The Planning Commission Bicycle and Pedestrian Initiative Web page is intended to provide the public with information that will encourage Baton Rouge citizens and visitors to walk and bicycle. Our efforts support the Mayor’s Healthy City Initiative and the comprehensive plan, FUTUREBR.

In 2009 and 2013, the League of American Bicyclists designated Baton Rouge as a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community

League of American Bicyclists
In 2009, the League of American Bicyclists recognized Baton Rouge as a city that has made notable achievements and is committed to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies. In early 2013, the Planning Commission coordinated an effort with other City-Parish and State agencies, and the local bicycle advocacy groups to submit an application to re-designate Baton Rouge as a Bike Friendly City. This goal was realized on May 13, 2013 when the League announced that our Bronze Designation had been extended until 2017.

For more information about our Bronze Level designation, the League of American Bicyclists (LAB), and the Bike Friendly City Program, please visit the LAB website at www.bikeleague.org.

Bicycling
Bicycling improves health through physical activity and helps prevent air pollution caused by ordinary means of transportation. The Planning Commission is working to make Baton Rouge a safe environment for bicyclists and pedestrians. For your convenience, a link to the Baton Rouge Area Bicycle Map is provided. This map was developed in 2004 by the Capital Region Planning Commission and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. The information presented is intended to rate the “bicycle friendliness” or ease of use for all major through streets in East Baton Rouge Parish. Also, please visit the "BikeBR" online application to interact with bike facility and other related information in a user friendly online mapping interface. The City-Parish Planning Commission developed this interactive mapping tool to help determine which areas in Baton Rouge are easily accessible by bicycle. A “bikeability index” was created to measure how safe, easy, and desirable it is to bike instead of drive on our road network.

Walking
Walking is the most basic form of transportation, and everyone is considered a pedestrian. Transit or automobile trips begin and end with a walk. Oftentimes, walking is the quickest way to accomplish short trips in urban areas, and it is an important form of transportation that should not be overlooked. As required by "FUTUREBR," the Planning Commission is working to analyze the “walkability” of Baton Rouge neighborhoods. This information will assist planners to guide future development, and provide short “20-minute walks” between residential and commercial areas. To view the walkability of your neighborhood, please refer to the Walkability Analysis map.

The Planning Commission hopes that the information contained within the following Web pages will be useful to all Baton Rouge residents and visitors. For questions or additional information, please contact our office at (225) 389-3144 or email us at: planning@brgov.com.