Speak Up for Trails and Active Transportation in Alaska Transportation Plan 

Comment on the Alaska Long Range Transportation Plan 2055 (LRTP) ends on July 31. If you consider yourself an advocate for trails and/or active transportation, make sure you are heard. 

The LRTP is a statewide multimodal plan that will guide transportation policy decisions for the next 30 years. See the main plan page HERE.

Recently, the state has started to seriously include trails and active transportation in its planning. That comes in large part from people speaking out. Trails are an important part of transportation in Alaska. Not just for recreation but for access to resources and for travel off the highway system. Active transportation – walking, biking, scooters, roller blades, etc. – is also an important part of our transportation picture and should be considered. The state is heading in the right direction. If you agree, please let transportation planners know.

The Policy Framework Vision, Goals & Objectives Technical Report of the plan is open for public comments until July 31. Learn more HERE. Use the “Leave a Comment” link at the top of the page. (Note: Using this method comments are limited to 1,000 characters, though you can submit multiple times.) You can also send an email to: alaskalrtp2055@publicinput.com

Commenting on the plan may seem daunting. Please see my comments below as an example of what you can say. I wrote these up after looking at this PAGE and scrolling down to “Vision, Goals & Objectives.”

Not everyone shares my interest in both trails and active transportation. That’s fine. Feel free to steal or adapt any of my comments to express your own personal viewpoint. The most important thing is to comment. The more that state transportation planners know we care about these issues, the more they will take them into consideration. 

If you have further comments or other points of view, please feel free to leave them in the comments section of this blog post.

My Comments

(Sent via email)

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in support of the inclusion of trails and active transportation in the Alaska Long Range Transportation Plan 2055. I particularly appreciate that the planners have highlighted these aspects of transportation in two parts of the plan: Winter Roads & Trails and Active Transportation. 

Winter Roads & Trails are vital in a state that has long winters and many areas that are not connected to the highway system. People rely on trails and seasonal roads for transportation between villages and to and from larger population centers. Trails and seasonal roads also allow residents to access resources, such as for hunting, fishing, plant gathering, and recreation. I am glad to see that Winter Roads & Trails are given their own section in the LRTP. 

Active Transportation also deserves its own section in the plan. Transportation planning understandably focuses on motorized vehicles because most of us get around that way, but other modes of transportation need to be considered seriously. We should be encouraging active transportation as much as possible. It is healthier for us as individuals and for our environment. It also causes less wear and tear on our transportation infrastructure. More people using active transportation benefits everyone. 

Below are my comments specific to the “Policy Framework Vision, Goals & Objectives Technical Report.”

Goal 1: Access & Connectivity

I agree with this Goal and its Objectives. Making transportation that is “safe, reliable, and affordable” should include trails and active transportation. This is as important in rural Alaska as it is in urban Alaska, even though each community can have very different needs. Locals need to have a strong say in how those needs are met.

I would argue that Objective 1.1 (Improve multimodal connectivity between communities, including rural and non-road-connected areas) should read “Improve multimodal connectivity WITHIN AND between communities, including rural and non-road-connected areas.” Some areas of urban Alaska do not have good, safe connections for active transportation users and trail users. We need to strive to improve those connections. 

Goal 2: Safety & Reliability

I agree with this goal and its objectives. I appreciate that the goal includes the phrase “that protects all users across every mode.” Someone walking or cycling for transportation should be considered equally with someone driving a car or truck. Additionally, someone traveling by snowmachine or ATV should also be considered.

In particular, I agree with Objective 2.1 (Reduce transportation fatalities, serious injuries, and unsafe conditions across all modes) because it seeks to make transportation facilities safer for “all modes” of travel. 

I also particularly like Objective 2.2 (Expand and improve active transportation infrastructure and facilities for safe use, including walking, biking, trails, and non-motorized community-based travel). The best way to encourage more people to use active transportation is to have safer infrastructure for active transportation. 

Goal 3: Economic Competitiveness

I also agree with this goal and would emphasize that trails and active transportation are important aspects of our economy. Alaska has an abundance of wildlife and wild lands that are attractive to visitors. We have many businesses that rely on trails and active transportation. Examples include hunting and fishing guides, bike rental companies, snowmachine and mushing excursion companies, and outdoor retail stores.