The Transportation Agency Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program regularly provides state and federal funding to its member agencies to develop and construct locally-sponsored bicycle and pedestrian projects that enhance the regional transportation network.

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County supports the development of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure by preparing long range plans for improvements, funding locally-sponsored projects and by administering programs supporting the maintenance of the County’s bikeways. These activities are described below. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Advisory Committee serves to advise staff and the Agency Board of Directors on these plans and programs, as well as to provide a forum for the discussion and resolution of issues related to bicycle and pedestrian transportation.

Monterey County Active Transportation Plan: The Transportation Agency for Monterey County prepared the Monterey County Active Transportation Plan (adopted June 2018), which is a long range planning document that sets forth goals and objectives for improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and identifies priorities for funding projects. The plan also identifies programs that will be conducted to promote bicycling and walking throughout the county. This plan is an important document that, when accepted by the State, allows cities and the county to be eligible and more competitive for state and federal grant funding.

Transportation Development Act 2% (TDA) Program: The Transportation Development Act (TDA) designates ¼ percent of the retail sales tax collected by the state for eligible planning, bicycle, and transit purposes. The TDA provides 2% of all Transportation Development Act funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects. The Transportation Agency for Monterey County administers the distribution of about $250,000 per year under this program. Funds are directed to regionally important projects recommended by Agency staff through a competitive selection process that occurs every three years.

Wayfinding Plan: The Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Wayfinding Plan for Monterey County provides standard guidelines for bicycle and pedestrian wayfinding signage throughout Monterey County. The goal of the Wayfinding Plan is to promote bicycling and walking as viable transportation alternatives for Monterey County residents and visitors.

Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Master Plan: The Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail is a collaborative effort between public agencies, non-profit organizations and the public to construct a trail that would span Monterey Bay from Lovers Point in Pacific Grove to Wilder Ranch in Santa Cruz. The primary purpose of the Trail is to enhance appreciation and protection of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary by promoting public use and enjoyment of its shoreline as well as provide a safe, accessible scenic trail for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other users free of automobile traffic. This Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Master Plan has been developed to articulate this vision and provide documentation of the preferred route as well as an implementation strategy for the proposed trail.

As of 2022, the majority of the trail segments in Monterey County have been constructed.  Segments north of Marina through Moss Landing are still needed in order to make the connection to Santa Cruz County. For more information about the Santa Cruz County segments of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic trail visit: https://sccrtc.org/

Janneke Strause is the Transportation Agency for Monterey County’s current Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. If you have any questions, you can reach her at (831) 775-4410, or via email at: janneke@tamcmonterey.org