Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is encouraging people to participate in an ongoing survey and share their input on the Bicycle Connectivity Strategy, a comprehensive planning effort aimed at making bicycles a safer and more convenient option for people in Thurston County.
The project aims to improve the transportation network to make bicycling safer, more convenient and more accessible throughout Thurston County.
The strategy is being funded with a $400,000 Surface Transportation Block Grant from the Federal Highway Administration.
Currently, there is no collaborative countywide bicycle network plan. Bike lanes, multi-use trails and cycling facilities have been developed piecemeal without coordinated planning across agencies, creating connectivity gaps between communities.
The Bicycle Connectivity Strategy will identify and address those gaps, and recommend a network of safe, dedicated bike routes that help people reach key destinations, such as schools, jobs, parks and transit hubs.
TRPC, with guidance from a multi-agency workgroup, is leading the effort, which includes data analysis, public engagement and coordinated planning across jurisdictions.
Collisions involving cyclists have increased in Thurston County since 2020, with more incidents leading to serious injuries or fatalities. The strategy will analyze crash data to identify high-risk areas and guide the development of targeted safety improvements.
In addition to improving safety, the project is tied to the region's climate goals. The strategy supports efforts to reduce the number of car trips and curb greenhouse gas emissions by making biking a more attractive alternative to driving.
TRPC planners say the region is currently not on track to meet these sustainability goals, and shifting more trips to bicycles is essential to closing that gap.
TRPC will work with a wide range of stakeholders throughout the project, including city and county governments, transportation agencies, school districts, bike shops, cyclists and all community members.
5 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
JW
Untold gobs of money and work towards bike lanes that no one uses. But it makes people feel good so I guess it's money well spent.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Report this
JulesJames
Bicycles aren't mainstream commuter transportation and never will be. Its 3% of the marketplace. Everything else is turning public roadways into an LA Fitness cycle track at taxpayer expense. We've spent a century investing in automobiles so fender-benders aren't lifestyle altering. When the same can be said about bicycles, then that 3% might grow. Unless carrying passengers and cargo is generally deemed the primary priority. Then we are back to 3%.
Thursday, June 19, 2025 Report this
Porter
Just add bicycle green to Martin Way and call it a day. Hey hey.
Thursday, June 19, 2025 Report this
HappyOlympian
very few ride bikes all seasons, big hills in many areas with dense populations.....what a fluffy waste of time and tax money
Thursday, June 19, 2025 Report this
chongo
As one of the 3% I have to say I understand the rule of majority but at the same time wonder if the availability of alternate ways of moving around is such a bad thing. We all aspire to good health and open roads, I think, and for me bike lanes and dedicated safety zones are a good fit. And I thank the Thurston Regional Planning Council for what they are doing.
Friday, June 20, 2025 Report this