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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
TRPC is seeking a qualified consultant to help establish a long-term vision and implementation strategy for a regional bike network for the Thurston region. Learn more about the Bicycle Connectivity Strategy RFP.
Do you bike to work? Do you want to bike to work, but feel you can’t? Then this project is for you!
What’s the Bicycle Connectivity Strategy?
It’s not just about biking to work. The goal of this project is to improve our transportation network to make bicycling safer, more convenient, and more accessible throughout Thurston County.
The Bicycle Connectivity Strategy will:
- Engage the community to learn about key needs and build consensus on goals for a bicycle network
- Identify gaps in bike routes in our communities and between jurisdictions, and identify opportunities to expand bike routes to the places people want or need to travel to
- Recommend safety and efficiency improvements so that more people feel more confident bicycling on our region’s streets, roads, and trails
- Plan for future projects, including identifying project recommendations and a strategy to build safe and connected bicycle infrastructure
View the Bicycle Connections Survey Results!
During spring 2025, TRPC conducted the Bicycle Connections Survey to learn from community members about their experiences bicycling in Thurston County. We received 927 responses, including more than 400 comments. This feedback is being used to inform the project.
Why is this project important?
There is no collaborative countywide bicycle network plan. Bike lanes, multi-use trails, and other facilities have been planned and constructed a little at a time without a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to reduce significant gaps between communities. A countywide bicycle strategy will identify a network with more dedicated routes for cyclists, making the transportation system safer for more people of all skill levels to confidently ride to the places they want to go to.
Collisions involving cyclists are a risk. Since 2020, Thurston County has seen a rise in the number of collisions that result in serious injuries or fatalities. The Bicycle Connectivity Strategy will analyze crash data and identify high-risk areas for cyclists, which will help to inform recommended safety improvements.
The Thurston region is not on track to meet key environmental sustainability goals. Our region is aiming to reduce the number of car trips that people make. The Thurston region also has goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Presently, we are not set to meet either of these goals. Making it easier for more people to bike, walk, and use transit instead of traveling by car will help our region meet its environmental sustainability goals.
Who will be involved?
TRPC is leading this project with guidance from a multi-agency workgroup consisting of representatives from our cities, Thurston County, transportation leaders, and additional interested parties.
Throughout the course of the project, TRPC will also engage with community-based organizations, local school districts, bike shops, cyclists, and all community members.
What's the project timeline?
| Action Item | Anticipated Completion Date |
|---|---|
| Collect and analyze data | March 2025 |
| Community survey | April 2025 |
| Convene workgroup | June 2025 onwards |
| Develop draft Bicycle Connectivity Strategy objectives | July 2025 |
| Recruit a consultant | August – November 2025 |
| Develop draft Current Conditions Report | October – December 2025 |
| Develop draft route recommendations | Spring – Summer 2026 |
| Develop draft planning and policy recommendations | Summer – Fall 2026 |
| Develop draft implementation framework | Fall 2026 |
How is the project funded?
TRPC received a $400,000 Surface Transportation Block Grant from the Federal Highway Administration for this project.
Contact Us
-
Paul Brewster, Senior Planner
BrewsterP@trpc.org
(360) 741-2526Michael Mills, Associate Planner
MillsM@trpc.org
(360) 741-2541Chelsea Embree, Associate Planner - Engagement Specialist
EmbreeC@trpc.org
(360) 741-2516Thurston Regional Planning Council
2411 Chandler Court SW
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 956-7575