Ask “what has already been done?” to promote safe and active transportation.

• How is active transportation addressed in our county general plan?
• How is active transportation considered when determining public works project priorities?
• Has the county board of supervisors considered minimum allocations to active transportation funding?
• Have I heard about challenges and opportunities from knowledgeable staff in planning, public works or law enforcement?
• How is active transportation addressed by regional planning agencies?
• How is our board linked to city and regional transportation agencies?  Has our liaison reported on active transportation priorities and investments to our board of supervisors?
• What community-based organizations have studied the situation and developed recommendations?

Set Direction and Establish Structure

• Build a shared understanding on your board and within your county of the benefits of active transportation. Back your beliefs with research.  Start with www.activelivingresearch.com.
• Incorporate active transportation goals and plans into your planning processes.  Opportunities include updates to the county’s general plan and any specific plans for areas within your county, which may include a climate action plan, bicycle master plan or pedestrian plan.  More information about different City, County, School and Regional Plans here.
• Ensure that zoning and parking codes are in alignment with active transportation goals.
• Encourage collaboration across local efforts to promote resident health and safety.
• Include active transportation in infrastructure planning, financing and resource allocations, with a particular focus on those areas around schools in unincorporated areas where the county acts as the local jurisdiction and provides the transportation infrastructure.
• Where needed, assign responsibility for assessing and developing active transportation recommendations to a collaborative body that represents interests of all residents. Include city leaders, business, schools, health, law enforcement, and pedestrian and bicycle organizations. 

Walk Your Talk

• Ask the appointed board liaison to your county or regional transportation planning agency to champion this issue.
• Invest and advocate for projects that support active transportation. 
• Promote and participate in active transportation events.
• Model physical activity.  Host walking constituent meetings. Create a challenge to fellow board members. Clock and post your walking and bicycling miles. 
• Request regular active transportation progress reports to the board.