Whether the task is a citywide plan, a multimodal neighborhood plan, or a specific intersection design, Nelson\Nygaard maximizes the attractiveness and safety of cycling and walking.  We develop design requirements, quantify bicycle and pedestrian levels of service and, most importantly, balance the inevitable tradeoffs between non-motorized transportation, automobiles and other modes.
Working with cities, neighborhoods, and public parks, we identify bike and pedestrian investments that improve public safety and serve larger goals of economic development, social equity, and natural resource preservation.

Street redesign demands a blend of technical rigor and political sensitivity.  Nelson\Nygaard has successfully mediated projects where improvements stalled over competing interests, antiquated regulations, and inaccurate technical information.  Using education, consensus building, and phased approaches to implementation, we have moved plans from dissension to adoption and execution.
We help municipalities understand the complex matrix of changes to existing infrastructure, policies, and design guidelines needed for a functional pedestrian and bike network. We document weak linkages in existing pedestrian networks, prioritize locations for new infrastructure and amenities, and rewrite municipal codes and standards.

Nelson\Nygaard has led a broad range of safety education programs including the award-winning Safe Routes to Schools in Marin County and New York City.  We also conduct intensive workshops that teach city leaders about the core principles of effective pedestrian and bike planning