City of Tupelo
Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan
Welcome! The City of Tupelo is in the process of writing a pedestrian and bicycle accessibility plan. Residents identified the need for more sidewalks and bike paths as one of their top priorities for the new comprehensive plan adopted in 2008. The proposed plan will make Tupelo a safer, more attractive place to walk and ride a bicycle.
The City of Tupelo Department of Development Services is working with the Public Works Department and other government officials to create a plan that will benefit a number of users. Based on the results of a bicycle survey (To view the results from the Bike Survey CLICK HERE) and multiple public meetings, the city has identified top priorities of Tupelo residents. These include a more complete sidewalk network that links destinations such as schools, downtown, and the North Mississippi Medical Center with surrounding neighborhoods. It also includes creating a network of on-street bike paths and separate trails for cyclists who are commuting to work, riding to parks, and training for races.
The Department of Development Services anticipates having a draft plan in place by the end of the year so that routes may be planned in conjunction with work that the Major Thoroughfare Committee will undertake in 2010. The city will use the plan to apply for federal funding to pay for improvements.
The implementation of this pedestrian and bicycle plan depends in large part on the support of Tupelo residents. There are many challenges involved in implementing residents’ goals. Motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians may need to be educated about their rights and responsibilities on the street. The city needs volunteers for community events such as a carfree street festival or free cycling instructions at a school or park. Painting bike lanes, laying concrete for sidewalks, and purchasing right-of-way to widen streets or connect paths will be expensive. If you would be interested in volunteering to serve on a resident committee to raise awareness of the need for more pedestrian and bicycle access in Tupelo, please contact Renee Autumn Ray, Senior Planner, at (662) 841-6520 or rray@ci.tupelo.ms.us.
UPDATE
The City of Tupelo has completed a draft of its proposed Walking and Biking Master Plan. The plan outlines a number of options for where and how to build pedestrian and cycling improvements in the City of Tupelo and how to fund new infrastructure. Public feedback will help city employees and City Council members determine any changes that need to be made and make the plan stronger and a better reflection of what residents want and need.
This draft is posted on the City of Tupelo website here, or the Department of Development Services website here.
The City will be holding a public meeting for feedback and discussion of this proposed plan on Thursday, August 5, at 6:00pm in City Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall. The public is encouraged to view the plan online or come to the third floor of City Hall, Department of Development Services, to request a printed copy. Please contact Renee Ray, 841-6510 (office), 687-0937 (cell), or rray@ci.tupelo.ms.us, with any questions or comments.
The Walking and Biking Master Plan was recommended as part of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is the primary document guiding the future of development in Tupelo. City staff, council members, and planners worked with residents to assess Tupelo’s current status, shape a vision for the future, and determine what needs to happen to achieve that vision. Residents identified the central idea of the comprehensive plan: choose a compact form of growth that is both environmentally responsible and consistent with the needs of the public school system. All of the four major recommendations to achieve that goal are supported by this Walking and Biking Master Plan. They are
Commit to making long-term investments in existing neighborhoods.
Establish a working partnership between the city and Tupelo Public Schools.
Plan and fund improvements for pedestrian and bike travel.
Organize and fund a greenspace program.
When they are implemented, the goals in the Comprehensive Plan and the Walking and Biking Master Plan will improve the quality of life for the residents of Tupelo and help the City maintain its position as one of the most attractive areas to live in Mississippi and the Southeast.