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Commission replaces 'non‑motorized' with 'active transportation', delays full review of island‑wide mobility plan
Summary
Bainbridge Island’s Planning Commission unanimously replaced 'non‑motorized' with 'active transportation' across the transportation element and island‑wide mobility plan, added a balanced review policy for off‑road and on‑road facilities, and agreed to continue a fuller island‑wide mobility plan review to a later meeting with clearer notice and staff support.
The Bainbridge Island Planning Commission on March 12 voted unanimously to replace every instance of the term 'non‑motorized' with 'active transportation' in both the draft transportation element and the island‑wide mobility plan, and to add or amend policies to emphasize off‑street connectivity and multimodal planning.
Commissioners said 'active transportation' better reflects the range of human‑powered and low‑energy modes (including many e‑assist devices) and avoids excluding electric bicycles and similar devices. The motion to replace the term included an allowance for minor grammatical edits and passed without opposition.
The commission also adopted several related amendments: adding a policy that staff review NACTO/AASHTO design guidance 'when appropriate' to reflect island conditions and funding realities; asking staff to add references acknowledging planned ferry electrification and Kitsap Transit bus rapid transit coordination; and adding a TR 2.8 policy directing a balanced review of off‑road and on‑road facilities when assessing connectivity gaps and opportunities.
Concerns about public notice for the island‑wide mobility plan were raised repeatedly. Several commissioners and residents said the mobility plan had not been clearly noticed as a standalone item and asked for additional opportunity for public review; staff and commissioners agreed to carry the larger mobility plan discussion to the next available meeting where appropriate staff support and clearer notice can be provided (the commission asked staff to include the island‑wide mobility plan on the March 26 agenda with explicit notice), and the motion to continue discussion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: the terminology change — and the directive to take a balanced approach to on‑street versus off‑street facilities — will influence priorities, grant applications and design guidance the city uses for active transportation investments. The commission’s decision to delay full action on the mobility plan aims to ensure clearer public notice and staff support for deeper review.
What’s next: staff will update the transportation element language and bring the island‑wide mobility plan back to the commission on a future agenda with explicit notice and appropriate staff support for public input and technical Q&A.
