Flagstaff BAC approves sending consolidated comments on regional plan; urges clearer VRU definition and trail maps

At a recent meeting, the Flagstaff Bicycle Advisory Committee voted to circulate a letter of consolidated comments on the draft regional plan, endorsing specific edits aimed at clarifying safety priorities and preserving trail access.

Committee members said the group wants a single, transportation-focused definition of “vulnerable road users” (VRUs) in the regional plan, argued for adding three Active Transportation Master Plan (ATMP) maps (forest access, single-track access, and neighborhood connectors), and asked for language that better protects alignments for the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) and the Arizona Trail/Loop Trail.

The committee said a narrowly drawn VRU definition would make it clearer that certain policies — notably policy TS 1 — are intended to prioritize pedestrians, bicyclists and users of other small personal conveyances for safety in street planning. “VRU should be defined in transportation planning terms so policy TS 1 prioritizes pedestrians, bicyclists, wheelchairs, scooters and micro‑mobility devices,” said Sam, a committee member who led the…