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BRIDGING THE GAP: ENHANCING EQUITABLE FIRST AND LAST MILE ACCESS TO THE BAY TRAIL
The San Francisco Bay Trail spans over 350 miles of walking and cycling paths, serving as a vital component of the Bay Area’s active transportation network by promoting recreation, sustainable mobility, and access to community resources. However, many underserved communities lack adequate first- and last-mile access to completed sections of the trail. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) prioritizes closing physical gaps in the network through its Bay Trail Gap Closure Implementation Plan (BTGCIP) while also working with various partners to enhance equitable access to existing segments. Both efforts require significant resources and collaboration across agencies and community groups.
Recognizing that gap closure has already been widely studied, this research investigates the benefits of improving first- and last-mile connectivity to existing Bay Trail segments, with a focus on underserved communities in select Bay Area cities: Richmond, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Oakland, within Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
Using a mixed-methods approach, including a literature review, geospatial analysis, on-site observations, stakeholder interviews, and community feedback from MTC’s Bay Trail Equity Strategy Initiative, this study identifies barriers to access and explores design strategies and policy interventions. Expected outcomes include a toolkit of design strategies and policy recommendations to enhance connectivity for underserved communities (equity-priority areas and communities of concern), aligning with regional goals for sustainable transportation and environmental justice. This project aspires to provide practical solutions that can inform similar efforts in other regions, contributing to the broader discourse on equitable and sustainable mobility.
