The Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG), in partnership with the Cities of Elkhart and Goshen, received a grant from the Indiana State Department of Health Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity to develop a bicycle and pedestrian master plan for both communities. MACOG retained Alta Planning + Design and Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group to guide and facilitate the project. The process began with a review of existing conditions in each city. An inventory of existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities in both communities included field visits to verify conditions as well as a walking and bicycle assessment for each city. An evaluation of related existing plans, policies and programs in the area was also completed. Existing data that was assessed included bicycle level of traffic, crash data and demand analysis.

An advisory committee of local stakeholders met at key points of the process and provided perspective on past achievements in the area, helped identify priority improvement areas, and provided feedback on recommendations. In addition, the public provided input on existing conditions and recommendations through an online survey and web-based comment map as well as three public open house sessions. Recommendations for infrastructure improvements and supporting policies and programs based on the data and feedback were created. These recommendations were then prioritized based on criteria developed in conjunction with the advisory committee. Ultimately, recommendations for increasing the infrastructure to support bicycle and walking facilities were created for each community and organized in the areas of Education, Encouragement, Enforcement and Evaluation. The plan goals indicate that both Elkhart and Goshen intend to obtain higher certification levels in the Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) and Walk Friendly Community (WFC) recognition programs.