Bicycle Friendly Community

Kansas City, MO | Bronze Level

Community Highlights: Kansas City has made significant bike-friendly progress in the past few years. This began with updates to the city’s Development Code and Major Street Plan, shifting the focus from car-centric development to multi-modal inclusion. This is exemplified by the already installed 42 miles of shared-use bike path and 27 miles of singletrack, with plans for an even further expanded bicycle network.  Bicycle Parking is also now required in all new developments. Two major arterial roadway improvement projects currently underway will incorporate the City’s first “complete street.” Kansas City also has a number of encouragement programs to supplement its gorwing bicycle infrastructure. The city has partnered with Missouri Bicycle Federation to develop, promote and sponsor Bike Week and the Car Free Challenge, providing monthly prizes for individuals and teams as well as quarterly gift card drawings. The “Passport to Health” program grants students to earn points every time they bike, walk or eat fruits and vegetables.  The Share the Road Safety Task Force, led by KCMO bicycle pedestrian coordinator, represents law enforcement, public health, municipalities, and advocates. The mission of the task force is to reduce the number of bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities and crashes in the region through education and enforcement activities. Kansas City has been working closely with the DOT to construct two river crossings, eliminating a longstanding barrier separating the north and south sections of the city. The council adopted a "Bicycle Pedestrian Friendly Community Action Plan," which has been instrumental in setting infrastructure funding priorities; passing river crossing and livable streets policies; and getting facilities built.

Compelling Statistic: The city leveraged $6.6 million in local funds with nearly $9 million in federal funds, totaling $15.8 million investment for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements.

Future Plans: Kansas City intends to expand their bicycle network in the next couple of years to obtain more than 200 miles of signed bicycle routes, 54 miles of new bike lanes, 8 miles of sharrows, 5 miles of mixed-use trails and 3 more miles of single track mountain bike trail.