CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Bikers and walkers in Kanawha and Putnam counties can now comment on a plan that could show their communities how to keep them safer in transit.

The Regional Intergovernmental Council has posted a draft of its Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan online, where the public can view recommendations and comment until July 31.

The plan is based on a study performed by consultant Michael Baker Jr. Inc. to evaluate pedestrian and bike access and mobility in the two counties. It indicated numerous areas where roads and sidewalks could be altered or corridors built to better suit alternative transportation.

The study's first phase identified existing facilitates in areas with high pedestrian and bicycle activity. The second phase examined deficiencies and potential areas for improvement, as the council asked for feedback in several meetings with community leaders and the public.

"We hope that this study will encourage more bicycle and pedestrian use. We hope it encourages the communities to take a bigger interest," said Chris Callahan, planning director. "We also wanted to promote and encourage safety measures."

The RIC, which is a developmental agency funded by local governments, will not implement the plan, but its study should help cities identify and fix pedestrian and bicycle transportation issues.

 "What we think the plan will do is identify specific areas and projects and that could be used as a basis for applying for funds or proposing projects to be done," Callahan said. "We've found you have a much better chance of getting funded for a project if you have a plan."

In Kanawha County, 303 documented bicycle and pedestrian crashes occurred between 2003 and 2006. The study found that the highest incidence of both were within Charleston and its immediate vicinity.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Bikers and walkers in Kanawha and Putnam counties can now comment on a plan that could show their communities how to keep them safer in transit.

The Regional Intergovernmental Council has posted a draft of its Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan online, where the public can view recommendations and comment until July 31.

The plan is based on a study performed by consultant Michael Baker Jr. Inc. to evaluate pedestrian and bike access and mobility in the two counties. It indicated numerous areas where roads and sidewalks could be altered or corridors built to better suit alternative transportation.

The study's first phase identified existing facilitates in areas with high pedestrian and bicycle activity. The second phase examined deficiencies and potential areas for improvement, as the council asked for feedback in several meetings with community leaders and the public.

"We hope that this study will encourage more bicycle and pedestrian use. We hope it encourages the communities to take a bigger interest," said Chris Callahan, planning director. "We also wanted to promote and encourage safety measures."

The RIC, which is a developmental agency funded by local governments, will not implement the plan, but its study should help cities identify and fix pedestrian and bicycle transportation issues.

 "What we think the plan will do is identify specific areas and projects and that could be used as a basis for applying for funds or proposing projects to be done," Callahan said. "We've found you have a much better chance of getting funded for a project if you have a plan."

In Kanawha County, 303 documented bicycle and pedestrian crashes occurred between 2003 and 2006. The study found that the highest incidence of both were within Charleston and its immediate vicinity.

"A lot of incidents happen around population centers, but now we want to hear from places like Pinch, Elkview and Clendenin. We don't know how to reach them," said Dennis Strawn, a board member for RIC who has been involved on the study's committee.

U.S. 60 and Washington Street had the highest incidence of bicycle accidents, followed by the St. Albans area. Fifty-eight percent of pedestrian crashes in the county occurred in Charleston, with U.S. 60 and Kanawha Boulevard, Washington Street, Lee Street and Patrick Street as the highest problem roadways.

The study found 23 deficient areas for bicycles and pedestrians in Kanawha County, where sidewalks, crosswalks and bicycle lanes are needed.

In Putnam County, 34 crashes occurred within the same time period, according to the study. Ten of these involved bicycles, with Nitro, Hurricane and the Teays Valley/Scott Depot areas each having multiple incidents. The most pedestrian crashes occurred in Teays Valley/Scott Depot, followed by Hurricane.

Fifteen areas for improvement were identified in Putnam County. The study's recommendations include street-by-street explanations of problem areas, with photos. It also includes suggestions for encouraging non-vehicular transportation.

To view the report, click on the Plans tab under the Transportation menu at www.wvregion3.org. Comments on the bicycle and pedestrian plan will be evaluated and considered for inclusion in the report.

"We just urge people to comment on it," Strawn said. "For so many years, cars ruled the roads. There's nothing wrong with that, except if you're having to dodge cars because there aren't enough crosswalks."

Reach Kellen Henry at khe...@wvgazette.com">khe...@wvgazette.com or 348-5179.