Wichita, Kan., has long been a city with potential for great bicycling opportunities.

The city on the Plains has a population of more than 395,000. The Greater Wichita Region contains a population of over 790,000 and is expected to grow to over 870,000 by 2035. Alongside population growth, local leaders have prioritized quality-of-life initiatives. With approval of the 2024 Wichita Bicycle Plan, the city has committed to a brighter future for cyclists, commuters and recreational riders alike.

From connecting bike lanes to creating more low-stress bikeways, the ambitious plan reinforces Wichita’s commitment to making biking safe, accessible and enjoyable for all.

According to Communications Manager Megan Lovely, the vision and foundation for 2024 Wichita Bicycle Plan were established more than a decade ago.

“The plan builds on the success of the 2013 Wichita Bicycle Master Plan and establishes a refreshed vision and goals, an updated long-term bikeway network, a priority bikeway network and a series of action steps aimed at reducing barriers to bicycling and making it safer, more comfortable, and more convenient for people of all ages and abilities to bike for transportation and recreation in Wichita,” she said.

Among the highlights are more than 80 miles of new bike lanes over the next 10 years, connecting bike lanes outside of the city and creating low-stress bikeways.

With respect to the latter aspect, the idea is that the bikeways will provide routes that are safe and comfortable even for inexperienced cyclists or families. By emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility, Lovely said the plan aims to encourage more people to take up biking as a transportation and recreation option.

What makes the project especially meaningful is that a significant part of the 2024 Wichita Bicycle Plan’s development is indebted to public engagement. The planning team carried out a robust engagement effort to gather input from a broad range of stakeholders in Wichita throughout the planning process.

“Planning teams worked to ensure that the plan reflects the input of a broad and representative range of residents,” she said. “About 2,000 Wichita residents participated in surveys, meetings and other feedback opportunities. Their invaluable insights contributed to the detailed recommendations and goals outlined in the document.”

Lovely is confident that this inclusive approach will result in goals and strategies tailored to the unique needs of Wichita’s neighborhoods and residents, allowing the plan to address niche challenges and opportunities.

Safety also takes center stage in the 2024 Wichita Bicycle Plan. A commitment to “road diets” – a strategy that reallocates roadway space to benefit all types of transportation modes, including cycling – is among the measures in place designed to reduce collisions, improve cyclist safety and promote mobility equity.

Beyond safety, the plan highlights how improved bicycling infrastructure boosts the quality of life for residents. For instance, better air quality, reduced traffic congestion and more opportunities for outdoor exercise and recreation mean the benefits of a bike-friendly Wichita extend to all people, not just cyclists.

Lovely acknowledged the importance of learning from best practices in other cities while tailoring strategies to Wichita’s unique urban layout. Although plans and studies from leading bike-friendly cities provided inspiration and guidance, Lovely said the recommendations were rooted in Wichita’s specific characteristics and community needs. This approach ensured that the solutions would resonate with residents and work effectively in the local context.

Of course, progress often has a price tag. Although no direct funding is tied to the adoption of the plan, Lovely said much of its implementation will likely be supported by a $458,735 federal grant the city received in 2022, along with an additional $91,747 contribution from the city itself. The Wichita City Council will play an essential role in deciding how that funding is allocated to various elements of the plan.

As she noted, the plan serves as a guide for recommending projects for the city’s capital improvement program and operating budgets. While future funding needs remain a consideration, approval of the plan in January signals a commitment to continually improving bicycling infrastructure and policies – all of which is to say that Wichita is entering a new chapter in its efforts to prioritize biking as a mode of transportation and recreation.

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