The following chapter describes the many related components that work together in making bicycle friendly communities. All local and regional plans should address every element, because in neglecting one or more of them, the planning goals will likely fall short of their mark. The following description of the four elements is drawn from the Colorado Guidebook and can be used to support local and regional planning.
Engineering includes facilities, maintenance, and parking.
An adequate bicycle or pedestrian transportation system is one which allows users with varying abilities to safely and efficiently travel from origin to destination. Plans should include a mix of all these facilities, and may include state highways, county, local roads, and Scenic Byways. Mountain biking facilities should be indicated and bicycle access to them be provided wherever possible. Pedestrians' needs tend to be more localized. Bicycle plans need to focus on transportation-oriented facilities as opposed to recreation facilities, although it is understood that the two sometimes overlap.