An audio version of this story.

The Atlanta Regional Commission has approved its plan to make the area more friendly to cyclists and walkers.

The new plan, called “Walk. Bike. Thrive!,” aims to make biking and walking more safe by building additional bike lanes and multi-use trails, and, when possible, creating buffers against cars.

“We’re really seeing this conversation being prompted both by a younger generation as well as an older generation. Kind of squeezing it from both sides which is really one of the reasons why I think we’re going to make up ground a lot faster than anyone anticipates,” said Byron Rushing, Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner at the ARC.

Local bikers and pedestrians say that the plan is needed.

“My commute down Howell Mill Road has lots of potholes, never cleaned, and that’s common for a lot of bike lanes in Atlanta,” said Atlanta biker Mike Wild.

The ARC plans to spend more than $1 billion over the next 25 years, with funds coming from federal, state and local sources.