Southside Historic Walk, Geology Walk, Rio de Flag Walk, and Mural Walk. Events also included
a Progressive Breakfast, with community members conversing with FMPO staff and volunteers
at different coffee and breakfast places about walking and biking in Flagstaff. There are also
community clean-ups in parks and Safe Walk to School Day held in October. Promoting a
culture of walking and communicating with the public on walking benefits and infrastructure
hindrances are the goals of Flagstaff Walks!
PAC/BAC meetings- the Active Transportation Master Plan and FUTS Master Plan have been a
standing item on the agendas of the City’s PAC and BAC meetings. These meetings will continue
Figure 26: Facebook post for Public Art Walk
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 36
to serve as a public forum for the master plans. Both meetings are open to the public and can
be live-streamed from the City’s website.
Stakeholder interviews will have 12 to 15 individuals representing city staff and community
groups. Interviews will include these questions:
What are the most critical actions we can take for walking, biking, and trails from among
the draft goals, strategies, and actions in the plans?
What should be the highest priorities for planned pedestrian, bicycle, and trail
infrastructure?
Have we missed anything in the plan?
How does walking, biking, and trails support the mission and work of your program or
agency?
A stakeholder survey will also be available online for a broader group of city staff and
community groups.
Results and Discussion
This results and discussion section has the perspective and advantage of time. It has
been almost two years since I finished my internship at the FMPO. In the year following my
internship, I found myself using the knowledge I had gained to advocate against the passage of
the transportation taxes on the 2018 City of Flagstaff ballot. The transportation taxes fund a
large portion of active transportation infrastructure. I am also much more familiar with the
tourism industry in this community working at the visitor’s center. This discussion section is
partially influenced by what happened after the internship was completed, what I might have
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 37
done differently, as well as items that were very much on my radar in the category of “if I had
more time” at the end of my internship.
Further Outreach Recommendations
Towards the end of my internship, I made a series of recommendations for future
outreach opportunities, ways to increase participation, and possible funding sources.
I recommended that the FMPO have public outreach meetings with Gore, Purina, Joy
Cone, NAU, Decker, and the other larger employers in Flagstaff. Punctuality is typically valued
by employers and the expectation is that employees arrive on the hour or half hour. However,
with a slightly more flexible start time that coincides with bus route times, active transportation
would be much more appealing to more employees. Bus pass incentives, changing rooms, and
possibly even showers could be planned within current buildings or future expansion. Seeing as
one parking space costs $7,500 to build and over $300 yearly to maintain (Victoria Transport
Policy, 2017), bus passes and changing facilities could be a cheaper alternative, as well as
attracting high-skill employees looking for active transportation options for their daily work
commute. Also discussing professional work clothes is important, especially for female
employees who might feel that they must wear dresses, skirts, and/or high heels to be
perceived as “professional. These clothing items are not particularly conducive to active
transportation. Discussing ways to meet both professional appearance goals and active
transportation is possible. These issues could be agenda items at staff meetings or also be
incorporated in new employee training.
I discuss later the possible limitations of social walking events, but I think a Ciclivia for
Flagstaff could be an effective means to promote more walking, biking and bus transit in the
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 38
community. A few blocks of the downtown area could be closed to automobile traffic and
parking where people would be encouraged to bike or walk in the streets instead. Vendors, art
installations, and community organizations could rent the parking spaces for the course of the
event and bus transit could be free to the downtown area, with a rerouting of applicable bus
lines to accommodate the event. There are a few events that already close portions of streets
to traffic, but one event specifically devoted to “no cars” could make active transportation
seem more feasible to a larger number of the community. Partnering with the larger event
planners in Flagstaff, Downtown Business Alliance, bike shops, artist groups, and possibly the
Convention Bureau could make this a destination event for Flagstaff.
During the internship, I researched a lot of the various health benefits of active
transportation. Sharing this information to a wider audience by tabling at health fairs and other
events devoted to improved health could be an effective strategy to emphasize that people can
get the recommended physical activity per day through active transportation. This strategy can
alleviate people’s concerns that they need money for gym memberships or find more time in
the day to devote to “exercise,” but instead could be incorporated in the daily commute they
already do. As traffic congestion increases and parking becomes more difficult to find, the
difference in time between the automobile commute and active transportation is minimal, as is
already the case on the NAU campus during rush hours. Depending on the event, it could also
be an opportunity to reach more vulnerable populations of the community.
Now that the major Earth Day celebration for the City of Flagstaff is held in Bushmaster
Park, I recommend that the #2 bus line be free for the hours of the Earth Day event. The people
who attend Earth Day events are a captive audience for environmental issues and a free trip to
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 39
Bushmaster could foster more use overall of the transit system to reduce ghg. The grants that
help fund the free shuttles to Snowbowl during the week of Christmas, or have free service on
New Year’s Eve, could also help make the #2 bus line free for a couple of hours on Earth Day.
I also recommended expanding the Adopt-a-FUTS program to Friends of the FUTS or a
similar program. There is a waitlist for organizations who would like to adopt one of the FUTS
trails for clean-up days. The FMPO could recruit the waitlist to help at tabling, bicycle audits,
public meetings and help fill other volunteer needs of the FMPO. Having a sign that incidentally
helps promote the business or organization is likely a powerful motivator for many participants
of Adopt-a-FUTS. Figuring out comparable promotional opportunities for Friends of the FUTS
would be an important component to its success.
In my review of the Fort Collins Bicycle Plan (2014, p. 11) I thought it was interesting
that their active transportation team did a stakeholder meeting with a church. I recommended
outreach meetings to religious groups who have taken an outspoken position against climate
change and support environmental causes. Getting the support of religious leaders for active
transportation could be an effective, but very much overlooked means to get a large number of
community members walking and biking.
I recommended that the FMPO have outreach meetings with PTOs and neighborhood
associations to encourage more walking and biking of school age children. Whereas many of
the peer city master plans have emphasized safety issues and trainings, I actually think it’s more
important to emphasize the benefits to children of walking and biking, including exercise and
better classroom performance. An over-emphasis on safety I think just reinforces that walking
and biking to school is a dangerous activity. According to the National Center for Injury
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 40
Prevention and Control, the leading cause of death for children in the United States is
automobile accidents (2008). Establishing walk and bike trains in neighborhoods to school can
help normalize this activity and make more parents willing to join in the switch to active
transportation.
Basic bicycle maintenance courses and bike riding classes for people of all ages are also
an important part of increasing realistic transportation options. To create the infrastructure for
bicycle riding, but not the tools to ride or maintain them, is going to limit the people who can
adopt this form of transportation. Learning the skills of bike maintenance and riding,
particularly riding in inclement weather or at night with our dark sky ordinances, can greatly
increase people’s comfort with trying bicycling. According to the Eugene Pedestrian and Bicycle
Strategic Plan, pedestrians are typically comfortable with walking distances of one mile, for
bicyclists that commuting distance extends to three miles (2008, p. 16). Supporting more
bicyclists, not only through infrastructure but also in education and learning of basic skills, will
greatly extend the reach and feasibility of bicycling as a commuting option. I will discuss more
equity issues with bicycling later in this section.
Two weeks into my internship, I thought that an FMPO collaboration with NAU on a
“car-free” flyer could be implemented into freshman orientation materials and possibly sent to
new students in advance of arriving at NAU. Knowing the different options for getting around
without a permanent car, including weekend getaways and traveling home, seemed like the
best way for both students and parents to feel comfortable not bringing a car to Flagstaff and
utilizing active transportation more. However, NAU freshman orientation coincided with the
start of my internship and was not able to be implemented for 2017. I did create the basic
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 41
information for a car-free flyer and hope this can be implemented to reduce car usage by the
large NAU student population.
I recommended that the FMPO have ongoing stakeholder meetings with departments
and businesses heavily involved in the tourism industry. I know first-hand that visitor center
employees have not received training on car-free options in Flagstaff as they relate to tourist
attractions and do not emphasize ways to reduce tourist car usage while spending time in the
community. This seems particularly important since there are 5.5 million visitors compared to
70,000 residents. Even if the FMPO were successful in getting total participation in active
transportation from residents, there would still be traffic congestion from visitors. Finding
ways to reduce that congestion by emphasizing urban trails and scenic walking routes,
emphasizing and expanding transit stops to tourist destinations, and bike sharing in strategic
locations could all be a means to reduce traffic congestion from visitors.
Further Infrastructure Recommendations
The first pilot bike share program was rolled out after my internship was completed and
had a fair amount of success. In a bike share program, I recommended that adult tricycles be a
part of the available options to address some equity issues. I also recommended that bikeshare
docking stations be located at some of the larger hotels with maps to downtown or other
economic centers, with the Chamber of Commerce or Convention Bureau being a possible
partner. With the new parking fees in the downtown area, I thought these bike share stations
could be an appealing option for tourists and keep a portion of the visitors from driving to
destinations in Flagstaff.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 42
I recommended that the end of I-17 has an “Entering High Pedestrian and Bicycling
Area” sign and other calming measures. I think there is a problem between drivers going 75
mph on a freeway transitioning to Milton Road, particularly as more student housing is built in
this area with Milltown. First-time visitors in particular probably aren’t expecting this transition
from freeway to city.
Furthermore, the areas where there are the highest incidences of pedestrian and bicycle
crashes should have lighted crosswalks and more signage to help reduce crash rates. As well,
the new crosswalk measures could have an event with temporary signs making motorists aware
of crash issues in the location. The Sustainability Squirrel could attend to get motorists’
attention. Having police target crosswalk areas where there are large crash rates and ticket
motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists for infractions could encourage safer behavior.
I recommended that the FMPO collaborate with Flagstaff Arts Council and Flagstaff
Artist Coalition to have more public commissioned art along FUTS trails that are created more
for commuter purposes than scenic beauty. The planned extensions on Lone Tree, JW Powell,
and West Rt. 66 all have potential to include artwork if they have safe infrastructure for walking
and biking. The FMPO could have a bicycle event around the completion of the new artwork.
Further Surveying Recommendations
In future surveys, I recommend that the FMPO ask participants where there should be
more bicycle parking. Depending on what type of bike share program is implemented in the
future, a survey about bike share locations should also be implemented. However, I think the
reach of this survey should heavily focus on NAU, as a part of the Green NAU newsletter. It also
should include paper surveys and outreach at the various shelters and food banks within the
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 43
community, as well as hotels. I think this survey strategy will target the most likely users of bike
share. Helmets and lighting for use at night are further details to be worked out by gathering
survey information from potential users and working with bike share provider.
I recommend that the FMPO collaborate with our bike enthusiast community by
periodically doing week-long audits on conditions during their bike commutes. The Flagstaff
Biking Organization, outreach at bike shops, and getting volunteers through BAC notices could
be a source of obtaining near-immediate “on the ground” data. From this data, the FMPO can
work with Public Works and other departments to address problem areas with snow, debris,
and other obstacles in a biking commute. A pedestrian audit could be done as well, particularly
during winter months when danger from ice and snow is greater, through a PAC notice.
Flagstaff Walks! Events Reflection
The idea behind Flagstaff Walks! is that by creating a culture of walking within a social
setting, people will be more willing to walk and bike as a
part of their transportation options and advocate more for
safe infrastructure. This is also the reason why FMPO
cross-promoted a lot more walking events held by other
Flagstaff organizations, including the Downtown Business
Alliance’s Meet Me Downtown, the Flagstaff Monuments
nature walks, bike shops social biking events, Willow
Bend’s Geology Walks, and Jack Welch’s weekly walk
events through the FUTS trails.
In the Flagstaff Walks! events that FMPO helped
Figure 27: Meet Me Downtown inaugural flyer
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 44
host, the public seemed to be enjoying the walks and they received physical activity and fresh
outdoor air. These events subjectively improved their quality of life and health on a temporary
basis. It may have even served as a reminder of why they chose Flagstaff as their home or a
place to visit.
However, I do not think these events translate into people walking and biking more as a
transportation option. There are a lot more cars parked around the neighborhood of the
Community Market on Sunday mornings where FMPO started many of the walks (a
neighborhood where I live and notice the regular increase of parked cars during market
season). There are not appealing active transportation options to the Coconino Forest hiking
trails. And through the low-
attendance at Meet Me Downtown
events and general complaining of the
newly enacted downtown paid
parking, most people attending these
social walking events are still driving
to them. These events add value to
the community, but are not the most
effective way to increase active
transportation participation.
Making the Case Reflection
The FUTS Facebook page
seemed like a good venue to share
Figure 28: Facebook post on walking quote by Edward Abbey
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 45
the information gathered in the Making the Case for Walking and Biking paper that I further
developed during my internship. The people who “like” the FUTS page are not necessarily
active transportation commuters but could be solely recreational users of the trails. I could
share bite-sized information to a digital crowd of 2,000, many who might not be sold on the
benefits of active transportation. In addition to the potential of getting a few converts, the
information could be easily shared digitally to a larger crowd and could even serve as a
conversation point in a discussion about active transportation in the future.
However, I really do not know if I was successful in any of those goals. Posting more
frequently on Facebook received more
views, and I was strategic on posting in the
middle of the day when Facebook use by
people is highest. But “likes” and “shares”
are a poor metric on whether I won any
hearts and minds to active transportation.
In fact, the most viewed and shared post
was not any of the carefully researched
information on the benefits of active
transportation it was an Edward Abbey
quote about walking that I discovered
serendipitously and posted on a whim. My
follow-up experiment of an Anon quote
about biking also tracked well.
Figure 29: Facebook post with biking quote from Anon
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 46
I am not certain that this information is significant. Perhaps people are more willing to
“like” soft information of the info-tainment variety. A photo of kittens and puppies in a bicycle
basket could possibly gather over 1,000 likes compared to a half dozen on researched data
about walking and biking. However, this does not mean that people did not reflect on the
research information provided on the FUTS Facebook page. This information likely did reach a
wider audience than if the information had solely been included in the Active Transportation
Master Plan, presentations to City Council, and at public meetings and outreach. FMPO shared
the data collected from “Making the Case” in infographics at the Active Transportation
Summits, but this information could have also been shared at tabling events for Flagstaff Walks!
and other events. There is also an opportunity to expand the online presence of this data
through Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram, particularly among the student population at NAU.
Active Transportation Summits Reflection
One problem with having a small staff that partially consists of rotating interns is that
the interns will spend the beginning of their internship just learning the basics of the job and
building the wealth of knowledge that the other employees already possess (like any job).
Having to go through this process yearly in June means that the intern staff doesn’t accomplish
as much as consistent longer-term employees. With the data analysis of the FUTS survey, the
learning of best practices in active transportation, and other regularly scheduled job tasks, I
understand why the Active Transportation Summits needed to be scheduled in November. I
also think November is a not a good month to hold an Active Transportation Summit. It’s
getting dark earlier, and it’s getting colder outside. It’s not a month that makes the average
person want to explore the possibilities of active transportation.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 47
The FMPO scheduled the summits on Wednesday evenings after checking community
calendars to help ensure there wouldn’t be any major conflicts with other big events happening
in town. Generally, I think this was a good strategy, but I do wonder if the FMPO would have
received larger attendance on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. The FMPO might have attracted
more of the 9-5 working population, but it might not be convenient for the large percentage of
the Flagstaff population who work in the service industry. It also may conflict with other
weekend events for families. The FMPO scheduled the summits from 6-8 pm. The reason was in
part to accommodate our community partners who were tabling at the summits and the
schedules of our locations. But on reflection, I think it would have been beneficial to have the
summits start at 5 pm and continue until 8 pm, so that community members could more easily
drop in right after work and then head home rather than trying to find something to do for the
5-6 pm time period.
The location choices were based on both financial interests in obtaining free or low-cost
places to have the summits and wanting to create greater access to the summits from
underserved communities. I don’t think that either location was ideal in accomplishing these
goals.
Having the November 1, 2017 Summit at the Joe Montoya Center at Thorpe Park met
the needs of having the location somewhat close to downtown, the FMPO could have further
outreach with the senior population of Flagstaff, and it was free. However, the actual space
where the summit was held felt cramped. I went to the space and mapped out activity areas
and other spatial issues in advance, but I did not have the printed maps or a lot of other
materials at the time of my scouting and needed to rethink the layout during set-up. Overall,
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 48
Figure 10: Photo of November 1st Summit
the area was too small for
what the summit truly
needed. The space did not
foster conversations or
lingering, whereas I think a
larger space would have.
The November 1
st
Summit
had decent attendance
with over 70 participants, but I think we would have gotten more nuanced feedback if the
FMPO was successful in creating a social, convivial atmosphere.
Finding an eastside location for the November 15, 2017 summit was very difficult. I
researched several dozen location possibilities, ranging from various religious institutions,
coffee shops, and other possible community gathering places. Some of the locations were
obviously too small, but others were not able to accommodate the 6-8 pm Wednesday evening
time. The FMPO settled on Pine Forest Charter School over the Coconino Community College
(the only two realistic options) because the physical space felt more inviting to the activity
stations and community tabling the FMPO was holding at the summit. Having an eastside
location was important to the FMPO so that more outreach could be done in an area that has
not historically received as much attention as the older westside part of Flagstaff.
Although the physical space of Pine Forest was appropriate for the summit, this eastside
summit would have benefited from a Saturday afternoon time change. Other public events
have a much higher attendance for Saturday events at Pine Forest Charter School than the 30
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 49
people that the FMPO received. An overall lack of places for the community to gather in the
evening, and maybe the increased crime rates in this area as well, means the community is not
conditioned to venturing out on a Wednesday evening and isn’t going to make the exception
for an Active Transportation Summit in November. Our attendance was lower at the November
15
th
Summit and many of the attendees were NAU students getting extra credit. I’m not sure
that people from the Sunnyside neighborhood attended this Summit. Having more tabling at
special events at the Market of Dreams or the Wednesday farmers market during the summer
could be successful strategies to increase outreach in this community.
Reflection on Equity
In considering the equity benefits of active transportation, I found myself with a unique
perspective in my internship with active transportation planning: I have never learned how to
ride a bicycle. In my late twenties I had attempted to learn while utilizing a friend’s bicycle, but
lacked a sense of invincibility that I possessed more in abundance during those formative
childhood years when most people learn the skill of bike riding. Despite my unsuccessful
attempt to learn to ride a bike, my commitment to active transportation led me to purchase an
adult tricycle.
Although I had originally meant the tricycle to be a temporary measure, as adult training
wheels so to speak, I became accustomed to the ease and cargo space of the tricycle and still
use it as my primary form of transportation over a decade later. I also unexpectantly found
myself as public ambassador for this mode of transportation. I am frequently stopped by
elderly people, Lantinx and Native American populations, and people whose dress and
mannerisms indicate that they might be lower on the socio-economic scale. They are keenly
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 50
Figure 31: Flagstaff Citizens’ Transportation Tax Commission flyer
interested and ask many questions about the tricycle, where I purchased it and how much it
cost, and my thoughts about this form of transportation.
When planners discuss issues of equity and access in active transportation, I found the
solutions provided for bicycles within the Master Plans I reviewed to be sorely lacking. Planners
assume that learning to ride a bicycle is a rite of passage in everyone’s childhood, not
considering that financial resources or parents working multiple jobs within disadvantaged
groups might prevent this skill from being learned. The adage, “It’s like riding a bike…” is such
as part of our lexicon that planners do not consider that a person who hasn’t been on a bike in
decades might have, in fact, forgotten how to ride a bike or have reduced balance and/or
motor skills to do what they once did easily in childhood. The actual skill of riding a bike could
be taught in physical education class, along with safety education courses which are discussed
at length in master plans. Adult biking courses
seem a little more complicated to be
implemented, as a lot of people don’t
necessarily want to admit they did not learn this
skill. From my own experience, teaching this skill
to adults might require specialized training on
the part of the instructor. And bringing more
adult tricycles into the community, through bike
share or as a part of a funding program (they are
more expensive than bicycles) could make active
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 51
Figure 32: Position piece I wrote against Proposition 419 for F3
transportation much more appealing to this often-ignored segment of a community.
Funding Active Transportation Reflection
With the passage of time, I realize that the most important thing I could have done during my
internship was to get many
active transportation
enthusiasts to be on the
Flagstaff Citizens’
Transportation Tax Commission.
If FMPO had done the summits
a little earlier, I could have
asked people to be on the
commission as I was putting up
flyers in bike shops and sports
stores. As I was sending emails
inquiring about tabling at the
summits, I also could have also
made a plea to apply to the
commission. Even though the
times for the summits and
application for the commission did not line up, I realize now that I should have made a full force
effort to get active transportation advocates on that commission.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 52
The Flagstaff Citizens’ Transportation Tax Commission was first created in 1999 for
citizens to decide which transportation projects, both road projects and active transportation,
would be funded through a sales tax in the city of Flagstaff. Voters passed the transportation
tax in 2000 for a period of 20 years, set to expire in June 2020. In 2017 during my internship,
the Flagstaff Citizens’ Transportation Tax Commission was convened again to decide which
projects would be funded for new transportation taxes on the 2018 ballot, which later became
propositions 419, 420, and 421.
The recommendations that the Flagstaff Citizens’ Transportation Tax Commission made
were opposed by the Sustainability Commission and Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3), of which I
am still the vice president of that organization. Support was given for the transit tax,
proposition 421, that would have increased frequency and hours of bus transit.
The groups that opposed 419 and 420 felt that the recommended projects would greatly
increase driving and did not sufficiently fund active
transportation (although the logo of 419 included a bicycle). I
was heavily involved in the opposition to these propositions,
as much as I could be as a working graduate student, but also
felt that the opposition could have been avoided if active transportation enthusiasts had been
on the tax commission. Both propositions 419 and 420 passed, and it is unclear to me how a lot
of the projects included in the Active Transportation Master Plan will be funded for the next 20
years in the City of Flagstaff. I can foresee a lot of outrage in the community in the upcoming
years when active transportation projects are not completed, and people wonder where the
money for the proposition with the bicycle logo went. Upon reflection, I wish I had done more
Figure 33: Proposition 419 logo
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 53
outreach to get people interested in applying to the Flagstaff Citizens’ Transportation Tax
Commission, but at the time it felt like just another task among many.
Despite my second-guesses about the priorities I made during my internship, I am proud
of the work that I did and what was accomplished during my six-month internship. It was the
start of new ways to engage with the public and generate stronger commitment to active
transportation.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 54
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PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 59
Appendix A Public Participation Draft
Pedestrian Bicycle FUTS Master Plans
Active Transportation Public Participation Plan
Last updated: December 2017
Public Participation Purpose
The purpose of the Public Participation Plan is to develop a shared community vision for improving
walking and biking in Flagstaff. By getting feedback from the community through both informal and
more traditional methods, the goal is to understand the community’s concerns and desires regarding
walking and biking, and ultimately to receive community endorsement for the Active Transportation
Master Plan. The Public Participation Plan’s strategy is to reach and engage segments of Flagstaff’s
population who walk and bike, or who are interested in walking and biking, but do not typically
participate in traditional planning processes.
Overall Guiding Principles and Strategy
The overall guiding principle of the Public Participation Plan is to seek a diversity of opinions about
walking and biking. Outreach will include avid active transportation participants, but also causal walkers
and bikers, as well as those who may not walk or bike now but could be enticed if it were made
comfortable and appealing. Outreach will also include segments of the population that do not
traditionally participate in public processes. Strategies to reach a broad audience include:
Conduct outreach in locations where people like to go, rather than relying on participants to
come to traditional public processes.
Public outreach will be less formal and oriented around events that provide engaging activities
while also gathering community feedback on active transportation.
Utilize technology for promotion, to convey information, and to make the process more
accessible, efficient, and understandable
Use charts, maps, graphics, and other visual devices to provide thorough and understandable
information.
Both visual and written information should be simple and easily understood, and the use of
jargon and technical terms should be avoided.
Invite community partners with a vested interest in active transportation to be a part of the
public participation process, to provide information, and to cross-promote each other’s events
and outreach on social media. Community partners included businesses, social groups, non-
profits, student associations, and government agencies.
These strategies will make the public process and outcomes as transparent and obvious to as wide of an
audience as possible. The public process will carefully document input received and report on
participation to convey that comments are heard, valued, and have been considered.
Pedestrian Advisory Committee
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 60
Flagstaff's Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC) is a group of seven citizens who are appointed by and
report to the City's Transportation Commission on issues related to planning for and accommodation of
pedestrians. The PAC provides input and reviews the Active Transportation Master Plan and develops
programs and volunteers at Flagstaff Walks!, a month-long event, and other community pedestrian
events. The PAC meets once a month and the public is invited and encouraged to attend. Meetings are
also streamed live and archived videos of previous meetings are available on the City of Flagstaff’s
website.
Bicycle Advisory Committee
Flagstaff's Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) is a group of seven citizens who are appointed by and
report to the City's Transportation Commission on issues related to planning for and accommodation of
bicycles. The BAC provides input and reviews the Active Transportation Master Plan and develops
programs and volunteers at Bike to Work Week and other community bicycling events. The BAC meets
once a month and the public is invited and encouraged to attend. Meetings
are also streamed live and archived videos of previous meetings are available
on the City of Flagstaff’s website.
Community Surveys
Community surveys are an integral way to gather public feedback and
encourage participation in the public process. Surveys include a variety of
means to collect data, including open-ended questions, likert scale questions,
and interactive maps, utilizing a purposive sampling methodology. Active
Transportation surveys are available for a limited period of time with an on-
line version posted on the City’s Community Forum website, with paper
versions also made available at community events. Surveys completed to
date:
Bicycle commuter survey (May 10 through May 15, 2009; 109)
FUTS trail users survey (May 24 through June 30, 2017; 375)
Walking and biking survey (Summer 2014; 458)
Pedestrian & bicycle projects (May 22- June 19, 2016; 294)
Milton Road survey (September 28- October 31, 2016; 189)
ATMP: Draft Goals and Strategies (Nov 17- Dec 1, 2017; 167)
The surveys are publicized in several ways:
Invitations to take the survey were posted on the Facebook page for
the Flagstaff Urban Trails System several times over the course of the survey
window. Social media marketing strategies were implemented to increase
viewership and participation, including use of infographics and photographs
paired with “fun facts” about active transportation to engage public. Posts
were made consistently and at peak social media viewing times to encourage
maximum viewership.
Several departments within the City of Flagstaff helped publicize the
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 61
survey by sharing the Flagstaff Urban Trails System posts on their Facebook page, including
Flagstaff Sustainability program, Flagstaff Open Space, and Flagstaff Regional Plan.
Several community groups, organizations, and businesses helped publicize the survey to their
membership, including bike shops, running and pedestrian clubs, and organizations like Friends
of Flagstaff’s Future and Flagstaff Biking Organization.
Email invitations were sent on several occasions to individuals who signed up for the “Notify
Me” function on the City’s website for Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Bicycle Advisory
Committee, and Flagstaff Urban Trails System.
Northern Arizona University departments and clubs also helped publicize the survey to their
students, alumni, faculty and staff, including Geography, Planning, and Recreation; Sustainable
Communities; Green NAU; and Green Jacks
Walking, Biking, and FUTS Trails Summits
The Walking, Biking, and FUTS Trails Summits modified the traditional open
house format to further attract and engage the public in the participation
process. The Summits were a drop-in format with stations, where the public
was invited to provide input on the active transportation master plan in an
interactive manner. Community organizations with a vested interest in active
transportation, including Meet Me Downtown, USFS, Arizona Trails
Association, and NAIPTA, also tabled at the summits to create an exhibition
atmosphere and to inform the public about existing active transportation
opportunities. Volunteers from the Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Bicycle
Advisory Committee, as well as the City Transportation staff attended to
answer questions and to discuss active transportation with the public.
Two summits were held on Wednesday November 1, 2017 at Joe Montoya Community Center
and Wednesday November 15, 2017 at Pine Forest Charter School. Both summits were held
from 6 pm 8 pm. The summits were held in different areas of Flagstaff for convenience to the
public and to receive more diverse feedback and were scheduled at times that did not conflict
with other popular Flagstaff community events. The summits interactive opportunities for the
public to participate and comment on the active transportation master plan included:
Voting Maps: At the entrance of the summit, the public received sticker dots to “vote” on
which active transportation projects they would fund. The sticker dots were color-coded to
further create a prioritization system of which projects the participant would choose to
complete (Red 1
st
Priority Tier; Yellow 2
nd
Priority Tier; Green- 3
rd
Priority Tier; Blue 4
th
Priority
Tier). Participants placed their sticker dots on large wall
maps next to proposed projects in the Active Transportation
Master Plan. Six large wall maps included future FUTS trails,
Bike Lanes, Missing Sidewalks, Bike-Pedways, Crossings, and
Bikeways. Participants had the opportunity to vote eight
times at each map with the prioritization system. Participants
largely voted on planned infrastructure projects in the Active
Transportation Master Plan, but the map allowed them to
also vote on new potential projects.
Active Transportation Master Plan: Draft Goals and Strategies
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 62
survey: A paper version of the Draft Goals and Strategies survey was first made available at the Summits.
The goals, strategies, and actions surveys include infrastructure projects, like bike parking, but also
education, equity, bike share programs, and other priorities to be included in the Active Transportation
Master Plan.
Goals and Strategies Voting Map: The Summits included an additional large word map that incorporated
the goals, strategies, and actions of the Active Transportation Master Plan
for participants to vote with sticker dots on their most important priorities.
Vision Board: Attendees were encouraged to share their vision of either
Walking, Biking, or FUTS trails in Flagstaff and attach to a wall with other
attendees at the Summits. Colored markers were provided and participants
could draw as well as write their vision. The vision questions were also
included in the online version of the Draft Goals and Strategies survey.
Comment cards: Attendees were invited to provide additional comments
about the Active Transportation Master Plan towards the exit of the
summit.
The Summits were publicized in several ways:
The Summits were promoted on the community calendars for AZ Daily Sun, Flagstaff 365, Green
NAU, KNAU, and KAFF.
Flyers were posted on community boards in popular locations throughout the City of Flagstaff
including both businesses and community centers
Two Summit events were posted on the Facebook page for the Flagstaff Urban Trails System and
reminders were posted several times over the course of the Summits promotion. Social media
marketing strategies were implemented to increase viewership, including use of infographics
and photographs paired with “fun facts” about active transportation to engage public. Posts
were made consistently and at peak social media viewing times to encourage maximum
viewership.
Several departments within the City of Flagstaff helped publicize the Summits by sharing the
Flagstaff Urban Trails System posts on their Facebook page, including Flagstaff Sustainability
program, Flagstaff Open Space, and Flagstaff Regional Plan.
Several community groups, organizations, and businesses helped publicize the Summits to their
membership, including bike shops, running and pedestrian clubs, and organizations like Friends
of Flagstaff’s Future and Flagstaff Biking Organization.
Email invitations were sent on several occasions to individuals who signed up for the “Notify
Me” function on the City’s website for Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Bicycle Advisory
Committee, and Flagstaff Urban Trails System.
Northern Arizona University departments and clubs also helped publicize the Summits to their
students, alumni, faculty and staff, including Geography, Planning, and Recreation; Sustainable
Communities; SESES; Green NAU; Green Jacks; and ASNAU sent to the entire undergraduate
population on their weekly updates email
Extra credit opportunities were provided to undergraduate students who attended one of the
Summits
A short article on the FUTS trails and the first Summit was included in NAU’s “The Lumberjack”
newspaper.
Community Tabling Events
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 63
Engaging with the public at community events is an integral strategy in meeting the people where they
like to go in the participation process. City staff and volunteers from the Bicycle Advisory Committee and
the Pedestrian Advisory Committee table at events to discuss the Active Transportation Master Plan and
answer questions from the public. Literature on pedestrian and bicycle safety, Arizona bicycle maps,
and FUTS trails maps are offered to the public. Large maps and other visual displays are provided to
further gather input on the Active Transportation Master Plan. People can sign up to the email lists for
the Advisory Committees and FUTS trails notifications and fill out comment cards. Community Tabling
events included:
Earth Day: Heritage Square on April 22
nd
, 2017
Bike Bazaar Bike to Work Week: Heritage Square on May 21, 2017
Arizona Trail Day: Buffalo Park on September 9, 2017
Flagstaff Community Market: Five Sundays for the month of September 2017 as a part of Flagstaff
Walks! activities.
City Council Meeting Nights: Tuesday evenings from end of January until the beginning of March, 2018
Flagstaff Walks!
Flagstaff Walks! is a month-long series of events promoting walkability in Flagstaff sponsored by the
Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Public outreach to discuss the Active Transportation Master Plan is
paired with fun and informative activities to attract new audiences that do not typically engage in the
public participation process. Flagstaff Walks! is a combined volunteer effort of the Pedestrian Advisory
Committee, Bicycle Advisory Committee, various City staff departments, community organizations, and
Flagstaff citizens. Events include:
Arizona Trail Day: Buffalo Park, September 9, 2017. Jack
Welch of the Pedestrian Advisory Committee led a walk on
the Arizona Trail around Buffalo Park and discussed
potential new FUTS trails included in the Active
Transportation Master Plan. Also tabled at the Buffalo Park
community event that featured food, music, and a variety
of exhibits and information.
Flagstaff Community Market Sundays: City Hall Parking Lot,
September 10
th
, 17
th
, 24
th
, and October 1
st
, 2017. City staff
provided dedicated bike parking to community farmers’
market attendees, tabled at the entrance of the market,
and provided new FUTS maps to the public.
Public Art Walk: Started at City Hall Parking Lot, September 10, 2017. Mark DiLucido with City of
Flagstaff’s public art program led a walk exploring the public art in Downtown and the Southside.
Mural Walk: Started at City Hall Parking Lot, September 17, 2017. Jack Welch of the Pedestrian
Advisory Committee led a walking tour of murals around Downtown and the Southside.
Geology Walk: Started at Milligan House, September 22, 2017. Joel Kane, local geologist, led a walking
tour of the historic stone buildings in the Downtown area.
Science in the Park: Wheeler Park, September 23, 2017. The Pedestrian Advisory Committee held an
exhibit on the benefits of walking for the body and mind at the Festival of Science’s Science in the Park.
Southside Walk: Started at Murdoch Center. September 24, 2017. Jane Jackson and Stephen Hirst, local
historians, led a walking tour of historic sites and other points of interest around the Southside
neighborhood.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 64
Progressive Breakfast: Started at downtown transit center. September 28, 2017. City staff and Kim
Austin of the Bicycle Advisory Committee led a walk to local eateries and coffee shops and answered
questions about the Active Transportation Master Plan.
Rio de Flag Walk: Started at City Hall Parking Lot, October
1, 2017. Chelsea Silva of the Friends of the Rio de Flag led a
walk along the Rio to Frances Short Pond to discuss socio-
ecological aspects of the Rio, including plans for flood
control and recent improvements to the pond.
International Walk to School Day & Crossing Guard
Appreciation Day: At Kinsey, Marshall, Sechrist, and
Thomas Schools, October 4, 2017. City staff and the
Pedestrian Advisory Committee visited schools to discuss
safer routes for walking and bicycling.
15 Minute Makeover: Sidewalk Clean Up: Started at
downtown transit center. October 15, 2017. City staff and the Pedestrian Advisory Committee joined
volunteers on a walk to Colton Park, picking up debris, and discussing walkability in Flagstaff.
Flagstaff Walks! events were promoted through similar methods described in Surveys and Summits
section.
Online Engagement and Participation
The Public Participation Plan utilizes technology to reach and engage people at their convenience and
schedule in a virtual community place. By making the participation process convenient and easy, the
plan hopes to reach segments of the population that do not typically participate in traditional planning
processes. Through sharing active transportation and recreation activities in the community and making
active transportation route planning easy, the plan hopes to increase awareness of multi-modal options
and gain further interest in active transportation. Efforts included:
Active Transportation Master Plan web page on City website: On this website, the public can view the
active transportation master plan, view interactive maps, take surveys, submit comments, sign up for
notifications, and learn more about opportunities with the FUTS trails and advisory committees.
Notify Me: This is the email sign up on the City website to receive notifications for the FUTS trails,
pedestrian advisory committee, and/or bicycle advisory committee. Events and surveys are also sent to
these notification lists. These three notifications lists have over 900 subscribers.
MoveMeFLG website: This website acts as a hub between several
agencies devoted to different forms of transportation, including FMPO,
NAU, NAIPTA, ADOT, and Navajo Transit Systems. The website provides
information and links to additional trip planning and resources.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 65
FUTS Facebook page: In addition to promoting FMPO’s public
participation events and surveys and informing the public about FUTS
updates, the FUTS Facebook page also shares posts and includes other
community events relating to active transportation and walking and
biking recreation. Typical partnerships have included social club
events, charity walk/runs, USFS/NPS sponsored hikes, volunteer trail
maintenance days, FIBA and Chamber of Commerce events that
encourage walking, and the sharing of other City of Flagstaff public
participation opportunities. Quotes about walking and biking and
interesting facts paired with photos have also been added to the page.
These strategies further facilitate a walking and biking culture in
Flagstaff, keep the FUTS Facebook page in audiences’ newsfeeds more
regularly, and attract new members.
Story maps: Through the City of Flagstaff’s GIS Mapping Portal, the
Active Transportation Master Plan’s GIS story maps are available for
the public to review more in-depth information about the plan in a
visual format. The story maps hope to engage public participants who
want to find specific information very quickly and relate to more visual
forms of learning.
Stakeholder Focus Groups
In the upcoming months, the Public Participation Plan will conduct a series of focus group meetings with
community organizations that specialize in advocacy and/or issues that would benefit from more robust
active transportation participation rates and infrastructure. Focus groups would be individualized
around organizations devoted to public health, economic development, equity, environmental issues,
social and recreational groups, and businesses that specialize in active transportation. The purpose of
the focus groups is to build partnerships and determine strategies and improvements for active
transportation participation, particularly among underserved groups. Potential stakeholders include:
Public Health: North Country HealthCare, Flagstaff Medical Center, NAPEPT Wellness Program, NACA
Economic Development: Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, FIBA, ECONA, SEDI
Environmental Issues: Friends of Flagstaff’s Future, Willow Bend, Citizen’s Climate Lobby, Sierra Club
Equity: Housing Solutions, Coconino County Community Services, AZ Department of Economic Security
Social Groups & Organizations: Flagstaff Biking Organization, NATRA, Flagstaff Trail Divas
Businesses: Absolute Bikes, Flag Bike Revolution, Run Flagstaff, Single Track Bikes
Stakeholder Presentations
Several agencies, commissions, and groups are directly impacted by the Active Transportation Master
Plan and individualized presentations will be scheduled to discuss the Plan, answer questions, and get
feedback. Presentations will include:
Internal and Government Agencies: Presentations will be made within City departments, Coconino
County, ADOT, NAIPTA, NAU, and USFS. Every work product will be available for review. Formal
meetings will occur in late February through early May 2018.
Board and Commissions: Brief presentations will be made on the process and findings of the Active
Transportation Master Plan with specific information that affects each commission. Presentations will
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 66
be made from February through April with the following commissions: Transportation, Planning and
Zoning, Parks and Rec, Disability Awareness, Tourism, Open Spaces, Sustainability, and Beautification
and Public Arts.
External Groups: Presentations will be given between March and April 2018.
City Council: Updates on the Active Transportation Master Plan will be presented to City Council in
March and May.
Public Participation Plan Adoption
Pursuant the City of Flagstaff Code Title 11-10.10.020 (Common Procedures) and 11-10.20.020.B
(Supplemental Procedures for Major Plan Amendments), this Public Participation Plan is being prepared
for review by the Planning Director or designee.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 67
Appendix B Draft Goals and Strategy Survey
City of Flagstaff
Active Transportation Master Plan
Draft Goals and Strategies Survey
How important are these draft strategies for making Flagstaff more walk and bike friendly?
Introduction
This survey will gather public feedback regarding a number of proposed goals and policies intended to
improve walking and biking in Flagstaff. There are a total of 35 draft strategies included in this survey,
organized under seven principle goals.
The results of this survey will be incorporated into the City’s Active Transportation Master Plan, which
will function as a detailed guide and make specific recommendations to enhance walking, biking, and
trails in Flagstaff.
For more information about the Active Transportation Master Plan, visit
http://www.flagstaff.az.gov/ATMP
Draft goals and strategies
This section lists a series of proposed strategies intended to enhance walking and biking in Flagstaff.
How important do you think each of the proposed strategies is to making Flagstaff more walk and bike
friendly? Score each from 1 to 5, where 5 is very important and 1 is not at all important.
1 Complete networks for walking and biking that are continuous, comfortable, attractive,
convenient, and useful
Complete missing sidewalks along busy streets
1
2
3
4
5
Complete missing bike lanes on busy streets
1
2
3
4
5
Build new FUTS trails and close gaps in the FUTS system
1
2
3
4
5
Add new street crossings, and enhance existing crossings for
pedestrians and bicyclists
1
2
3
4
5
Provide bridges and tunnels for pedestrians and bicyclists
where needed at interstates, the railroad, and busy streets
1
2
3
4
5
Incorporate directional signing on pedestrian and bicycle
routes and networks
1
2
3
4
5
Ensure that functional bike parking is available wherever
cyclists want to go
1
2
3
4
5
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 68
Connects the FUTS trail system to the regional trails system,
including Forest Service trails, the Loop Trail, and the Arizona
Trail
1
2
3
4
5
Make all walking and biking facilities usable and accessible to
all users
1
2
3
4
5
2 Take care of what we have
Keep sidewalks, bike lanes, and FUTS trails well-maintained
and free of obstructions and debris
1
2
3
4
5
Clear snow and ice from sidewalks, bike lanes, and FUTS trails
1
2
3
4
5
Close sidewalks, bike lanes, and FUTS trails for construction
only when necessary, and provide detours or alternate
facilities when closures are necessary
1
2
3
4
5
Make sure that traffic signals work for pedestrians and
bicyclists
1
2
3
4
5
Reduce bike theft
1
2
3
4
5
Work with the Police Department to address perceived safety
concerns along FUTS trails
1
2
3
4
5
3 Build a supportive environment for walking and biking
Provide better information to make it easier to walk and bike,
such as online interactive maps and route planning
1
2
3
4
5
Promote community events that encourage walking and biking
1
2
3
4
5
Establish a bike share program
1
2
3
4
5
Work with community partners, including public health,
environmental groups, economic development, and tourism, to
promote a walking and biking culture
1
2
3
4
5
Promote equity by making sure that low-income and other
disadvantaged populations have equal opportunity for walking
and biking
1
2
3
4
5
4 Improve safety for walking and biking through education and enforcement
Conduct safety classes as part of a comprehensive education
program for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists
1
2
3
4
5
Re-establish a community Safe Route to School program to
encourage kids to walk or bike to school
1
2
3
4
5
Work with the Police Department on enforcement efforts that
enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists
1
2
3
4
5
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 69
Use safety campaigns to spread information about safety,
courtesy, and good practices
1
2
3
4
5
Promote user courtesy on FUTS trails
1
2
3
4
5
5 Promote land use patterns, development practices, and street standards that support walking and
biking
Promote land use patterns that are supportive of walking and
biking, including compact, dense, mixed-use, and infill
development
1
2
3
4
5
Build new streets, and retrofit existing streets, to
accommodate and be comfortable for all users, including
pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, and vehicles
1
2
3
4
5
Promote the use of innovative facilities that encourage walking
and biking
1
2
3
4
5
6 Use Travel Demand Management (TDM) as a guiding principle for transportation planning
Establish formal programs and policies to encourage more
walking, biking, and transit and to reduce the demand for
driving
1
2
3
4
5
Work with local employers to provide incentives to drive less
and use more sustainable commute options, including flex-
time, telecommuting, showers and changing rooms, and bike
lockers
1
2
3
4
5
Work with NAU to promote student resources for attending
NAU car-free
1
2
3
4
5
7 Assess how we’re doing for walking, biking, and trails
Conduct regular pedestrian and bicycle counts
1
2
3
4
5
Analyze and use pedestrian and bicycle crash data to improve
safety and reduce crashes
1
2
3
4
5
Encourage more interactive ways to communicate with the
City regarding walking and biking issues through reporting
apps, surveys, or a citizen-tracker website
1
2
3
4
5
Seek national recognition for Flagstaff as a walkable and
bikeable community
1
2
3
4
5
Other questions (5 = strong support; 1 = no support)
I support the additional funding for pedestrian and bicycle
facilities through renewal of the City’s transportation sales tax
1
2
3
4
5
I support the construction of pedestrian and bicycle facilities in
1
2
3
4
5
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 70
conjunction with new development or redevelopment
I support adding sidewalks and bike lanes where they missing,
or making existing sidewalks and bike lanes wider, even if it
means eliminating on-street parking or reducing the width of
vehicle lanes
1
2
3
4
5
I support widening roads to enhance walking and biking
facilities over widening roads to add vehicle lanes
1
2
3
4
5
I support dense, compact, mixed used development that
encourages walking and biking
1
2
3
4
5
Use the space below for any additional comments you would like to share…
Which statement best describes you (check one)
I am a regular walker (more than a few times per month)
I am a regular bicyclist (more than a few times per month)
I am a regular walker AND bicyclist
I am NOT a regular walker or bicyclist
Thank you for taking this survey. We are always appreciative when citizens take time to share their
thoughts with us, and the information we collect is very helpful. To keep up with the City’s Active
Transportation Master Plan process, visit this web page www.flagstaff.az.gov/ATMP
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 71
Appendix C Facilities Voting Map Results
Bikeway Results
Crossings Results
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 72
FUTS Results
Missing Bike Lane Results
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 73
PedBikeway Results
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 74
Appendix D Stakeholders
Questions
Stakeholders qualifications
Direct interest or involvement in walking, biking, trails
Overlapping areas of interest/concern
Knowledgeable/expertise/experience/studied opinion
Group
Representative
Email
Phone
Boards and commissions
Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Bicycle Advisory Committee
Transportation Commission
Sustainability Commission
Parks and Recreation Commission
Open Spaces Commission
Planning and Zoning Commission
Disability Awareness Commission
Biking/walking/running groups
Flagstaff Biking Organization
Anthony Quintile
anthony@flagstaffbiking.org
Flagstaff Cycling (?)
Joe Shannon
j.shannon278@gmail.com
Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association
Neil Weintraub
Flagstaff Ultrarunning Club
Scott Bajer
Ludo Pierson
Flagstaff Trail Divas
Girls on the Run
Marney Babbitt
mbabbitt@nchcaz.org
928.522.9452
Jack’s Walks
Jack Welch
adilllo@aol.com
Team Run Flagstaff
Michael Smith
info@teamrunflagstaff.com
Community groups
Friends of Flagstaff’s Future
Dawn Tucker
dtucker@friendsofflagstaff.org
Stand Up for Flagstaff
Marie Jones
marieajones@gmail.com
Tourism
Convention and Visitors Bureau
Trace Ward
tward@flagstaffaz.gov
(928) 213-2921
Flagstaff Visitor Center
Jessica Lawrence
Anna Good
jlawrence@flagstaffaz.gov
agood@flagstaffaz.gov
(928) 774-9541
Flagstaff Arts Council
JT Tannous
jtannous@flagartscouncil.org
Business/ED groups
Chamber of Commerce
Julie Pastrick
jpastrick@flagstaffchamber.com
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 75
Stuart McDaniel
smcdaniel@flagstaffchamber.com
Sustainable Economic Development Initiative
Eric Marcus
eric.marcus@narbha.org
928-856-7000
ECONA
John Stigmon
info@econa-az.com
(928) 707-7939
Northern Arizona Association of Realtors
Tammara Prager
tammara.prager@gmail.com
773-9300
Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance
Terry Madeksza
terry@flagdba.com
Northern Arizona Building Association
Tiffany Bociung
Flagstaff Independent Business Alliance
Katy Peterson
kpeterson@flagstaffusedsports.com
Environmental groups
Sierra Club
Alicyn Gitlin
Joe Shannon
alicyn.gitlin@sierraclub.org
Citizens Climate Lobby
David Edge
Willow Bend Center
Moran Henn
moran@willowbendcenter.org
Grand Canyon Trust
Ellen Heyn
eheyn@grandcanyontrust.org
Public health
North Country Health Care
Steve King
Flagstaff Medical Center Fit Kids
Northern Arizona Healthcare Foundation
Heather Ainardi
Heather.Ainar[email protected]om
Coconino County Public Health Services District
Mare Schumacher
Heather Williams
MSchumacher@coconino.az.gov
hwilliams@coconino.az.gov
Native Americans for Community Action
Sheena Tallis
nacawellnesscenter@nacainc.org
NAU Employee Assistance and Wellness Office
Tricia Fortin
Tricia.Fort[email protected]
928-523-1552
NAPEBT Wellness Program
Katie Wittekind
kwittekind@fusd1.org
NAU groups
NAU Office of Sustainability
Ellen Vaughan
GPR faculty
Brian Petersen
Alan Lew
Jessica R. Barnes
Ruihong Huang
Dawn Hawley
Margo Wheeler
Pamela Foti
Charles Hammersley
jessica.bar[email protected]
Ruihong.Huang@nau.edu
Margo.Wheeler@nau.edu
charles.hammersl[email protected]
Sustainable Communities faculty
Mike Caulkins
Alan Francis
Peter Friederici
Jason Matteson
Janine Schipper
Michael.Caul[email protected]du
Alan.Francis@nau.edu
Janine.Schi[email protected]
NAU Cycling Club
David Allen
Jennifer Quijada
David.Allen@nau.edu
NAU Hiking Club
Ted Martinez
ted.martine[email protected]
Run NAU
Jamie Flood
Jared Borrego
Student Health and Physical Education Club
Monica Flood
monica.eklun[email protected]
College Health Education Club
Megan Anderson
Megan.E.Anderso[email protected]
Fossil Free NAU
Jeffrey Hanlon
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 76
NAU Our Climate
Matthew Goodwin
matthew.goodwin@nau.edu
Student Health Advocacy Committee
Melissa Griffin
melissa.griff[email protected]
Res-Life Coordinator, Sustainability
Cori Cusker
cori.cusker@nau.edu
Associate Vice President
Rich Bowen
Bike Hub
Green Jacks
Sarah Holditch
Neighborhood associations
La Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Association
Jesse Dominguez
Laura Myers
flagplazavieja@aol.com
Southside Community Association
Deb Harris
deborah.har[email protected]
Sunnyside Neighborhood Association
Coral Evans
coral@sunnysideneighborhood.org
Townsite Neighborhood Association
Charlie Silver
cws720@gmail.com
Bike shops
Absolute Bikes
Anthony Quintile
anthony@absolutebikes.net
779-5969
Cosmic Cycles
info@cosmiccycles.com
928-779-1092
Flag Bike Revolution
Adam Cornette
adam@flagbikerev.com
(928) 774-3042
Flagstaff Bicycle & Fitness
Flagstaff Bikes
Adam Shimoni
aashimoni@gmail.com
928-380-2345
REI
Single Track Bikes
Kyle Hornbeck
928) 773-1862
Arizona Pedal Tours
azpedaltour[email protected]
Run Flagstaff
Vince Sherry
vince@runflagstaff.com
Government agency staff
City of Flagstaff
Coconino County
FMPO
NAIPTA
USFS
NPS
NAU
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FLAGSTAFF 77
Appendix E Stakeholder Survey
You have been selected to participate in this survey based on your expertise in the Flagstaff
Community in one or more of the following fields: economic development, public health, social
equity, quality of life, recreation, and environmental issues. As research has shown benefits to
all of the above areas with an increase in active transportation, we are seeking your input on
making active transportation a more integral part to life in Flagstaff. Please feel free to leave any
questions blank that you do not have input on, and please share with any other members of
your organization that you think would like to participate.
Active Transportation: any self-propelled, human-powered mode of transportation,
traditionally seen as walking or bicycling, but also could include rollerblades, skateboards, etc.
As all public transit trips also utilize a form of active transportation at their start and stop points,
we are also gathering input on public transit (i.e. Mountainline) in our survey questions.
1. Do you think the proposed routes will make active transportation more accessible for
commuting?
2. What do you think are the three main factors that prevent people from commuting by active
transportation?
Accessibility questions:
3. What can this community do to improve the financial barriers to active transportation?
4. What can this community do to improve the personal safety issues for active transportation?
5. What can this community do to improve education on active transportation?
6. What can this community do to make commuting by active transportation more convenient?
7. What messages about environmental benefits of active transportation can this community make
to the public?
8. What can local businesses do to improve commuting by active transportation?
9. What is your vision of a “walkable” community for Flagstaff?
10. What activities, education, or programs can the community do to increase the awareness of
health benefits of active transportation?
11. What can this community do to increase tourism based on hiking/biking/outdoor recreation?
12. What can this community do to increase active transportation for elementary school/middle
school students?
13. What can this community do to increase active transportation for high school students?
14. What can this community do to increase active transportation for college students?
15. What can this community do to increase active transportation for families?
16. What can this community do to increase active transportation for elderly population?
17. What can this community do to increase active transportation for disabled population?