The city of Washington has partnered with Trailnet Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes active living, to update a long-range plan to address bicycle and pedestrian needs throughout the city.

James Pona, of James Pona & Associates, LLC, a consultant working with Trailnet, has released a study looking at the existing conditions and projected needs for area cyclists. During the forum, the public will get a chance to review that study.

Trailnet also is seeking input before the meeting by asking community members to fill out a survey at http://trailnet.org/washington.php.

The city's bikeable-walkable plan was last updated in 1998, according to Darren Lamb, city's director of planning and engineering.

Having a plan through Trailnet allows the city to take advantage of surface transportation program enhancement funds that have been set aside in the St. Louis metropolitan region.

Funding for the study is paid for by 80 percent federal grant, 10 percent from Trailnet and a 10 percent local match.

"It's a small price to pay for the community," said Darren Lamb, director of planning and engineering.

According to Pona, the new plan makes Washington a second-generation bike facility planning community, one of about four or five in the area.

Pona previously worked with the city to develop the Rotary Riverfront trail and the city's nine-mile on-street bicycle path.

This time, the plan for Washington identifies opportunities throughout the city to create an interconnected network of bicycle routes, sidewalks, trails and road crossings.

Pona's study has shown that the projected needs for bicycle paths in Washington include about seven miles of nature trails, 1.5 miles of trails for mountain biking and 13.5 miles for multipurpose trails. He also said a good section of streets should allow cyclists to ride.

Pona estimated that about 194 children ages 10-14 and about 38 teens ages 15-16 ride bicycles in Washington based on 2007 census data.

It also was estimated that nearly 47 individuals ages 17-21 ride bicycles in Washington based on 2000 census data. No data were given for adults.

During the Aug. 26 Washington Administration Committee meeting, Mayor Dick Stratman said he would like to see the city's plan interconnected with other plans that Trailnet is working on in other communities in Franklin County.

"We might have the opportunity to look at potential improvements for better biking and hiking for the future," the mayor said.

For more information about the public forum, people may contact Darren Lamb at 636-390-1016 or Kevin Neill, Trailnet's Bike Walk planner, at 314-436-1324, extension 118, or kevinneill@trailnet.org.