Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan update is topic of meetings

Arkansas officials will start seeking public input next week in its push to update the master plan for making the state friendlier to bicyclists and pedestrians.

The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department has hired Silver Spring, Md.-based Toole Design Group to help it gather public opinion and draft a fresh blueprint for state agencies, local governments and affiliated organizations to work together to create and maintain safe places for Arkansans to bicycle and walk.

The state Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was developed in 1998, and highway officials say nationwide best practices for providing for safe walking and wheeling have evolved considerably since then.

The first meeting will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday in the Legends Room of the Jack Stephens Center on the University of Arkansas at Little Rock campus. A presentation focusing on central Arkansas will start at 6:15 p.m., highway officials said.

In Northwest Arkansas, a meeting is set for 6-8 p.m. April 3 in the Sam's Club Community Room of the Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.

More public meetings will be announced as they're scheduled, highway officials said. Planning and draft development are set to run through early 2015.

Additional information on the state Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan can be found here.

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