Bikeways and sidewalks add to a healthy lifestyle while reducing neighborhood congestion, improving air quality and energy conservation, not to mention fuel cost savings. While the volume of pedestrian travel is much lower in the suburban and rural portions of Washoe County, it is still an important mode of travel, particularly for children going to and from school and recreation facilities. Pedestrian access to public transit from daily living activity areas are also important, e.g., travel to food stores, healthcare, schools, shopping areas, etc. Note that the following directly impact bicycle and pedestrian data:

• Seasonal weather (rain, wind, snow)
• Seasonal temperatures
• Air quality impacted by wild fires
• Gasoline prices
• Weekday vs. weekend traffic
• Bike lanes or sidewalks
• Wheelchair access
• Bicycle parking facilities

The Reno-Sparks Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan (part of the Regional Transportation Commission’s (RTC) Regional Transportation Plan) aims at establishing a well-connected bicycling and walking network throughout Washoe County with safe and accessible infrastructure, which in turn, encourages an active, healthy lifestyle, reducing automobile traffic, with its associated noise, pollution and congestion.