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Apr 83 min read

Why Sanpete County Needs Complete Bike Path Networks


In today's fast-paced world, where every moment counts, ensuring safe and efficient transportation options is paramount. Sanpete County, nestled in the heart of Utah, has the opportunity to lead the charge in creating a future where everyone can travel safely and comfortably to their destination, whether it's by foot, bike, or car.


Imagine a community where kids can pedal to school without fear, where traffic jams are a thing of the past, and where the air is clean and crisp. Picture a place where happiness thrives, where neighbors come together, and where health and fitness are valued. This vision is within reach, and it starts with planning for complete bike path networks.



In today's fast-paced world, where every moment counts, ensuring safe and efficient transportation options is paramount. Sanpete County, nestled in the heart of Utah, has the opportunity to lead the charge in creating a future where everyone can travel safely and comfortably to their destination, whether it's by foot, bike, or car. Imagine a community where kids can pedal to school without fear, where traffic jams are a thing of the past, and where the air is clean and crisp. Picture a place where happiness thrives, where neighbors come together, and where health and fitness are valued. This vision is within reach, and it starts with planning for complete bike path networks. Transportation equality is a fundamental principle that benefits us all. When we invest in bike-friendly infrastructure, we reap a multitude of rewards: Safety for All: Kids, adults, seniors – everyone deserves safe passage. Bike paths ensure that pedestrians and cyclists can travel without the risk of accidents or collisions. Reduced Traffic Congestion: By encouraging alternative modes of transportation, such as biking, we alleviate the strain on our roads and highways, reducing congestion for everyone. Improved Air Quality: With fewer cars on the road, we can breathe easier and enjoy cleaner air, benefiting both our health and the environment. Increased Happiness: Active transportation promotes a sense of well-being and satisfaction, contributing to happier, more vibrant communities. Financial Resilience: Investing in bike infrastructure can lead to long-term savings by reducing the need for costly road expansions and repairs. Community Bonding: Bike paths create opportunities for people to connect with their neighbors, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Health and Fitness: Encouraging biking and walking as viable transportation options promotes physical activity and helps combat sedentary lifestyles. Preservation of Small-Town Charm: By prioritizing bike-friendly development, we can preserve the unique character and charm of our small towns. The recent passage of HB 449 is a significant step forward in prioritizing bicycle safety in street design. This law not only enhances guidelines for pedestrian and bicyclist safety devices but also allocates funds for their implementation. With this legislation in place, there's no excuse for not planning for safe bicycle infrastructure. Learn more about HB 449. So, how do we design a winning bike path network? Here are some key principles to consider: Protective Barriers: Bike paths should be equipped with protective barriers to ensure the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. Completeness and Purpose: Bike paths should serve a clear purpose and provide connectivity to essential destinations within the community. Direct and Aesthetic Appeal: Paths should be designed to be both efficient and visually pleasing, encouraging more people to embrace biking as a mode of transportation. Convenience and Accessibility: Development should prioritize the convenience of walking and biking to everyday destinations, such as schools, parks, and shops. Safety for All Ages and Abilities: Paths should be accessible to people of all ages and abilities, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for everyone. Intersection Safety: Intersections should be designed with pedestrian and bike safety as a top priority, with features such as crosswalks and adequate signals. Moderate Speeds: Roads should be designed to encourage safe speeds, minimizing the risk of accidents and collisions. Connectivity with Surrounding Communities: Collaboration with neighboring communities is essential to creating a seamless network of bike paths and pedestrian routes. For those seeking additional planning resources, the Planning Digest is a valuable tool to guide the development of bike-friendly infrastructure. Our mission is clear: to inspire more people to ride their bikes, whether for leisure or daily commuting. By investing in infrastructure that supports safer and more comfortable biking, we set the stage for a future generation's success. Sanpete County has the opportunity to lead the way towards a brighter, more sustainable future. Let's seize this opportunity and pave the way for a bike-friendly community that benefits us all. Thank you for considering the importance of prioritizing complete bike path networks!
Good example of a bike path. Photo courtesy of Mike West, Lehi Planning Division Manager


Transportation equality is a fundamental principle that benefits us all. When we invest in bike-friendly infrastructure, we reap a multitude of rewards:


  1. Safety for All: Kids, adults, seniors – everyone deserves safe passage. Bike paths ensure that pedestrians and cyclists can travel without the risk of accidents or collisions.

  2. Reduced Traffic Congestion: By encouraging alternative modes of transportation, such as biking, we alleviate the strain on our roads and highways, reducing congestion for everyone.

  3. Improved Air Quality: With fewer cars on the road, we can breathe easier and enjoy cleaner air, benefiting both our health and the environment.

  4. Increased Happiness: Active transportation promotes a sense of well-being and satisfaction, contributing to happier, more vibrant communities.

  5. Financial Resilience: Investing in bike infrastructure can lead to long-term savings by reducing the need for costly road expansions and repairs.

  6. Community Bonding: Bike paths create opportunities for people to connect with their neighbors, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

  7. Health and Fitness: Encouraging biking and walking as viable transportation options promotes physical activity and helps combat sedentary lifestyles.

  8. Preservation of Small-Town Charm: By prioritizing bike-friendly development, we can preserve the unique character and charm of our small towns.

In today's fast-paced world, where every moment counts, ensuring safe and efficient transportation options is paramount. Sanpete County, nestled in the heart of Utah, has the opportunity to lead the charge in creating a future where everyone can travel safely and comfortably to their destination, whether it's by foot, bike, or car. Imagine a community where kids can pedal to school without fear, where traffic jams are a thing of the past, and where the air is clean and crisp. Picture a place where happiness thrives, where neighbors come together, and where health and fitness are valued. This vision is within reach, and it starts with planning for complete bike path networks. Transportation equality is a fundamental principle that benefits us all. When we invest in bike-friendly infrastructure, we reap a multitude of rewards: Safety for All: Kids, adults, seniors – everyone deserves safe passage. Bike paths ensure that pedestrians and cyclists can travel without the risk of accidents or collisions. Reduced Traffic Congestion: By encouraging alternative modes of transportation, such as biking, we alleviate the strain on our roads and highways, reducing congestion for everyone. Improved Air Quality: With fewer cars on the road, we can breathe easier and enjoy cleaner air, benefiting both our health and the environment. Increased Happiness: Active transportation promotes a sense of well-being and satisfaction, contributing to happier, more vibrant communities. Financial Resilience: Investing in bike infrastructure can lead to long-term savings by reducing the need for costly road expansions and repairs. Community Bonding: Bike paths create opportunities for people to connect with their neighbors, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Health and Fitness: Encouraging biking and walking as viable transportation options promotes physical activity and helps combat sedentary lifestyles. Preservation of Small-Town Charm: By prioritizing bike-friendly development, we can preserve the unique character and charm of our small towns. The recent passage of HB 449 is a significant step forward in prioritizing bicycle safety in street design. This law not only enhances guidelines for pedestrian and bicyclist safety devices but also allocates funds for their implementation. With this legislation in place, there's no excuse for not planning for safe bicycle infrastructure. Learn more about HB 449. So, how do we design a winning bike path network? Here are some key principles to consider: Protective Barriers: Bike paths should be equipped with protective barriers to ensure the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. Completeness and Purpose: Bike paths should serve a clear purpose and provide connectivity to essential destinations within the community. Direct and Aesthetic Appeal: Paths should be designed to be both efficient and visually pleasing, encouraging more people to embrace biking as a mode of transportation. Convenience and Accessibility: Development should prioritize the convenience of walking and biking to everyday destinations, such as schools, parks, and shops. Safety for All Ages and Abilities: Paths should be accessible to people of all ages and abilities, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for everyone. Intersection Safety: Intersections should be designed with pedestrian and bike safety as a top priority, with features such as crosswalks and adequate signals. Moderate Speeds: Roads should be designed to encourage safe speeds, minimizing the risk of accidents and collisions. Connectivity with Surrounding Communities: Collaboration with neighboring communities is essential to creating a seamless network of bike paths and pedestrian routes. For those seeking additional planning resources, the Planning Digest is a valuable tool to guide the development of bike-friendly infrastructure. Our mission is clear: to inspire more people to ride their bikes, whether for leisure or daily commuting. By investing in infrastructure that supports safer and more comfortable biking, we set the stage for a future generation's success. Sanpete County has the opportunity to lead the way towards a brighter, more sustainable future. Let's seize this opportunity and pave the way for a bike-friendly community that benefits us all. Thank you for considering the importance of prioritizing complete bike path networks!
Good example of a bike path. Photo courtesy of Melissa & Chris Bruntlett.

The recent passage of bill HB 449 (2024) is a significant step forward in prioritizing bicycle safety in street design. This new law REQUIRES bicyclist safety be "considered" in street design (in addition to pedestrian safety), enhances guidelines for pedestrian and bicyclist safety devices, and allows a portion of B&C funds be spent on these devices when appurtenant to the road. With this legislation in place, there's no excuse for not planning for safe bicycle infrastructure. Learn more about HB 449.

So, how do we design a winning bike path network? Here are some key principles to consider:


  • Protective Barriers: Bike paths should be equipped with protective barriers to ensure the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.

  • Completeness and Purpose: Bike paths should serve a clear purpose and provide connectivity to essential destinations within the community.

  • Direct and Aesthetic Appeal: Paths should be designed to be both efficient and visually pleasing, encouraging more people to embrace biking as a mode of transportation.

  • Convenience and Accessibility: Development should prioritize the convenience of walking and biking to everyday destinations, such as schools, parks, and shops.

  • Safety for All Ages and Abilities: Paths should be accessible to people of all ages and abilities, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for everyone.

  • Intersection Safety: Intersections should be designed with pedestrian and bike safety as a top priority, with features such as crosswalks and adequate signals.

  • Moderate Speeds: Roads should be designed to encourage safe speeds, minimizing the risk of accidents and collisions.

  • Connectivity with Surrounding Communities: Collaboration with neighboring communities is essential to creating a seamless network of bike paths and pedestrian routes.



Can it be safer? Are we daring someone to risk their life?
Poorly designed bike paths. Photos courtesy of Strong Towns.

For those seeking additional planning resources, our Planning/Cycling Digest is a valuable directory of books and resources to guide responsible development of bike-friendly infrastructure. City leaders, planners, engineers, and the every day person will be sure to find something they will resonate with on that list.


Our mission is clear: to inspire more people to ride their bikes, whether for leisure or daily commuting. By investing in infrastructure that supports safer and more comfortable biking, we set the stage for a future generation's success.


Sanpete County has the opportunity to lead the way towards a brighter, more sustainable future. Let's seize this opportunity and pave the way for a bike-friendly community that benefits us all.


Be sure to follow Cycle Sanpete on Instagram. We show you the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to bike paths around Utah and beyond!

Thank you for considering the importance of prioritizing complete bike path networks!


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