“The idea is that the existing street network would be evaluated to see if bikeways should be added, or (if the) trail system should be extended,” said Todd Sneathen, director of public works for East Lansing. “It’s a comprehensive look at the system to see what would make sense to construct.”

A subcommittee, which consists of two members from four of the city’s commissions, was formed to come up with goals and objectives for the plan last fall, Sneathen said.

One of the main ideas that came out of the subcommittee’s meetings was that there are two different kinds of bicyclists and pedestrians, and there almost needs to be two separate plans for these, Sneathen said.

“Some are looking to do it recreationally, and some are commuting,” he said.

The proposal for a nonmotorized transportation plan was generated from controversy during the past couple of years about whether the configuration of Hagadorn Road should be changed to include bike lanes, Councilmember Nathan Triplett said.

The road would have been converted from four lanes to three with a bike lane, but it was ultimately decided to not make any changes, Sneathen said.

“The thought behind (the nonmotorized transportation plan) is that instead of waiting until we’re in the middle of rebuilding a road to have these discussions, (we could) have a plan up front before the projects start, so we could actually build it into the roadway,” he said.

English and Spanish junior Elizabeth Butler said she thinks it would be a fantastic idea.

“Green transportation is really popular right now,” she said.

“In the university, there are already a lot of people with bikes who would love to travel that way, and cars are expensive.”

More pathways would not only be helpful for students getting from where they live to campus, but they would benefit all residents, Triplett said.

“If you’re out on (Burcham Drive) on any given morning, you’ll see East Lansing residents on their bikes commuting, or walking their kids to school,” he said.

The next step in the plan is to ask several consulting firms to give the city information about how they would develop a plan like this, Sneathen said. He said he hopes to have the requests out by the end of the year.

“It’s good for the environment, good for the health of citizens and it makes the community more livable,” Triplett said.