After completing the WalkWorks Capacity-Building Pre-Planning Program earlier this year, West Reading Borough received grant funding from the WalkWorks program sponsored by DCNR and the Department of Health to develop an Active Transportation Plan. The funding is provided by the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over the coming year the Borough will be meeting as a Steering Committee to discuss, with a hired consultant, our ideas for developing a sustainable, walkable, healthy community.
The Borough is in the process of hiring a consultant and is looking to assemble the Steering Committee. This group will be collecting data, mapping out existing conditions, gathering public input, and developing the Transportation Plan. Stay tuned for opportunities to weigh in through a survey, interactive mapping, a public forum, and other engagement opportunities.
Active transportation refers to walking, riding a bike or other micromobility device, using a wheelchair, or accessing transit to get to everyday destinations. Active transportation is or should be a regular part of everyone’s day, but in many cases, there are physical barriers to being able to get from place to place safely other than by driving. Planning for active transportation looks for ways to make communities safer, more accessible, and more connected along inviting networks of sidewalks, trails, shared use paths, and bike lanes. Every community is different and needs to develop an active transportation plan suited to its location, population, needs, and aspirations. When more people have more options for getting where they need to go safely, it makes for healthier communities, both reducing the risk of crashes and of chronic health conditions.
Watch this page for future notifications.
For more information about WalkWorks, please email pawalkworks@padowntown.org.
For more information about the West Reading Borough Active Transportation Planning process, please email info@westreadingborough.org.
The following are links to additional resources about active transportation: