About the Study
Connecting communities through a regional vision for walking and biking
The CORE MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Study is a regional planning effort led by the Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (CORE MPO) to improve safety, connectivity, and accessibility for people walking and biking across the Savannah metropolitan region.
Over the past several years, many municipalities within the CORE MPO region have completed their own bicycle, pedestrian, and trail plans. This study builds on those efforts by compiling existing data, completing an inventory of existing sidewalks, trails, and bikeways, and developing a unified regional plan for future investments.
By "stitching the region together", the CORE MPO aims to create a connected network of walking and biking connections that links neighborhoods, schools, parks, and destinations. The goal is to make active transportation safer and more accessible for everyone.
Why It Matters
This assessment highlights where gaps exist, helps the region prioritize improvements, and positions communities to be eligible for future funding opportunities for projects.
Explore Draft Recommendations
Building on community feedback and technical analysis, the study team has identified potential bicycle and pedestrian improvements across the CORE MPO region. Explore the draft recommendations below before sharing your feedback.
Draft recommendations are preliminary and subject to further evaluation and public input. Inclusion does not indicate project approval or funding.
Help Shape the Vision
Phase 2: Review Draft Recommendations & Share Your Feedback
Thank you to everyone who participated in the first phase of public engagement! Based on community input and an evaluation of existing walking and biking conditions, the CORE MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Study has developed draft recommendations for future improvements across the region.
Now we want to hear from you again! After exploring the draft recommendations above, share your priorities, identify additional opportunities, and help refine the regional vision for safer, more connected walking and biking.
Public feedback is open through November 15, 2026.
Project Schedule
Phase 1: Existing Facilities Inventory
Collect and map existing sidewalks, trails, and bike facilities to build a baseline of current conditions.
June 2025 - December 2026
Phase 2: Needs Assessment & Visioning
Identify gaps and challenges in multimodal network - transportation systems that integrate walking, biking, and public transit. Public feedback through surveys.
January 2026 - July 2026
Phase 3: Plan Development
Potential projects and strategies will be developed and refined through continued stakeholder and community input.
July 2026 - September 2026
Phase 4: Final Recommendation
The study will present a unified regional plan and priority improvements informed by public engagement and technical analysis.
October 2026 - December 2026
Public Engagement Activities
Public Open Houses
As part of the first phase of public engagement, CORE MPO hosted five public open houses across the region in April and May 2026.
These meetings provided opportunities for community members to learn about the study, share local walking and biking concerns, and identify potential improvements.
-
Savannah/Chatham County: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | Southwest Chatham Library Auditorium
-
Islands/Chatham County: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | Islands Library Community Meeting Room
-
Effingham County: Thursday, April 23, 2026 | Effingham County Library Community Meeting Room
-
Savannah/Chatham County: Monday, May 4, 2026 | Cloverdale Community Center
-
Richmond Hill/Bryan County: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | Wetlands Education Center
Thank you to everyone who participated! Feedback collected during these meetings helped inform the study's needs assessment and development of draft recommendations.
Community Engagement Pop-Ups
Public intercepts are pop-up engagement opportunities where the study team met community members at local events, meetings, and gatherings throughout the region. These activities provided opportunities to collect feedback on walking, biking, and transportation needs directly from residents.
The feedback gathered helped identify community priorities and informed the development of the study's draft recommendations.
Community Events & Outreach
The study team participated in community events and outreach activities between November 2025 and May 2026, including meetings, neighborhood gatherings, and regional events across the CORE MPO area. Participation in outreach events for this study included the following:
-
ParentU Event - Heard Elementary | Savannah | November 22, 2025
-
Healthy Savannah Steering Committee | Savannah | February 11, 2026
-
Gears & Grub Food Truck & Car Show | Effingham County | March 7, 2026
-
Society of Women Engineers “Girls Engineer It Day” | Garden City | March 7, 2026
-
Savannah ACTion Team Meeting (Multiple) | Savannah | Spring 2026
-
Virtual ParentU Event | Virtual | April 4, 2026
-
West Chatham Family Tailgate Party | Pooler | April 18, 2026
-
Garden City Community Group Meeting | Garden City | April 23, 2026
-
Earth Day Savannah | Savannah | April 24, 2026
-
Healthy Savannah Faith Walk | Lake Mayer | May 3, 2026
Contact Us
Have questions or feedback about the CORE MPO Bicycle & Pedestrian Facility Study? We’d love to hear from you!
Use the contact form to send a message directly to the project team.