Dear Editor,
You used to be able to walk or bike anywhere in Big Sky without thinking twice—no sidewalks, just a quiet road and a little trust. One of my favorite memories is riding my mountain bike to Roxy’s with my dog (leash optional), parking them both outside (unlocked), and bumping into friends (and a moose) on the way home.
But that’s changing. Traffic is picking up—even on residential roads—and I’m sure you’ve noticed.
The March 26 article on the Transportation District prioritizing walking and biking connections points to something important: there is now an active transportation plan underway to make these everyday trips safer and more comfortable. I’ve been participating on the Active Transportation Committee for over a year—an effort Bayard Dominick had the foresight to initiate—and it’s culminated in this plan now taking shape.
Too often, we talk about transportation as scattered fixes—a roundabout here, a path there. But it’s really one connected system. We have a strong bus network that needs to grow, major decisions ahead on 191 and 64, and local walking and biking connections that tie it all together.
As a civil engineer and environmental planner, I’ve seen mountain towns wait too long to make these investments. Big Sky has a chance to get ahead of it. It’s the kind of magic that keep Big Sky livable and affordable. It doesn’t cost a lot to walk or roll!
Take a look and weigh in! bigskyatp.altaplanning.cloud/
Laynee Jones
Big Sky, MT
