Increase dedicated bike lanes, pedestrian and transit facilities in the existing right-of-way, focusing on moving people rather than exclusively single-occupancy vehicles.
Historically, public infrastructure has been focused on creating the easiest and fastest means of transit for single-occupancy vehicles. This resulted in abundant wide lanes of paved asphalt, but limited pathways for pedestrians, cyclists or transit riders. However, an increasing number of people use these streets in different ways; some by personal choice, others because of various constraints. There are many benefits of alternative transportation, such as biking, walking and public transit, some of which are illustrated in the Lexington Area Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan 2018. The study showed 30% of all car trips could be easily covered by a 10-minute bike ride or a 30-minute walk. Providing a safe and comfortable environment for non-vehicle travelers is essential to meet those needs.
In order to provide equity to all Lexington residents, city infrastructure must be required to ensure enough space is granted for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders, within the right-of-way. New rights-of-way should be designed for all users from the outset, but it is also important to retrofit existing facilities to correct for the years of emphasis placed on the single-occupancy vehicle.