General Plan Update Review Committee Draft Elements Part 2 For ...

Pedestrian Circulation
Walking is the most universal form of travel. Every
personal trip involves some element of walking,
whether it is a pure pedestrian trip or combined
with other modes of travel such as transit, driving
or cycling. A pedestrian is legally defined as a person
who walks from one place to another either by foot or
using an assisted mobility device. Pedestrians include
citizens of Visalia and visitors of all ages and abilities.
The pedestrian circulation system in Visalia is mainly
comprised of sidewalks. Currently, the street environment
is mostly auto-oriented with wide roadways and
discontinuous sidewalks. In some areas, there are no
existing sidewalks or they have fallen into disrepair.
Besides standard sidewalks that have been developed
in residential and non-residential areas, several multiuse
(bike/pedestrian) trails are found throughout the
city, including the St. John’s Parkway, Mill Creek,
Goshen Avenue, and others. Visalia Unified School
District and the City of Visalia are also actively
involved in pursuing federal and state Safe Routes to
School (SR2S) grant programs that promote adequate
pedestrian facilities in neighborhoods near schools.
In addition, the City of Visalia is committed to complying
with Americas with Disabilities Act (ADA)
standards with new development and bringing nonstandard
ADA facilities into compliance.
While sidewalk capacity is generally not an issue, all
areas should be designed to a scale that accommodates
pedestrians and bicyclists (in areas where bikeways
are unavailable). Improvements in areas within
the City that currently have undersized, damaged or
no pedestrian facilities should be prioritized so that
the pedestrian system will be better connected. The
new neighborhood centers should also be designed to
be pedestrian friendly. In these areas, wider sidewalks
should be considered to accommodate increased
flows and to give preferential treatment to pedestrians.
Pedestrian-friendly facilities should also be provided
near transit stops and adjacent to medium and
higher density residential areas.
Objectives
T-O-8 Encourage walking and bicycling in Visalia
for commuting and recreational purposes,
and for improvement of public and environmental
health.
T-O-9 Promote non-motorized accessibility through
development of a connected, convenient
pedestrian and bikeway network.
T-O-10 Create a safe and feasible pedestrian, trail and
bikeway system (on- and off-street) for commuting,
recreation and other trips, serving
pedestrians and cyclists of all levels.
T-O-11 *Recognize and meet the mobility needs of
persons using wheelchairs and those with
other mobility limitations.
Policies
Bicycle Transportation and Trails System
T-P-39 Develop bikeways consistent with the Visalia
Bikeway Plan and the General Plan’s Circulation
Element.
• Provide Class I bikeways (right-ofways
for bicyclists and pedestrians
separated from vehicles) along the
DRAFT ELEMENTS
For General Plan Update Review Committee
AUGUST 2012 4-39