Regional Transportation Options
Blue Ridge Commuter Connections
Blue Ridge Commuter Connections is Western North Carolina's commuter assistance program, with ideas and resources to assist individuals looking for easier and different ways to commute to and from work. The program has resources on bicycling, walking, transit options, carpooling and related programs and events. It also has resources for employers interested in promoting transportation alternatives (e.g., employer and tax benefits, successful models, local resources).
Safe Routes to Schools
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a national and international movement to create safe, convenient, and fun opportunities for children to bicycle and walk to and from schools. The program has been designed to reverse the decline in children walking and bicycling to schools. Safe Routes to School can also play a critical role in reversing the alarming nationwide trend toward childhood obesity and inactivity.
Strive Not to Drive
Strive Not to Drive is an annual event to encourage people to try using transportation alternatives other than driving a car for a day or a few days of the week. The event occurs each year in May – this year’s dates are May 16-20, 2011. Organizers hope that the event will inspire people to use alternatives tried during the week, throughout the year.
Regional Transportation Planning
Land of Sky Regional Council undertakes transportation planning for a five-county region, including Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania Counties. Local government members participate in transporation planning through their membership in Land-of-Sky Rural Planning Organization, French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization, and through involvement in other transportation planning projects.
French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization
The French Broad River MPO is a partnership between local and state government that makes decisions about transportation planning in urbanized areas and meets planning requirements established by federal authorizing legislation for transportation funding. Local governments belonging to the MPO are Buncombe, Haywood and Henderson and Madison Counties, and Asheville, Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Canton, Clyde, Flat Rock, Fletcher, Hendersonville, Laurel Park, Maggie Valley, Mars Hill, Mills River, Montreat, Waynesville, Weaverville, and Woodfin.
Land of Sky Rural Planning Organization
The Land of Sky Rural Planning Organization (LOSRPO) is a voluntary organization of local governments working cooperatively with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and local officials to enhance transportation planning opportunities for rural areas in our region. Local governments belonging to the RPO are Buncombe, Haywood Madison and Transylvania Counties, and the municipalities of Brevard, Hot Springs, Marshall, and Rosman.
Blue Ridge Bike Plan
Blue Ridge Bike Plan is a regional bicycle planning study for a seven-county region including Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania. The study was funded with a grant from NCDOT and is expected to be finished in June 2013.