The commission asked staff to choose and apply a single definition of “vulnerable road user” throughout the draft Flagstaff Regional Plan, and to place that definition consistently (for example, in the glossary or at first reference). The commission did not adopt a single wording during the meeting; instead it directed staff to return with a recommended definition.

Transportation staff and commissioners discussed available definitions, including a technical Federal Highway Administration phrasing and a simpler, Metro Plan–style definition. City transportation staff emphasized the need to ensure the definition used in the regional plan aligns with other local plans and guidance; Paul Mood and Stephanie Santana (transportation staff) and Martin Entz participated in the discussion. Commissioner Mary Norton and others asked for consistent usage wherever the term appears.

Commission discussion highlighted two different approaches: a technical definition that treats vulnerable road users as non‑motorists lacking vehicle protection (pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, users of mobility aids) and a broader plain‑English definition that includes people who, because of age or disability, are at greater risk even when using vehicles. As Martin Entz said in the meeting, extending the definition to include people who are elderly or very young could change how the policies are interpreted.

Outcome: The commission voted (by consensus) that staff should coordinate a single, clear definition and apply it consistently throughout the plan — either in the glossary or at the first in‑text reference — and return with that recommendation ahead of council review.

Why it matters: The chosen definition affects how the plan prioritizes transportation investments (for example, crossings, sidewalks, bike lanes) and determines the populations prioritized under “vulnerable road users.” A narrower or broader definition can change policy scope and implementation priorities.

Source: Discussion recorded Sept. 29, 2025, Flagstaff Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.