The Des Moines Area MPO’s Year 2030 Long-Range Transportation Plan promotes the development and the preservation of a multimodal, intermodal transportation system that facilitates the safe and efficient movement of people and goods and identifies existing and future bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Central Iowa and the Des Moines metropolitan area stand at the threshold of becoming a prime destination for on and off-road bicycle and pedestrian facilities.  Situated in the middle of the United States in what is commonly referred to as the Heartland, the region is fast developing into a world-class commuter and recreational trails system.  To be ranked among the foremost recreational trails in the world, successful bicycle and pedestrian facilities must consider people’s mobility and safety needs.  While not everyone is a bicyclist but all are pedestrians, a standard of excellence for both groups involves access to all trail destinations, informational markings, signage, proper engineering design standards, and funded trails that are of the highest order: world-class.

Central Iowa and the Des Moines metropolitan area has a high quality of life and is a wonderful place to work and live.  The region is continually growing and expanding with new jobs being created, businesses locating here, families moving here, and children growing up here in central Iowa communities.  The Bike-Ped Roundtable recognizes the importance and many needs relating to bicycle and pedestrian modes of transportation.  Walking and bicycling are two of the oldest, most efficient, and cheapest forms of transportation, and have always had a significant impact on the development and functionality of communities and regions around the world.

The Des Moines Area MPO and Central Iowa Regional Planning Alliance (CIRTPA) are aware of the significance of creating and expanding opportunities for bicycle and pedestrian transportation facilities in central Iowa .  Through this increased awareness, the Central Iowa Bicycle-Pedestrian Roundtable, the Des Moines Area MPO and CIRTPA staffs are in the process of preparing a Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan for central Iowa .

The primary purpose of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan is to identify ways to enhance and to expand the existing network of pedestrian, bikeway, and trails system; to connect gaps in the system; to promote economic development for the communities; to integrate incentives for increasing bicycling and walking into community policies and practices; to integrate best practices for bicycle and pedestrian facility development; to develop bicycle and pedestrian programs designed for children and adults; to establish bicycle and pedestrian safety programs; to increase signage and communications media; and more.

In November 2006, the Central Iowa Bicycle-Pedestrian Roundtable held three public input meetings across the eight county region.  The purpose of the public input meetings was to seek information from interested individuals expressing their views, identifying goals, offering suggestions and asking questions on bicycling and walking issues in central Iowa .  Through an open forum format, topics included:

• Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the existing bicycling and pedestrian facilities;
• Elements missing in the current bicycle and pedestrian system;
• Improvements to be made within the bicycle and pedestrian system;
• Future directions;
• Facility improvements to encourage one to bicycle or walk more; and,
• Role governmental entities can take.

Click below to view:

Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian User Survey (PDF)
Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian User Survey Summary (PDF)
Des Moines Area MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Map (PDF)
CIRTPA Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Map (PDF)