Active Living

Opportunities

There are several opportunities within the Bemidji area that could be improved upon to make Bemidji a community where biking and walking are safe and convenient options.

Existing Plans

• There is an opportunity to highlight the priorities from existing plans that would add the most value from an active living perspective.

The Bemidji City Center Plan

The City of Bemidji has been working with RDG Planning and Design to prepare a Master Plan for improving downtown and surrounding areas in Bemidji. An important component of this plan is connectivity between important destinations in the area. The plan also addresses the need for safer pedestrian and bicycle crossings on Highway 197 to reach the local businesses.

Lake Bemidji Non-Motorized Loop Route

This plan outlines specific strategies to complete a trail around Lake Bemidji. The vision is to create a safe and functional multi-user path that circumnavigates Lake Bemidji.

City of Bemidji Parks, Open Space, and Trail System Plan

The vision of this plan is to provide a comprehensive, balanced, and sustainable system of parks, open spaces/natural areas, trail, and support providers of recreation-oriented activities/programs for the local and regional community in as fair and cost effective manner as possible. An important component of this plan is recognition of the need for a vibrant parks, trails and open space system in Bemidji. Connectivity is also an important component of this plan.

Infrastructure/Physical Changes

• One of the best ways to promote an increase in physical activity is to provide infrastructure that is safe and accessible. There are a variety of physical changes that range from low cost improvements, such as striping on existing roadways, to the complete reconstruction of a roadway. Providing accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians is an important opportunity. A popular approach is to build multi-use trails separated from the roadway. A particularly important opportunity is to submit an application for Transportation Enhancement and Safe Routes to School for local trail connections

Policies

• Utilize local policies to promote active living
• Active living component of a future comprehensive plan for JPB
• Pursue complete streets policy

Collaboration Among Jurisdictions

• There is an opportunity for jurisdictions to collaborate on active living issues. This is particularly important on road projects and developments that will affect traffic flows and address land use to build a bike able and walk able community.

Education and Awareness

• There is an opportunity to educate the public about active living in Bemidji. It will be important to incorporate education into the development of policy, physical projects, and promotional efforts. One opportunity is to educate the public about bicycle laws. It is important for bicyclists and drivers to understand how bicyclists are supposed to behave. This will increase safety by creating fewer accidents due to biker or driver error.
• Another opportunity is to increase the number of companies that have employee wellness programs. This can be done by educating employers about the benefit of such programs or by providing businesses incentives for engaging in programs. Businesses can also offer incentives to their employees for walking or biking to work.

Marketing

There is an opportunity to increase physical activity by marketing the area to tourists who are eager to find quality places to visit.

• Web-Based Marketing through Active Living Bemidji Website (www.activelivingbemidji.com)
• Information kiosks at various locations- these would let people know how to get to key destinations in Bemidji

Challenges

Policies

A main challenge to active living in the Bemidji Area is a lack of a clear policy direction that supports active transportation. Issues that need to be addressed include, but are not limited to sidewalks, zoning and subdivision controls, accommodations for future trail connections, etc.

Lack of Sidewalks

There is a significant lack of sidewalks in residential areas in Bemidji. This poses a huge barrier for active living. The existing zoning and subdivision ordinance does not require sidewalks in new subdivisions. Developers are generally not going to build sidewalks in new development unless they are required by ordinance.

Political Will

Political will can be a barrier to active living if elected officials are not on board. Improvements that will support active living will cost money and likely need to be maintained by the City in many cases.

Climate

Winter poses a variety of challenges that go beyond cold temperatures. Plowing the roads generally results in difficult conditions for biking and walking. Lack of consistent enforcement of the City Ordinance that requires property owners to clear sidewalks in front of their property also creates barriers.